HISTORIC RACING
This shift has put family-run efforts like theirs at a disadvantage, as professional teams and wealthier entrants continue to push the boundaries of performance and preparation. Beyond financial barriers, the nature of competition itself has shifted. Andrew reflects on how their Chevron’ s competitiveness has declined over time:“ We found with the Chevron, when we first started racing, on a good day, it could be a top five finisher. Progressively, people went more for the faster cars.” This trend has been exacerbated by an influx of professional drivers and younger, more aggressive racers.“ There are some very young, very fast professional drivers in there. So again, me sharing with Mark, I am either a handicap to him or any other young driver.” The sport has become more focused on winning at all costs, a mentality that contrasts with the Owens’ traditional approach.“ There’ s been a tendency in Masters Racing Club for a lot of people to want to win races,” Andrew notes, highlighting the cultural shift that has been observed across the wider historic racing fraternity.
Andrew with long-time team member‘ Old Boy Pete’ at Zandvoort
While these changes have altered the culture of Masters Racing Club, its international expansion has also contributed to its growing prestige.“ Masters in our early days was essentially UK, bit of European stuff...” recalls Andrew.“ They picked up America, so their profile grew there. Now, with the addition of the UAE rounds, the series is stepping further onto the global stage.”
( Note: The standalone UAE events planned for 2025 have since been cancelled due to logistical issues, though the club is still expected to pursue Middle East expansion in future seasons, and a finale at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains on the calendar).
Mark and Andrew’ s involvement in Masters Racing Club has naturally evolved over time.
The changes at Masters Racing Club, the new ownership and direction of the series, has contributed to Mark and Andrew decision to scale back their racing, although the full reasons are shaped by both their personal choices and external pressures beyond their control.
One of the most significant external factors has been the dual impact of both Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, as Andrew and Mark emphasise.“ When COVID struck, there were a lot of businesspeople who said,‘ I’ m stopping till this sorts itself out.’ So, they backed right off until they had businesses to recover post-COVID, and some have not come back to motorsport.” However, the end of the pandemic also led to a temporary surge in grassroots motorsport participation.“ Some people in the accessory business and supply business for motorsport did a roaring trade through COVID,” adds Andrew,“ because everybody was at home
Mark and Andrew with trophies at the Silverstone Classic
preparing their race cars rather than working!” This created a short-lived boom, with the first year of post-COVID grids increasing in numbers, though as life has returned to normal, participation levels have stabilised again.
Meanwhile Brexit introduced logistical and financial challenges that have had a lasting impact, particularly on smaller, independent racers. Increased costs and paperwork, especially, have discouraged many from competing abroad.“ Brexit created uncertainty, and it has encouraged people not to bother,” Andrew notes. The additional expenses have become a barrier:“ It means suddenly there’ s another £ 500 a year you need to spend to get your car out. He recounts a specific instance:“ I had a major issue going into Spain, they insisted on charging me € 600, or they would not let me in.”
Mark offers a broader perspective, suggesting that Brexit has widened the gap between the well-funded teams and independent racers:“ The Brexit thing is probably more about affecting the less wealthy of Masters Racing Club customers.
Revolution- October 2025
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