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Fresh Highlights At Race Retro |
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Thursday, 08 March 2007 |
Latest attractions at the International Historic Motorsport Show
An all-new London to Sydney Marathon, which in 2008 will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original event, is to be launched at Race Retro, the International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park on 23-25 March 2007.
A faithful replica of Andrew Cowan's winning Hillman Hunter - complete with kangaroo-bar, plus wheels and toolbox on the roof - will be the central feature of the London to Sydney Marathon stand at the Show. Rosemary Smith, who competed on the 1968 event, has been asked to unveil the 2008 route, which will include a full overland drive to India, in keeping with the
concept of the original 1968 Marathon.
Route consultant John Sprinzel, who drove his home-prepared MG Midget
on the 1968 Marathon, comments: "This could be the most authentic
historic rally so far. Original route, original cars to the correct
specifications, and roads that haven't changed much in 40 years."
The rally will feature a full crossing of both Iran and Pakistan on the
way to India, something which has not been driven since the second
London to Sydney of 1977.
The London to Sydney Marathon is just one of the Show's 400-plus exhibitors. The latest attractions to be announced include:
:: The British Rallycross Drivers Association will exhibit at the Show
for the first time in this, the 40th anniversary of the first-ever
rallycross. The BRDA plans to display both the 1983 Xtrac Escort, plus
the Porsche 911 in which Vic Elford won that first 1967 Rallycross, 40
years ago. Elford himself,
legendary race and rally driver of immense versatility, will be
reunited with the car when he opens the Show (along with Derek Bell and
Richard Attwood) on Sunday 25 March.
:: One of the Honda RC45 motorcycles raced by the late Joey Dunlop OBE,
MBE, will appear on the TT Centenary stand. The bike, property of the
Dunlop family, is the actual machine on which Joey won both the TT and
the Ulster GP. Linda Dunlop, Joey's widow, will attend Race Retro and
will be a guest at the Show's Charity Awards Dinner on Saturday 24
March. The dinner will support the Joey Dunlop Foundation, benefiting
people with disabilities (see www.joeydunlopfoundation.com).
:: Many motoring clubs will use the Show to promote special activities
of their own, such as the Classic Sports Car Club's "trip of a
lifetime" to race at Daytona, as guests of the Historic Sportscar
Racing Club of America. Club Chairman Sarah Hutchison says: "Our stand
at Stoneleigh will be focused on the Daytona trip, and also letting
people know about our prize draw for all the
marshals who sign on with us in 2007 for a pair of tickets to fly with us to Daytona in November."
:: A new feature for 2007 is the doctor available at the Show to
undertake Race Licence medicals, including stress-testing. Dr Mark
Green is in charge
of this project, and appointments must be made in advance by email to
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or 24-hour answer machine on 01737 821550.
Race Retro, the fourth International Historic Motorsport Show, combines
live action events with over 400 exhibition stands, covering 70 years
of historic motorsport on both two wheels and four; on road, off road
and on track.
Race Retro 2007 runs from 23-25 March at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry. For advance tickets to the Show, please visit
www.historicmotorsportshow.com
or call the ticket hotline on 08701 262121. Advance one-day tickets cost £18 each; two-day tickets are £32 each.
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