STICKING POINTS

Ground-effect cars in Race Retro spotlight as legends of stage and track gather for popular historic showpiece

Race Retro kicks off the 2018 historic motor sport calendar in style, with famous drivers and cars in attendance plus breathtaking live rally action.

The 16th International Historic Motor Sport Show runs from February 23-25 at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry. The show’s scope is wider than ever this time, including an exhibition celebrating ground-effect aerodynamics (40 years after Mario Andretti won the F1 title in a Lotus 79). There will also be a collection of Prodrive machines, plus appearances from the Vintage Sports-Car Club, MG Car Club and Equipe GTS.

The successful Lotus 79 (in Ronnie Peterson’s hands, above) will be among the ground-effect cars at Race Retro, alongside a Williams FW07 and cars from other categories that embraced the same principles.

Motor Sport is an official show partner and sports car legend Brian Redman is due to appear on our Live Stage, alongside other engineers and designers who will provide fascinating insight. Names have still to be confirmed, but the 2017 cast included Ari Vatanen, Tom Kristensen and Mike Costin.

There will also be an exhibition celebrating Motor Sport Hall of Fame inductee and Prodrive founder David Richards. This includes an ex-Colin McRae Group A Subaru Impreza, from 1996, and the 2004 BAR Honda F1 car raced in period by Jenson Button and Takuma Sato.

Adult tickets start from £20 when booked in advance. Those for children aged 5-15 begin at £5 in advance. www.raceretro.com

HOW TO GET THERE

Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, CV8 2LZ. Easy access by car from M40 and A45. The nearest train stations are Coventry, Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa. Birmingham International Airport is the most convenient for international visitors.

ALSO GOING ON

Silverstone Auctions will be hosting a sale of competition and classic cars (£5.7 million changed hands in 2017), while 250 specialist traders, exhibitors and race or rally organisers will also be present, showcasing their series and displaying a wide range of cars.

DON’T MISS

Race Retro’s live action stage has become a popular annual staple. Operating on Saturday and Sunday, it features more than 80 classic rally cars – including many from the Group B era – on a purpose-built course located close to the main exhibition halls.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

ODDBALL

Feb 2-3 – Red Bull Air Race, Abu Dhabi Pilots hit speeds of 230mph slaloming through pylons – an advanced aerial challenge and a stunning visual spectacle, with standardised technical packages to ensure parity and keep the competition close.

IN THE UK

Feb 15-18 – London Classic Car Show, ExCel More than 700 classic cars park up in London this February for the fourth running of the London Classic Car Show, which this year pays homage to getaway cars. The London Motorcycle Show takes place just next door.

IN THE UK

Feb 17 – Stunt Fest, Santa Pod Raceway Monster trucks, banger racing and drifting make Stunt Fest an ideal half-term family outing at the UK’s premier drag racing venue.

INTERNATIONAL

Feb 18 – NASCAR Daytona 500 The opening NASCAR race promises action, close racing, fireworks and quite possibly even fisticuffs. This year marks NASCAR’s 70th anniversary and the 60th running of this famous race.

IN THE UK

Mar 10-11 – Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh The first round of the MSA British Rally Championship starts in Scotland – and Jedburgh’s 12th century abbey provides the main base for an event featuring six loose-surface special stages and 45 competitive miles.

IN THE UK

Mar 17 – British Rallycross Championship, Silverstone Before the World Rallycross Championship touches down at Silverstone, watch the British RX season-opener at this newly developed facility within the existing Grand Prix circuit.

FEB 2-4 ENDURANCE Bathurst 12 Hours
FEB 18 WRC Rally Sweden
FEB 24-25 WORLD SBK Phillip Island, Australia
FEB 25 NASCAR Atlanta
FEB 27 F1 TESTING Barcelona
MAR 3 HISTORIC RALLY Tour of Cheshire