Bigger and better Retro
Last updated 21:43, Thursday, 20 March 2008
LAST weekend’s Race Retro, the International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh, was bigger and better than ever and certainly attracted the crowds.
The displays and demonstrations were excellent and the stalls and autojumbles a minefield of classic equipment and spares, but I intentionally did not stay for the Bonham’s classic auction as there were so many yummy cars, including a mint Mk2 Jaguar, I would have driven myself into more debt.
I caught up with Graeme Forrester of the Wigton Motor Club who was helping to run the Classic rally Organisers stand with the Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club who between them put on some of the county’s finest classic events.
I also met Ed Graham of the Pirelli International Rally, the opening event of the 2008 Tesco 99 British Rally Championship, which takes place over the weekend of April 18-19.
Headquartered in Carlisle, the Pirelli uses some of the most well-know stages in north Cumbria, including those in ‘Killer Keilder’ and for those who do not want to enjoy the stages they can go to Carlisle Airport where the cars will be serviced and where there will be added attractions and stalls.
Alongside the international, the Pirelli also hosts a round of the MSA Historic Championship so the nostalgic sound of Ford Escort BDAs, Opel Mantas, Sunbeams and Porsches will again fill the forests and complement the barking sounds of the turbo machinery in the main rally.
More details can be found at www.pirelliinternationalrally.co.uk
