The 19 car Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends field for Monza is a small but perfectly formed 19 cars with some interesting storylines. A perhaps perfect fit as a support series to the ELMS, and, as can be seen above, that’s a fact that was recognised by the race organisers with some ‘Old and New’ tracking shots undertaken yesterday.

First up the invitation entry for the #17 Ligier JS P2 Nissan, this must surely be a record in the historic racing world, a race appearance not only for a car that is still legal in contemporary competition, but is a reigning international Championship-winning car from this year!

The car is the very same car that powered Phil Hanson and Paul di Resta to the 2018/19 Asian Le Mans Series win, secured just three months ago in Sepang!

Patrice Lafargue and Erik Maris are racing it this weekend, alongside their regular ELMS drive in the not that much younger Ligier JS P217 Gibson!

There’s no shortage either of drivers familiar to followers of then contemporary endurance racing in the field: Pierre Bruneau is racing aboard the 2005 Pilbeam MP 93 he raced in the Le Mans Series from 2005-07, taking third place in the Championship in 2006.

Mike Newton has his spotless RML AD Group Mg Lola EX 257 from 2004 here (and his team-mates Tommy Erdos, driving for United Autosports, and Warren Hughes, coaching at RLR MSport are both here too!)

Ranieri Randaccio has his Lucchini LMP2-2004 racing too.

Another familiar face is Michel Frey, the Race Performance owner here with a new acquisition, the ex-Swiss Spirit Lola B07/18, now fitted with a Judd engine, the car previously raced with an Audi FSI turbo V8. This will be Michel’s first event with the car.

The four-car GT class comprises one of the ex Miedecke Motorsport Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3s, another car only just out of contemporary race action, an ex RAM Racing Ferrari 458 GTE, this the ex GTE Pro car from the 2014 FIA WEC part season programme, and a pair of Porsches, a 2005 ex Autorlando 911 GT3 RSR and an earlier 2001 ex Dieter Quester/ Red Bull car.

With different teams are the pair of 2011 Oak Racing Pescarolo Judd LMP1s, both resplendent in Gulf livery with Judd’s evergreen Stan Hall on site to fettle the now near decade-old beasts.

The third Gulf-liveried car is arguably the star of the show, Christophe D’Ansembourg’s ex-factory Lola Aston Martin, this the ex Darren Turner, Ant Davidson and Jos Verstappen car from 2009.

Squabbling for star status though is the Peugeot 908 V12 of Kriton Lendoudis (pictured top), the immaculately prepped 2011 turbo-diesel the 3rd placed car from Le Mans that year in the hands of Nic Minassian, Franck Montagny and the evergreen Stephane Sarrazin.

A pair of ex-ALMS cars are here too, Steve Tandy in his rapid ex Dyson Racing Lola Mazda LMP1 and Tommy Dreelan in his Aaron-Scott prepped ORECA FLM09 LMPC car.

Finally, there is a trio of ORECA 03Rs and a single earlier Courage LC75, all 19 cars attracting plenty of attention in the paddock and trackside.