A postcard from Race Retro

Historic racing season surges into action as clubs, circuits, competitors and fans meet to whet appetites for the year ahead

Packed halls, packed action on the asphalt and the Motor Sport Live Stage packed with motor racing greats – that was this year’s historic motor sport show at Stoneleigh. There was even live painting to entertain the large crowds.

Forty years on from the Lotus 79 debut, ground-effect cars like Williams FW07, Chevron B48 and Porsche 956 surrounded luminaries such as Brian Redman (left), Miki Biasion, Jaguar tester Norman Dewis and Russell Brookes in their live Motor Sport interviews. Silk Cut colours on a Jaguar XJR-9 recalled that historic Le Mans victory 30 years ago, while outside over 100 classic rally cars, some helmed by past champions, thrilled spectators on an improved rally stage. Rally organisers HERO offered experience drives in a fleet of classic cars for those who weren’t quarrying treasures from the rows of automobilia, art and racing book stalls. It was three days of historic indulgence.