The racing and rallying legacies of some of the biggest names in motorsport will be celebrated at Race Retro 2015, when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February.
The golden anniversary of Chevron Racing and designer Derek Bennett’s creations covering virtually all categories of national and international racing during the late ’60s and the ’70s will be celebrated with a display covering 50 years in action including the Chevron B16.
The Chevron B16 is reckoned to be the ‘Ultimate Chevron’, especially after winning its race debut with test driver Brian Redman at the wheel at the Nurburgring 500kms race in Sept 1969. Redman drove for the Bridges Brothers ‘Red Rose Racing’ Team so the car was finished in red.
There will also be a tribute to the late great Jack Brabham with a display of cars, which is hoped to include the BT3, BT20, BT33 and The Cooper. Jack’s son David will also be on the interview stage on Friday and Sunday talking about the cars and his father’s amazing career.
The Interview Stage will also see appearances by co-drivers and rivals related to all the celebrated marques as well as Race Retro favourites such as Win Percy, Barrie Whizzo Williams, and Willy Cave.
As part of the rally celebrations, former World Champion and all-round rallying legend Ari Vatanen will make his Race Retro debut. Vatanen will be on hand on the Saturday and Sunday at the show, also being interviewed live on stage, as well as showcasing his driving skills on the Live Rally Stage.
Vatanen became synonymous with Peugeot, especially the 205 and this year’s Race Retro will also celebrate the life of another rally driver who began his career at the wheel of a Peugeot – Richard Burns.
2015 will be the tenth anniversary of his passing and, to mark the occasion, the Richard Burns Foundation will be bring his rally-winning 205 and 309 GTIs to Race Retro. They will be joined by his 1992 Group N Subaru Impreza as well as the 2001 World Rally Championship Impreza.
Back out on the Live Rally Stage, which will be in action on Saturday and Sunday, the line up of cars includes the Escort RS Mk2 in Rothmans livery that is believed to have been driven in period by Ari’s teammate Malcom Wilson.
Visitors can also expect to see the Tony Worswick Ferrari 308 GTBs, Mick Strafford’s Firenza V8, the Lancia Delta S4, the ultimate Group B car evolution, and the usual favourite Group B rally cars such as the Audi Quattro, MG 6R4, Peugeot 205T16, and Ford RS200.
One car that will be hard to miss at Race Retro will be the 16.5 litre Fiat Issotta Fraschini, the ‘Land Speed Record’ car of Mike Vardy.
Fiat originally designed the car in 1905 for a planned attempt at the World Land Speed Record, but never built it. However, over a century later, the chassis has been re-created from original Fiat factory blueprints, and fitted with a 1917 Isotta Fraschini straight-six aero-engine in place of the twin Fiat 4- cylinder Grand Prix engines originally intended.
After many years in construction the Fiat ran for the first time just over a year ago and, at 17 feet long and weighing around two tons, is a sight to behold.
There will also be the extensive trader village featuring everything needed for the coming motorsport season as well as the popular Autojumble.
Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James & Stewart Miller Insurance, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com.
