Mini to join '60s celebration at Shelsley Walsh E-type weekend

Hill Climb Racing News

Mini joins the Jaguar E-Type at Shelsley Walsh this year for a 1960s celebration

Mini Shelsley Walsh 2021

Mini will be a part of the festivities at Shelsley Walsh, celebrating the '60s

shelsleywalsh.com

Author

Jake Williams-Smith

Two 1960s automotive icons will share the spotlight at Shelsley Walsh this weekend, as hundreds of Minis join Jaguar E-types in a celebration of the decade.

While the E-type will take centre stage in its 60th year, the fleet of Minis will also be unmissable. As well as an Italian Job display, there will be Mini hillclimb classes, and cars from clubs across the country.

Paddy Hopkirk will also make an appearance at the E-type 60 event, looking back on his famous Monte Carlo Rally with a Cooper S.

Among the confirmed cars is a 1964 Cooper S, driven to victory at the 1965 Snetterton 500 by British Saloon Car driver Gerry Marshall and a 1963 RAC Rally-spec Cooper S.

“My relationship with the Mini began in 1963 with competitive outings in Alec Issigonis’s latest creation on the Tour de France Automobile and the world-famous Monte Carlo Rally,” said Hopkirk.

“A year later, I took 33 EJB to victory on the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally. It was this success on the rally stage that confirmed the little car as a must-have for everyone from midwives to movie stars.

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“That win helped shape the rest of my career, but it’s also fair to say that it was further confirmation of just how capable the groundbreaking Mini was – an essential ingredient in automotive design if any product is to enjoy longevity… and what a well-deserved life it has had.”

Hillclimb runs start at 9am on both Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June, with Hopkirk appearing on the Saturday, ahead of Matthew Field, the Italian Job film author, who will be interviewed by Motor Sport’s Editor, Joe Dunn.

Live music and entertainment will be running throughout the day; a shopping village will offer plenty of retro memorabilia.

Ahead of the event, Stirling Moss will be remembered with the unveiling of a blue plaque at the hillclimb, this Friday.

Tickets for the E-type 60 event are available on the event website.

 

 

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