RACE RETRO STRIKES GOLD FOR 2009 CELEBRATIONS

Filed under: Classic News |
Race Retro 2009, the international historic motorsport show, will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the works Aston Martin team's 1959 'World Sports Car Racing Championship's most successful era when it returns to Stoneleigh Park from 13th to 15th March. With victories secured at the LeMans 24 hrs, the Nurburgring 1000 Km, and the Tourist Trophy with their superb DBR1 model, the organisers are hoping to attract some of the drivers from the team which was led by Sir Stirling Moss and included Carroll Shelby, Roy Salvadori, and Jack Fairman. Pride of place at the entrance to the exhibition halls will be one on the five DBR1 sports racing cars, still in race ready condition and normally seen on track at the major classic race meetings. To bring the Aston Martin story right up to date, the latest example of the marque's illustrious racing heritage will be represented by the current DBR9 LMGT1 fresh from its GT1 Class victory at the LeMans 24 Hrs race of 2008. Race Retro will also celebrate another anniversary in 1959 - the launch of the Mini, unquestionably the model that really brought the opportunity of competing in motorsport to many first timers whilst at the same time bursting onto the world stage with giant killing performances in the hands of stars of international race tracks and rally roads. Many driver reputations were built on success at the wheel of the Mini Cooper S. To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Mini in motorsport, Race Retro will present a superb collection of some of the most significant ex-works cars in Mini history on display in the Rally Hall. An open invitation has gone out to all surviving members of the original BMC and BLMC works competition department from the Mini years. Drivers such as 'Flying Finn' Rauno Aaltonen, darling of the British fans Paddy Hopkirk, co-drivers, mechanics, admin staff and team managers have all been invited as guests at Race Retro 2009. The party wouldn't be complete without featuring at least one famous Mini in action, so a special treat for rallying enthusiasts will be Rauno Aaltonen in spirited attack mode driving his original1964 Monte Carlo Rally Mini Cooper S. Just as an extra treat and to link the two celebrated marques at Race Retro 2009, Rauno will also strap himself into the thundering 420 bhp Aston Martin V8GT Rally car for a few swift passes over the Race Retro live action Rally Stage tarmac. The ever popular flame spitting Group B cars of Slowly Sideways Group GB provide much of the rally stage action, with live commentary from the irrepressible Tony Mason.' For motorcycle enthusiasts, the central theme is yet another fiftieth anniversary celebration ' this time for the iconic Triumph Bonneville 650 twin. A feature stand centering on the Texas Cee-Gar streamliner in which Johnny Allen achieved 214mph riding the long low Triumph Thunderbird engined machine across the Bonneville salt-flats in 1956. Joining the streamliner will be a collection of famous 'Bonnies' with production TT and endurance racing pedigree. Accompanying the bikes will be many of the people whose racing history is irrevocably linked with Triumph. Back by popular demand after thrilling the visitors at the last Race Retro will be the Ken Fox Troupe riding their Vintage Wall of Death and for those who like to be more laid back, the Ace Caf' will provide an ideal spot to soak up the atmosphere. Following its success last year, the Ace Caf' will run and expand its popular Caf' Concours competition. The historic kart racers will again gamely demonstrate their surprisingly fast machines on the smoothest part of the rally stage as well as mounting a superb and varied display of karts in the exhibition halls. For the first time, thrill seeking visitors to Race Retro 2009 will have the chance to ride as a passenger in a race car with a professional driver within the grounds of Stoneleigh Park. Look out for the return of those beautifully restored historic racing transporters on static display at the exhibition entrance, supported by the amazing racing trucks which will make their debut at Race Retro 2009. Five times European Truck racing champion, former Heron Suzuki GP team rider, and current Moto GP commentator Steve Parrish also makes a popular return to Race Retro to MC the main exhibition proceedings in 2009.Tags: