Family Racing at the Motor Racing Legends Generations Trophy

When passion for motorsport runs through the family, it’s only a matter of time before the next generation joins the grid. For Dominic Mooney, owner of Midland Classic Restorations (MCR Racing), preparing historic race cars isn’t just a profession — it’s a lifelong pursuit. This year, that dedication took on a new meaning as his daughter, Jessica Mooney, took her first competitive steps into historic racing as part of the Motor Racing Legends Generations Trophy.

Preparing the Next Generation of Drivers

Before she could line up alongside some of the UK’s most experienced historic racers, Jessica first had to earn her place on the circuit. Under Dominic’s guidance, she completed her ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers Schools) test, achieving her race licence and demonstrating both the focus and determination needed to compete at this level.

Driver development is something Dominic and the MCR team value deeply — blending hands-on driver coaching, track familiarisation, and mechanical understanding to create confident, capable racers. With years of endurance racing experience behind him, Dominic ensured Jessica’s introduction to competitive motorsport was built on professionalism, precision and safety — the very same standards that define MCR’s approach to race preparation.

Building a Car to FIA Appendix K Specification

In true MCR fashion, the team meticulously prepared the car to meet the 2025 Motor Racing Legends Generations Trophy regulations, which follow the FIA Appendix K standards for pre-1966 competition GT cars. Every element — from the 950kg minimum weight and period-correct brakes, to the 1,854cc cast-iron engine block and Weber carburettor — had to conform precisely to the homologation forms (72 or 198).

The car also retained its original structure, with steel bodywork, period-correct wheels and suspension, and a six-point roll cage built to FIA standards. While certain modern safety enhancements are permitted, such as a mechanical handbrake system and FIA-approved fuel cells, the essence of the Generations Trophy is authenticity — ensuring the cars perform and look as they would have done in their period.

The Spirit of the Generations Trophy

The Motor Racing Legends Generations Trophy celebrates shared passion across generations — with each entry consisting of two drivers from the same family, separated by at least one generation. It’s an event where father and daughter, mother and son, or even grandparent and grandchild can compete together, combining heritage with the future of historic motorsport.

It’s not only about speed, but about mentorship, collaboration and respect for the craft of racing. The Trophy also emphasises fairness and driver balance, with regulations requiring a mandatory driver change, pitstop timing adjustments based on crew age, and additional handicaps for elite drivers — levelling the playing field across experience levels.

A New Chapter for MCR Racing

For Dominic and Jessica, competing in the Generations Trophy was more than just another race — it was a milestone moment. The pair showed impressive pace throughout the weekend, with Jessica demonstrating composure well beyond her experience and Dominic’s expertise shining through in both setup and racecraft. Their efforts were rewarded with a 4th-place finish in class, an outstanding result in a highly competitive field that underlined both the capability of the car and the quality of MCR’s preparation.

Watching Jessica take to the track in an MCR-prepared car, built to the highest historic specification and tuned for performance within strict FIA guidelines, marked the continuation of the Mooney family’s long-standing connection with motorsport — and the beginning of a new generation of MCR drivers.

Driver Training and Race Preparation at MCR

At Midland Classic Restorations, we don’t just prepare cars — we prepare drivers too. Our driver development and race preparation services are designed to support enthusiasts at every level, from licence acquisition and test days to full race-weekend support and logistics. Whether it’s helping a newcomer take their first steps into competition, or providing complete engineering support for seasoned drivers, our team ensures every detail — mechanical, regulatory and personal — is handled with precision.