Englishman Brian Redman, who has claimed nine sports-car road-racing championships in his 60 years of competition, has been named the Grand Marshal of the inaugural Chattanooga MotorCar Festival, to be held Oct. 11-13, 2019, in the heart of this “Scenic City” on the Tennessee River.
Originally from Burnley, Lancashire, Great Britain, Redman now resides in the U.S. He’s collected five professional championships since his racing career began in 1959: the 1970 South Africa Springbok Series title, three straight SCCA Formula 5000 Series titles (1974-1976), and the 1981 IMSA Camel GTP crown.
The affable author of “Brian Redman: Daring Drivers, Deadly Tracks,” raced in nearly every category of sports-car racing, including Formula 1, and is the winner of the 1970 Targa Florio; the 12 Hours of Sebring twice, in 1975 and 1978; the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1970, 1976 and 1981; and the Spa-Francorchamps 1000km race four times (1968-1970 and 1971). Cars he’s wheeled include Chevron B16 Spyder, Lola Chaparral T330/T332C, Wyer Gulf Ford, Wyer Gulf Porsche 917, Cooper-BRM, Porsche 908, Aston-Martin AMR1, Ferrari 312 PB, BMW 3.5 liter CSL, among many others.
Although he retired as a pro driver following the 1989 season, he continues to race in vintage/historic events with a variety of historic race cars. He’s the owner of Targa 66, a club for owners of high-performance road and race cars, organizing competitive events around the country.
In 2002, Redman was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and, in 2011, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He’s a past president of the Road Racing Drivers Club and a life member of the British Racing Drivers Club.
“This is such a great honor for me,” said Redman. “It is a privilege to be part of such an exciting inaugural event which takes place at such a beautiful venue. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing exotic and classic cars race on the 1.5-mile circuit against the clock. It’ll definitely be a dynamic experience. My thanks to everyone who is part of the Festival for inviting me to be the Grand Marshal.”
“Brian brings a wealth of not only racing experience to the Chattanooga MotorCar Festival,” said Byron DeFoor, a visionary in local real estate development and the healthcare industry, and one of the founders of the CMCF, “but the extensive knowledge of vintage and historic classic and racing cars. His organizational talents in helping create and manage this inaugural event in this beautiful city of Chattanooga is not only welcome but vital to the success of this event.”
Three distinct components make up the three-day weekend of the Festival held on Chattanooga’s Riverfront, with all events scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
While Sunday is a “wind-down” day for participants to pack up and leave, other activities will be made available to the public, which will be announced soon.
Time Trials Between the Bridges:
A competitive event each day for authentic vintage and historic cars. One car against the clock will compete on a 1.5-mile circuit on Riverside Drive. The event, dubbed “A Driver, A Vehicle, A Clock,” will be limited to 50 cars, divided into approximately 10 classes. To enter and to view eligible cars, go to ChattanoogaMotorCar.com/timetrials
Rendezvous of the Greats:
“A Juried Contest of Elegance.” This Concours d’Elegance will be held on Saturday only. It will include a display of significant vintage and historic cars following a review, acceptance and confirmation of the vehicles by Concours Chairman Ken Gross, an award-winning automotive journalist. Entries must be driven onto the event venue. To enter, go to ChattanoogaMotorCar.com/concours
High Jinks Rallye:
“A Driver, A Navigator, A Challenge.” Participants will experience the landscape
of the surrounding area while on this rallye. Each day will have a new challenge and route for the driver and navigator to face. Applications are available at ChattanoogaMotorCar.com/rallye
The 2019 Chattanooga MotorCar Festival, in Chattanooga, Tenn., is an inaugural three-day event, incorporating the style of its European counterparts by holding unique classic car events tailored to the vintage/historic car collector and racer, and the welcoming hospitality that is the trademark of the American South. It includes time trials, a concours d’elegance, a rallye and family activities. Hosted by Fifty Plus Racing Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, CMCF benefits Chattanooga Erlanger Neuroscience Institute, the region’s only certified academic Neuroscience Center.
