Masters Historic Racing begins a new chapter with GP Extreme

Masters Historic Racing, one of the leading historic racing organisers in the UK, Europe and North America since 2004, has announced a merger with GP Extreme, the UAE-based global motorsports group.

After 20 years at the helm of Masters, founder Ron Maydon has secured a new future for Masters that ensures the passion and ethos of the company he started in 2004 will be honoured after he prepares to step back from day-to-day duties. At the head of GP Extreme, experienced racer and car enthusiast Fred Fatien, has been a supporter of Masters over the years and understands the racing community that Masters represents as well as the opportunity presented.

Masters Historic Racing will continue to operate with its regular organisational team for at least the 2024 race season, ensuring a smooth transition. GP Extreme will welcome the Masters Historic Racing team to their burgeoning fleet of motorsport activities, which includes the Dubai Historic Grand Prix. The published 2024 Masters Race Schedule remains unchanged and will forge the first step on this new Masters journey.

This dynamic new motorsport entity will seek to continue the work of Masters’ founder Ron Maydon and embrace a passion for historic motorsport into the next chapter of Masters Historic Racing.

“At Masters, we have spent the past twenty years building our own style of historic racing and a powerful brand name that is recognised internationally. I am so very proud of what our small, wonderful team at Masters has achieved from our humble beginnings with one historic Formula 1 grid back in 2004 to being recognised worldwide wherever historic racing takes place,’ said Masters Founder Ron Maydon. ‘However, I must recognise I will shortly be 73 years old. I have a wonderful wife who has supported me in every aspect of Masters, a fantastic home, five amazing children and currently 13 grandchildren! It’s time that I saw more of them all, along with all the great motor racing friends I have made around the world. It felt like the right time to find someone to take Masters onto its next phase. I will truly enjoy watching Fred, and his team at GP Extreme, embrace the ethos of Masters and implement the great enthusiasm and ideas he has for the future. Rest assured, Rachel, the current wonderful Masters Team, and myself will be here throughout the 2024 season, working to ensure Masters successful future ahead.’

Frédéric Fatien, Founder of GP Extreme, said: “Inspired by the pursuit of victory, GP Extreme is now embarking on a new journey as we temporarily set aside the GT3 team to devote all our efforts into historic racing. With a longstanding relationship between Ron and I, the visionary behind Masters Historic Racing, having enjoyed racing together throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Central America, I’m thrilled to begin this exciting journey. Our dedication will be reflected in maintaining the current team and our ambition to develop further exciting projects within the 2024 calendar to honour the Masters legacy and ethos.

Historic racing has always been magical for me, from iconic circuits to bringing a museum to the track, but also through the fervour of races, the drivers’ personalities, the roaring engines, the smell of oil, the beauty of the cars, and the devoted atmosphere. That passion led me to breathe life into the Dubai Gulf Historic, a venture I believe instilled confidence in Ron in our world of historic motor racing. We undeniably share the same passion, ethics, and motto with Masters to drive this Middle Eastern event to other continents.

At GP Extreme, we take immense pride in inheriting this legacy, committing to upholding its esteemed reputation — a culmination of 275 events across 17 countries since its inception in 2004, with an annual community of 750 enthusiastic members. Our shared values of great camaraderie, a fun and relaxed environment, and a passionate community will drive us forward on this new exhilarating historic racing adventure.”