2026 in Historic Racing

Part 1/2 – Breaks Out of the Cocoon

For the past fifteen years or so, historic racing has relied on a well-established model: generalist events bringing together cars from all eras. This formula, which has proven its worth, is now showing its limits. In 2026, a new cycle begins—a small revolution in the historic racing world.

It usually takes about fifteen years for a car, once obsolete in modern racing, to begin its second life in historic events. Since the early 2000s, this cycle has held true: first with the return of Group C cars, then LMP-GT1-GT2, and, as of last year, GT3 (with Motor Racing Legends). It’s a natural progression.

But while new grids regularly emerge, the older ones do not disappear. Yet event timetable aren’t infinitely expandable—even with night races.

THE END OF ISOLATIONISM

To accommodate the two new 2026 grids—GT3 Revival Series and Legends of Le Mans—Peter Auto had to rethink its operations. With no space left in its traditional meetings (Spa-Classic, Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or, Dix Mille Tours…), the organiser will now place them as support races for World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge events. A page turns: historic racing leaves its isolation and rejoins the modern paddock, much like twenty years ago when Classic Endurance Racing preceded the Le Mans Series.

This paradigm shift has two major drawbacks:

  1. Many competitors have become accustomed to making their race weekends plural, entering several grids — sometimes up to four. With this format, they’ll spend less time on track each weekend (3h30 for Legends of Le Mans; 3h40 for the GT3 Revival).
  2. On the budget side, this change will also have a significant impact on preparers, who will no longer be able to offset their logistical costs through multiple entries across several grids.

Will the exceptional prestige offered by a WEC or GTWC meeting compensate for these two constraints? This is one of the key issues to keep an eye on in 2026, and even more so in 2027, when the initial excitement will have worn off.

TWO GIANTS RETHINK THEIR FORMAT

To accommodate the new grids, two major historic events will split into two versions starting in 2026, each following a different strategy.

The Silverstone Festival will give birth to two distinct gatherings: CarFest, aimed at families (with concerts, exhibitions, and parades), and HRDC Classic, for purists (with racing, racing, and more racing).

Le Mans Classic will take on a different, chronological structure: Le Mans Classic Heritage for cars from 1923 to 1975; Le Mans Classic Legend for cars from 1976 to 2015. These two versions—organised alternately—will they achieve the same success with fans and media? One thing is certain: those who remember Jaguar D-Types, Ford GT40s, or Matra 650s are fewer and fewer… and nostalgia doesn’t pass down easily. Once again, we’ll have to wait until 2027 and the first edition of Le Mans Classic Heritage to see whether this choice proves successful.

Scroll to Top