Latest attractions at Race Retro

An all-new London to Sydney Marathon, which in 2008 will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original event, is to be launched at Race Retro, the International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park, 23-25 March 2007.

A faithful replica of Andrew Cowan's winning Hillman Hunter complete with kangaroo-bar, plus wheels and toolbox on the roof, will be the central feature of the London to Sydney Marathon stand at the Show. Rosemary Smith, who competed on the 1968 event, has been asked to unveil the route, which is a full overland drive to India in keeping with the concept of the original 1968 Marathon.

Route consultant John Sprinzel, who drove his home-prepared MG Midget on the 1968 Marathon, comments: “This could be the most authentic historic rally so far: original route, original cars to the correct specifications, and roads that haven’t changed much in 40 years.” The rally will feature a full crossing of Iran and Pakistan to India, something which has not been driven since the second London to Sydney of 1977.

The London to Sydney Marathon is one of the Show’s 400-plus exhibitors. The latest attractions to be announced include:

The British Rallycross Drivers Association will be exhibiting at the Show for the first time in this, the 40th anniversary of the first ever Rallycross. The BRDA plans to display both the 1983 Xtrac Escort; plus the Porsche 911 in which Vic Elford won that first 1967 Rallycross, 40 years ago. Elford himself, legendary race and rally driver of immense versatility, will be reunited with the car when he opens the Show (along with Derek Bell and Richard Attwood) on Sunday 25th March.


One of the late Joey Dunlop OBE, MBE, Honda RC45 race motorcycles will be appearing on the TT Centenary stand. The bike is the property of the Dunlop family and is the machine on which Joey won both TTs and the Ulster GP. Linda Dunlop, Joey’s widow, will be attending Race Retro and will be a guest at the Show’s Charity Awards Dinner on Saturday 24th March. The Dinner will support the Joey Dunlop Foundation, benefiting people with disabilities (see joeydunlopfoundation.com).

Many motoring clubs are using the Show to promote special activities of their own – such as the Classic Sports Car Club’s ‘trip of a lifetime’ to race at Daytona, as guests of the Historic Sportscar Racing Club of America. “Our stand at Stoneleigh will be focused on the Daytona trip,” says Club Chairman Sarah Hutchison, “and also letting people know about our prize draw for all the marshals who sign on with us in 2007 – for a pair of tickets to fly with us to Daytona in November.”

A new feature for 2007 is the doctor available at the Show to undertake Race Licence medicals, including stress-testing. Dr Mark Green is in charge of this project, and appointments must be made in advance by email to drmagreen@aol.com or 24-hour answer machine on 01737 821550.

Race Retro, the fourth International Historic Motorsport Show, combines live action events with over 400 stands covering 70 years of historic motorsport on both two wheels and four – on road, off road and on track. Race Retro 2007 runs from 23-25 March at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry. Advance one-day tickets cost £18.00 (and two-day tickets £32.00). See historicmotorsportshow.com or call 08701 262121 for tickets.