Whilst most people have been too scared to drive in the snow and icy conditions, our not so tame rally driver John Hanlon tested our new Rally Stage to the limit in his Audi Quattro A2. Covered in snow, you could barely see the track, but after a few laps it was clear that our new stage will have thrills and spills!
The best part of the new stage, except for the long power slide, is the raised bank for viewing which gives you a perfect outlook on the whole Rally circuit. Add to this the new location of the stage, which is much nearer to the halls, and public entry to the paddock, the Live Action will be the show's best yet!
Join the Club
Some of the UK's best motorsport clubs will be out in force at Race Retro. The 750 Motor Club will celebrating its origins with an Austin 7 Nippy, a single-seater Twin Cam replica and a highly-developed 750 Trophy racing car. One of the UK's oldest car clubs is the Vintage Sports Car Club, which turned 75 last year, will be in attendance along with the Midland Automobile Club, whose home is Shelsley Walsh – the world's oldest motor sport venue. The British Motorsport Marshalls Club will be overseeing the outdoor activities as well as recruiting new members.
Likely to be one of the most popular displays is the Super Saloon Association's display featuring two period racers from the days when seriously large engines were shoehorned into family saloons. The SSA is showing a VW Beetle powered by a small-block Chevrolet V8 (and featuring F5000 steering and suspension), and a DAF 55 Coupe powered by an Oldsmobile V8. Both cars were crowd pleasers back in the '70s and are just as popular, if not more so, today.
A taste for the exotic
Race Retro celebrates the centenary of the Alfa Romeo, from its first win in the Targa Florio in 1923 through to its Formula 1 racing at the hands of Bruno Giacomelli. Bruno participated in over 80 Grand Prix races from 1977 through to 1990 and spent many years at the wheel of the Alfa Romeo 179/182 F1 car.
An interesting inclusion to the celebrations, which includes a hall dedicated to Alfa owners and specialist suppliers, will be the extremely rare Lotus 18 Alfa. Built at the end of l960 as a Formula 1 car by Team Lotus, it was sent to South Africa for Syd Van der Vyver to fit the car with an Alfa 1750 Series 1300 engine. Syd, an expert on Alfa Romeo engine modifications, received awards from Alfa Romeo in Italy for his achievements as well as racing in the South African Grand Prix in 1960 and 1961. The car became known as the fastest Grand Prix car winning numerous trophies as well as the South African National Championship.
Sort out your nuts and bolts
It's not just cars and bikes at Race Retro as you can find all the latest high-quality components, aimed at making any historic motor sport entrant that little bit more competitive in their chosen discipline.
Titan Motorsport will have its Traction Master limited-slip differentials line-up while Alfaholics will be showing an Appendix K 1965 1600GTA. CP Pistons and Carrillo, specialists in the manufacture of high performance pistons and rods, will showcase its expansive product offering and on the electrics' side, Powervamp Racing will demonstrate its batteries, chargers and grid start packs.
Rotating electrics specialist Racemettle will have its range of high-torque starter motor and alternators on display while TR specialist Racetorations will have a comprehensive range of engine parts. If it's thermal management you're after, Camcoat Performance is showing its high performance coatings, which can be used on exhausts, pistons and combustion chambers. Whatever you need, you'll find it at Race Retro.
You've got to be in it to win it
Don't forget there is still time to enter to win two VIP tickets which include entrance, breakfast, lunch, wine and even afternoon tea! Plus there will be the chance to rub shoulders with our special guests in an exclusive VIP suite. Posh, eh!
To win just email raceretro@poppyseedmedai.co.uk putting RACE RETRO VIP in the subject box with your name, address and contact telephone number. Winners will be selected at random and the competition will close on Friday 29th January so enter now!
Tickets are on sale and by booking in advance, you can save a few quid and bag yourself a January bargain! To book tickets, click here. Please quote code RREN04 when booking by phone or web.
Why not…
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook and get the latest news and inside show gossip as it happens. You can also watch footage from previous years on our YouTube channel too.
Race Retro would like to thank its sponsors and official partners. |
