Pictured above: John Truslove

Redditch's motor racing commercial property agent John Truslove is aiming for a Silverstone Classic after disappointment in Italy in the start to his season.

The 62-year-old was driving a BMW 1800Ti in the Touring Cars race at the FIA Historic Formula One championship at Monza when to his embarrassment he made the sort of error beloved of old ladies and learner drivers - botched a gear change.

"I went from third to second as opposed to third to fourth," he grimaces.

Unsurprisingly "the engine lost its edge".

Running sixth out of a 30-strong field at the time, paired up with Channel Islands-based businessman and co-driver Marcus Mahy, part of a three-strong team prepared by Earlswood motorsports company Laranca Engineering Ltd, he admits: "I came out of it with my tail between my legs."

Nevertheless, a good result for Laranca whose boss Richard Shaw took the chequered flag in the prestigious 60 minute race, partnered by former Team Lotus and Arrows F1 ace Jackie Oliver.

John is hoping for better luck on July 23/24 when Laranca battle it out in the Silverstone Classic.

"We will certainly be giving it our best shot," he said. "Obviously it is home turf and we are determined to do well. I certainly believe we will be competitive."

He will be driving the same BMW 1800Ti - Laranca have a strong record in preparing and entering cars in historic motor racing.

John Truslove's racing career in the historic category has seen him compete extensively in Europe and South Africa, including two appearances in the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco and races at Pau, Dijon, Copenhagen, Jarama, Portimao, Chimay and Porto in cars that have included a 1960 Elva DKW, a Lola Mark II in which he won the British Formula Junior Championship in 2006 and the Brabham BT-6 which he drove to win the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix in 2007.

For more information on John Truslove, view the website here: www.johntruslove.com