‘Too fast to race’ Group B Rally cars roar into Race Retro

The cars deemed too fast to race, the exhilarating Group B Rally cars will be wowing the crowds at Race Retro 2008, the international historic motorsport show. Held from 14th to 16th March at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, the cars are being brought to the show by the Slowly Sideways Group GB and will roar along the three quarter mile tarmac rally demonstration stage on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March.

2008 will see the first appearance of the very rare Michelotto prepared Ferrari 308GTB QV Group B cars of the 1983 season, which have never been seen outside mainland Europe, as well as an example of the most spectacular Audi rally car of all, the hugely be-winged 600 bhp E2 Quattro. They will be joined by the MG Metro 6R4s, Renault Maxi Turbos, Audi Quattros and Ford RS200.

A selection of Group B monsters with African rallying history will also be in action, headed by the 1988 Juha Kankkunen Paris Dakar winning Peugeot 405 T16 model, recently released from the Peugeot factory collection and thought to be appearing in public for the first time since its glory days in African. Also in action will be four former Safari rally cars including an ex-works Peugeot 205 T16, ex-works Opel Manta 400’s in both Rothmans and Marlboro colours, and an ex-works Lancia 037 Rallye in Martini colours. To round off the African theme, these will be joined by an ex-works Toyota Celica Turbo from the Bandama rally, in the familiar Marlboro livery.

And to add the celebrations of forty years of the Ford Escort in competition, the Slowly Sideways GB Group B cars will be joined in action on the stage by three rally winning ex-works examples of Escort Mk1, Escort Mk2, and Escort RS Cosworth machines. All of these impressive vehicles will be driven on the live action rally stage by celebrity drivers from the original Ford works rally squad.

With informed live commentary provided by Tony Mason, 1972 RAC rally winning co-driver with Roger Clark in the Escort Mk1 and former Ford works team rally manager, the live action rally stage demonstrations are not to be missed by thrill seeking spectators. Entrance to the rally stage is included free in the ticket price for Race Retro 2008 Other features include a replica Ace Café and Fire Engine Bar, informative seminars, celebrity autograph signings and photo opportunities. There is also the Bonhams Classic and Historic Motorsport Auction as well as the opportunity to conduct private car sales and test drives. With historic kart racing demonstrations, a popular and growing discipline, and championship level autotests, showcasing expert car control, as well as the vintage ‘Wall of Death’, a great travelling live show featuring Indian V-Twin motorcycles, visitors will have plenty to keep them entertained.

For more information on Europe’s premier historic motorsport show and the latest updates, visit raceretro.com