Willhire 24 Hour

Latterly, it was contested by competitors running in the FIA Group N specification National Saloon Car Cup.

[2] The race was sponsored by Willhire Vehicles Rentals (now Anglian Willhire, part of Northgate), a local car rental company, after its owner Roger Williams was approached to sponsor a motor racing event at the circuit.

Williams talked about sponsoring a 6- or 24-hour event, initially as a joke, but the offer was accepted and the United Kingdom's first 24-hour race was founded.

[3][7] Other notable drivers who competed in the past other than those listed below include Martin Brundle,[8] Steve Soper, John Cleland,[9] Kieth O'dor, Tiff Needell, John Bartlett, James Thompson and Gerry Marshall.

Stirling Moss was part of a class-winning team at the race in 1980, driving a Volkswagen Scirocco.

The inaugural Willhire 24 Hour, 1980
The Saab 9000 T16 of Lionel Abbott, Ian Flux and David Sears at the 1990 Willhire event
Carlos Maidana taking a pitstop in his Volkswagen Golf Mk2 , 1988
Two cars battling into Riches Corner, 1990
John Bartlett makes a pitstop - Sky Esso Willhire 24 Hour Race, Snetterton, 1991
Endurance 2CV racing at Snetterton, 2009