Famous faces open the London Classic Car Show

A host of famous motor sport faces helped get the second London Classic Car Show started yesterday, including rally legend Ari Vatanen (picture above, left) and Prodrive chairman Dave Richards (pictured above, right).

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, made an impressive entrance driving a McLaren F1 – the supercar that is being honoured at the show with a special display curated by its designer Gordon Murray.

Earlier, Murray had been joined by Ari Vatanen, the 1981 World Rally Champion, to officially open the four-day event at the capital’s ExCeL.

Vatanen later teamed up with David Richards, his victorious co-driver from 1981, to launch the ‘Pinnacle of Rallying’ display featuring all six of the flame-spitting, four-wheel-drive machines from the iconic Group B era in the 1980s.

F1 driver Jenson Button with model and petrolhead Jodi Kidd.

Another highlight was the official Opening Ceremony for the Classic Six Nations Cup, which sees ten classic cars representing the American, French, Italian, Japanese, German and British motor industries parading on The Grand Avenue. A public vote throughout the show will decide which nation wins.

To open this debate, television presenter Suzi Perry hosted a panel of experts, including former F1 driver Bruno Senna and renowned petrolhead and model, Jodi Kidd.