FOLLOWING THE NEC’S LEAD
Race Retro adopts some of the classic show’s features
Tributes to Jaguar’s triumphs at Le Mans, Prodrive’s contributions to a generation of race and rally heroes – and a turbocharged Ford Anglia – were among the highlights at this three-day homage to Britain’s historic motor sport.
This is the second year that Race Retro has been organised by the brains behind the NEC’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, and it shows, with many of the key staples of that show now embedded in the Stoneleigh event.
The Motorsport Hall of Fame Live paid tribute to Prodrive’s David Richards, featuring Colin McRae’s Subaru Impreza as well as a Rothman’s Porsche 911, which was the first car the company worked on. Flanking this was a collection of former Miki Biasion cars, inculding a Lancia Delta HF Integrale, Lancia 037 and Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth.
The displays also included a celebration of 40 years since the arrival of ground-effect racers in Formula One and a tribute to Jaguar’s XJR-9 Le Mans victory.
Showgoers got to see Norman Dewis, Matt Neal and Brian Redman, but one particular highlight was the presentation of the Pride of Paddock award – Race Retro’s equivalent of a Pride of Ownership award, now in its second year. Redman was on hand to present Jim Angliss with the trophy, his turbocharged four-wheel-drive Ford Anglia 105E having won over the crowds and won the most votes. Mike Mayfield’s ex-works Lada Samara clinched second place.
Outdoors, the Live Rally Stage remained a popular feature, with nearly 100 cars giving action-packed driving demonstrations. David Halford made it out in his Audi quattro, while a Vauxhall Chevette HSR wowed in the hands of five-times British Rally Champion, Jimmy McRae.
Elsewhere, London-Sydney 50 celebrated half a century of classic marathon competitions. It was in 1968 that the Daily Express launched the tradition with the 10,000-mile London to Sydney Marathon. The group had a Ford Cortina 1600 and Morris 1800 on display, both of which had competed in the rally 50 years ago.
Despite all this increased glamour, however, the autojumble was as grassroots as ever, even though this end of the show felt rather relegated to the darkest and coldest part of the site. Nonetheless, it remains the best place to grab front wings for your rally-spec Escort MkII or an engine block for your Lotus Twin Cam.
Finally, for visitors overwhelmed by the desire to get in a classic, HERO Events was once again offering an ‘arrive and drive’ service, which allowed members of the public to take a passenger ride, or drive themselves, in one of their cars. With a Jaguar E-type, MGA, Triumph TR4, Lancia Delta Integrale and many more on offer, it proved popular among starryeyed visitors.