Stars and Their Cars at the Historic Motorsport Show

08 February 2005

Next month's International Historic Motorsport Show offers enthusiasts the chance to see some of the greatest cars and motorcycles ever used in actual competition, and to meet some of the world`s very best drivers and riders.

Over 500 stands have been sold, and the Show, which takes place on 25-26-27 February at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, seems certain to be a sell-out.

The Show offers something for everyone, with its unique combination of four exhibition halls, motorsport autojumble, auctions and live action events (including a rally stage, an autotest and the start of the Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo). Some highlights are listed below…

Drivers, Riders and Guests
Among the many stars attending the Charity Awards Dinner (Saturday 26 February) or the show itself will be Pentti Airikkala, Derek Bell, Russell Brookes, Paul Easter, Tony Fall, Andy Green (holder of the World Land Speed Record), Timo Makinen, Hannu Mikkola, Sammy Miller, Jim Redman, Jeff Smith, Rosemary Smith, John Surtees, Bjorn Waldegård and Barrie `Whizzo` Williams, plus engineering gurus Keith Duckworth, Mike Costin and Ben Rood (co-founders of Cosworth) and Ken Rudd (of Ruddspeed fame).

Competition Motorcycles
The main display will feature a selection of bikes on loan from the recently-restored National Motorcycle Museum, including Triumph ISDT (ex Jim Alves), New Imperial twin, BSA A65 flat track (ex David Aldana), AJS V twin supercharged, Excelsior single (enclosed 4-valve radial head, magnesium crankcase, etc), Norton Rotary 1992 Senior TT winner (ridden by Steve Hislop), Dunstall Norton (ex Ray Pickrell), Triumph production racer `Slippery Sam`, AJS E95 Porcupine, Jeff Smith`s titanium scrambler, Vincent HRD series A V twin (ex Ginger Woods), McEvoy V twin, Vincent Super Nero, BSA Formula 750 (ex John Cooper), Matchless G50CSR Golden Eagle and Norton Pegasus.

Racing Cars
Te FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship will share space with Cosworth Engineering, displaying a pair of famous Tyrrell Formula 1 cars: 001 (the original Jackie Stewart car) and 012 (winner of the 2003 TGP Championship). Elsewhere in the show will be two works Matras: an MS120D Formula 1 car and a Le Mans 650 sports car.  On one of the feature stands will be famous Shelsley Walsh hillclimb cars, such as a Maserati 26M (ex Whitney Straight), ERA R4D and Vauxuall Villiers (both ex Raymond Mays)

Rally Cars
In action on the rally stage will be a selection of famous ex-works rally cars supplied by the Slowly Sideways group. To mark 25 years since the debut of the Audi Quatto, which began the four-wheel drive revolution at the 1980 Algarve Rally, the actual original car will be driven, as it was 25 years ago, by Hannu Mikkola. Joining him will be four other Quattros, an Alitalia Lancia Stratos, Triumph TR7 V8, Fiat  131 Abarth, Martini Lancia 037, Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, two Renault Maxi 5 Turbos, Nissan 240RS, no fewer than four Computervision Metro 6R4s and a Ford RS200 Evolution. On display in the Rally Hall will be an ex Rauno Aaltonen Austin Healey 3000, the Mini Cooper in which Timo Makinen won the RAC Rally, and a selection of Lancias, Ford Escorts and Audi Quattros from David Sutton`s historic collection.

The show runs from 25-27th February with advance tickets frm £12.50 for one day or £22 for two. Children under 16 go free.

See official site for Historic Motorsport Show

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