Race Retro Looks To The Future of Historic Motorsport

Filed under: Classic News,Racing |
benn tilleyRace Retro, the international historic motorsport show, will look to the future of Historic Motorsport with a brand new feature celebrating young hot-shoes who are competing in Historic race series with their eye on becoming professional racing drivers. ‘Teenage Kicks’ will feature the three youngest drivers currently competing within the Historic Sports Car Club’s race series for Historic saloons and Historic Formula Ford 1600, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of Formula Ford in 2017. 16-year-olds James Clarke and Ed Thurston along with Benn Tilley, aged 17, while not yet legally allowed to drive solo on a public road have all been involved in motorsport since they were nine-years-old, cutting their teeth in both modern and historic karting before moving into cars. James has entered into Historic Saloons, while Ed and Benn have turned to Historic Formula Ford 1600, which is perhaps the most competitive club race series in existence. Grahame White, CEO of the Historic Sports Car Club, said: “This is a great idea because we have had more young drivers with us in recent years, providing some very close and exciting racing and we would like to encourage more to join them.” Historic Formula Ford often attracts grids of 40 plus cars and, with less than a second separating the top ten drivers, is hugely competitive. Because of this, top drivers such as TV presenter Tiff Needell and ex-Formula Palmer Audi Champion Richard Tarling still use it as a way to keep their racing skills sharp. Daniel Nwaokolo, Race Retro’s Event Director, said: “At a time in their lives when other boys their age are looking to learn to drive or buy their first moped, these youngsters are up there going tyre to tyre in a seriously competitive arena. They are dedicated to a future in motorsport and historic motorsport in particular. We want to celebrate that commitment and give them a platform where they can encourage support from the industry to help them in their careers.” Held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 24-26 February 2017, Race Retro will celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2017 with a ‘Super Show’ of celebrity guests, exciting new features and high octane live action. Tickets are now on sale. Tags:,