We are about to head off to Italy to start our historic racing season with this weekend's Mugello Classic. Organised by Peter Auto, it will see capacity grids with sports racing cars and touring cars from the 1950s through to the 2000s. To get you in the mood, we have taken a closer look at four cars that raced at Mugello last year and will be back again in a few days.
The earliest is this Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 GTA, which was delivered new to Switzerland. It was raced extensively by its first three owners, scoring class wins in Switzerland and Germany. Now in Belgian hands, it will compete in the two-hour Sixties' Endurance race.
Due to the race in the Classic Endurance Racing I is this Ford GT40. Unfinished in period, the car was only completed during the 1990s using many original components by the same people that built the same cars during the 1960s. Chassis GT40P/1088 boasts the ultimate small-block specification, similar to that of the 1968 and 1969 Le Mans winner.
We move to the 1990s with this Spice SE90C Group C racer. It was famously entered for an all-female driver line-up in the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was later raced in Japan and is today part of the stable of a Belgian historic racer.
Also in Belgian hands is this Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Raced in period by the IMSA Performance team, it was particularly successful in the FFSA GT Championship. It also made two appearances at Le Mans.
As always, we will follow up the weekend with a detailed report and gallery from the Mugello Classic.

It will be a busy start of the season with the Goodwood Members' Meeting on the schedule in April. The last time we visited was the very cold 2018 edition when it was snowing most of the time. Among the stars that year was this Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza, which seemed unaffected by the wintery conditions. Originally sold to French racer Philippe Etancelin, it is now part of a prominent British collection. Chassis 2211097 was raced for the owner by Patrick Blakeney-Edwards, who won his race with great verve.
On April 7, Gooding will auction the Estate of Mark Smith. Offered at no reserve is an eclectic mix of machines collected by the Lynchburg, Virginia native over many years. The common thread between the lots is the remarkably well-preserved condition. Headlining the sale is this Mercedes-Benz 500 K Offener Tourenwagen. One of just four known to have survived with this body style, this example was bought new by Nazi official Rudolph Hess. After the War, it moved to the United States and since 1955 has had just two owners.
Also boasting a lovely patina is this one-off Chrysler CG Imperial LeBaron Custom Roadster. Built on the top-of-the-range Chrysler chassis of the day, it was fitted with a very rakish LeBaron body for first owner Dr. William F. Whelan with many custom features. Cherished by several long-term owners, the unique Chrysler joined the stable of the late Mark Smith in 2001.
Another 1930s masterpiece is this Bentley 3½-Litre Antem Drophead Coupe, which was ordered new by prominent Bentley customer André Embericos. It is one of just two Bentleys that were ever bodied by Parisian carrossier Antem. Although re-painted blue at some point, the Derby Bentley has also survived in a fabulous condition.

At the Bangkok International Motor Show, Techart revealed the GTstreet R Flyweight. As the name suggests, it is a lighter version of the Porsche 911 Turbo S-based GTstreet R, which is now sold out. To round off production a further 19 examples will be built of the Flyweight. Weight is saved throughout and modifications include lighter seats, exhaust system and wheels. This allows the 788 bhp to sprint to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds.
Rolls-Royce is due to end production of the Wraith Coupe and its replacement will not be powered by a V12 engine. To signal the end of the V12 Coupe production, the Black Badge department created the Wraith Black Arrow. Appropriately limited to 12 examples, the Black Arrow features a bespoke graduation finish between two tones; Celebration Silver and Black Diamond. This contrasts with the bright yellow exterior details and interior. In addition to the bright yellow, the Black Arrow also sports carbon-fibre trim panels.
Ahead of the official debut at the upcoming Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Honda's luxury arm released the first details of the upcoming Integra Type S. It will be powered by a slightly more powerful, 320 bhp version of the turbocharged four-cylinder out of the new Civic Type R. Purists will be glad to find out that the two-litre unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

In an early start to Ferrari Friday, the Italian manufacturer has unveiled the Roma Spider this evening. Based on the highly acclaimed Roma Coupe, the new Spider is the first front-engined Ferrari with a soft-top since the Daytona Spider of the early 1970s. By using a fabric roof, there is more luggage space and the Roma Spider is also fitted with a patented wind deflector that is part of the backrest and can be deployed by pushing a button on the centre console. Like the Coupe, the Roma Spider is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that is good for 611 bhp. This is mated to a dual-clutch, paddle-actuated eight-speed automatic gearbox.
In a successful attempt to build anticipation, Lamborghini has been releasing teasers of the upcoming Aventador replacement. This week, it was revealed that the LB744 features a carbon fibre monocoque that is 10% lighter than that of the Aventador. The front-subframe is now also made from carbon-fibre, which represents a 20% weight saving. That means that the LB744 will be the first Lamborghini with a complete carbon-fibre composite chassis.
Danish supercar manufacturer Zenvo is finally set to replace the ST1 and TSR models with the all-new Aurora of which the first details have been published. It is due to be powered by a six-litre V12 engine that will be bolted to a proprietary eight-speed automatic gearbox with integrated hybrid drive. The Aurora will be available in Agil or Tur configurations; the first focused on high-downforce track driving and the other for high-speed travel on the road.

Our 2023 historic racing season is about to start with the Mugello Classic in little over two weeks. To get you in the mood, we have taken a closer look at four racers that competed in Peter Auto's Endurance Racing Legends during the 2022 season.
The earliest of the quartet is this Porsche 911 GT2, which was delivered to Steve O'Rourke. Liveried in EMI colours, it scored two wins in the 1997 British GT Championship. Now fully restored, the rare racer should be back on the grid at Mugello in two weeks time. A slightly newer 911 is this 996-generation GT3 R, which was raced in period by the Petersen / White Lightning team. With its striking livery, it was a welcome guest at all the major North American events during the early 2000s. Recently restored by British specialists Maxted-Page, it returned to the track in 2022.
A contemporary of the 911 GT3 R is this ex-works Courage C60. Powered by the glorious Judd GV4 V10, it was raced at Le Mans in several guises. Now restored to its first iteration, C60-02 was campaigned by its Dutch owner at the 2022 Dix Mille Tours. Another early 2000s Le Mans Prototype out on track last year was this ex-Dyson Racing Riley & Scott Mk III C. Originally powered by a Lincoln V8, it was later re-engined with the rumbling six-litre Elan V8. Boasting its 2003 Amerisuites colours, it was also raced at last year's Le Mans Classic.

Maserati is set to return to GT racing and the new MC20 GT2 has commenced testing. Powered by a 620 bhp version of the twin-turbo V6 engine, it is set to compete in the newly created GT2 series against Porsche 911s and Audi R8s.
This year, Lamborghini will replace the Aventador with a brand-new model that is currently code-named the LB744. The curtain has been raised slightly already and the good news is that the new Lamborghini will use a naturally aspirated V12. Now mounted the right way round, it is both lighter and more powerful than the engine fitted in the Aventador. The V12 will be aided by three electric motors; two on the front axle and one that is bolted to the new, transverse eight-speed gearbox. The combined maximum output will be an even 1,000 bhp. An Italian manufacturer making a comeback is Isotta Fraschini with the Tipo 6 hypercar. Three versions will be available, starting with the Tipo 6 LMH Competizione that will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Developed for Isotta Fraschini by Michelotto, it is powered by a turbocharged V6 engine that was commissioned from German specialists HWA. A hybrid, the Tipo 6 also features an electric motor on the front axle. The LMH will be followed by the track-day 'Pista' and the fully road legal Strada.
Among the competitors at this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb will be Alpine with this A110 GT4. Right now only a sketch has been revealed of the car that will compete in the Time Attack 1 category.
Ahead of the launch in April, AC Cars has revealed further details of the upcoming Cobra GT Roadster. Due to be powered by a 654 bhp V8, it is a Cobra of the 21st century and will even be available with power windows.