Living history
If you’re yet to be bitten by the historic racing bug, then get yourself to Stoneleigh Park this weekend for Race Retro
IT’S TAKING OVER. HISTORIC RACING APPEARS TO be growing in popularity year on year, and enthusiasts of all ages are being opened up to a whole ‘new’ area of the sport. OK, that may be a bit of a stretch, and an excuse to use the word ‘new’ in the context of historics purely for my own amusement. But the point stands. You wouldn’t have caught me at a historic meeting five or 10 years ago, but now historic-based events top my list of must-sees.
As highlighted by Kevin Turner in Autosport’s Historics supplement (February 15), the discipline is booming at a time when other championships and series are struggling. In recent years one of my early-season highlights (aside from Autosport International) has been Race Retro, at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry. It has evolved into the biggest and most rewarding historics-based show on the motorsport calendar.
As a new era of high technology dawns in motorsport, actual participation is one of the key hurdles to overcome. It barely warrants a mention in mainstream publications and, despite the rise of social media, it’s more difficult than ever to enlighten the uninitiated about the pleasure motorsport provides.
The key problem is getting across that motorsport can be done on a budget; you don’t have to aspire to be, or have the cash to compete, in a six-figure-budget national or international championship.
For that reason, the arrive-and-drive classic-car experience run by HERO events does a perfect job of opening people up to the joys of what some cars can do. While you won’t be driving them competitively at Stoneleigh Park, you’ll be able to feel what makes a historic car so special. And that’s a win.
For £63 you can drive on a specially designed course at Stoneleigh and out onto the public roads in a Jaguar E-type or a Lancia Delta, and for £45 there’s a number of other cars available including a Lancia Fulvia and a BMW 1602. Like-minded enthusiasts will be on hand to recount tales of events competed in and drinks consumed afterward, no doubt.
Speaking of like-minded enthusiasts, back in the main foyer of the show you’ll find most of the major racing groups: the Historic Sports Car Club, Classic Sports Car Club, Classic Touring Car Racing Club, Vintage Sports-car Club, Castle Combe and the 750 Motor Club. If you have questions about how to get involved, there’s no end of people who can advise.
And for those who are already competitors and fans, there’s plenty more to attract you to the show.
Don’t pass up the chance to see Brian Redman up on a stage, since he can recount tales of winning the Targa Florio, Sebring 12 Hours and Formula 5000 titles, driving some of the most spectacular cars ever produced. Joining him will be John Barnard and Frank Dernie, who designed cars for Ferrari, Mclaren, Lotus, Williams and Hesketh between them.
One notable absentee is the late, great Dan Gurney, but his life will be celebrated, in true poignant Race Retro fashion, with his final F1 car on display as a fitting tribute.
The era of ground-effect F1 cars will take centre stage, in the form of a Williams FW07 and a Lotus 79. And don’t forget the ex-robb Gravett 1990 British Touring Car-winning Ford Sierra RS500 is being auctioned.
Rallying is also taken care of, with two-time World Rally champion Miki Biasion joining Jimmy and Alister Mcrae on the rally stage, which features a range of machinery including Group B cars. Since they can’t run in competition in the UK, this is an unusual chance to get up close to the machines. One of the rarest, a Ford Escort RS1700T, will make an extremely rare appearance after a full restoration.
Tickets for the event can be ordered from its website or on the gate, and Friday-saturday entry is just £35 in advance.
It’s difficult to mention the Williams FW07 that will be at the show without getting excited about its sister car’s appearance at Thruxton later in the year.
Plans for the Hampshire circuit’s 50th Anniversary celebrations are progressing nicely, with the news this week that one of the closest fought and exciting racing championships in the UK, the HSCC’S Historic Formula
Fords, will be joining the billing alongside the ex-keke Rosberg FW08C. There’s a reason a variety of Autosport’s writers, including Grand Prix editor Ben Anderson (who has competed in the series), who wax lyrical about it, and to see some up-and-coming young stars fight the Richard Tarlings of this world will be thoroughly enjoyable at this super-quick circuit.
Joining the Formula Fords will be the Super Touring Car Trophy, along with a 40-minute race for the Guards Trophy and a non-championship Formula Libre race. The billing is shaping up to become unmissable.
If you’re a historic naysayer, Race Retro is the perfect way to get up close and personal to a different aspect of motorsport. It’s very different to modern forms of racing, but offers just as much fun and excitement to fans of all ages.
“Participation barely warrants a mention in the mainstream press”