Aaltonen back in mini at race retro

Some great weather and some exceptional cars kept enthusiasts happy at the 2009 edition of Race Retro, at Stoneleigh, Warks.

It was great to see Rauno Aaltonen reunited with his original 1964 Monte Carlo Rally Mini Cooper S, before he joined Mark Higgins in the 2008 Aston Martin GT V8 rally car. Another reunion involved Russell Brookes and his Opel Manta and Sierra Cosworth.

On top of all that there were appearances by Paddy Hopkirk, Barry ‘Whizzo’ Williams, Rosemary Smith and Tony Mason on the interview stage.

Race Retro is now owned by Live Promotions. Managing director Colin Ward said: “As new owners, the most important aspect of the show for us was to encourage a younger audience into Race Retro and historic motor sport.”

An H&H Classic Auction at the event proved successful, with over £800,000 of sales.