NEC classic to celebrate role of women in motorsport

This weekend’s NEC classic motor show will highlight the efforts of women across the classic car scene. It’s all part of the ‘She’s a beauty’ theme for this year’s show, on 13-15 November.

Taking pride of place at the show is a Bentley 4.5-litre entered into the Benjafield 24 by the Bentley Belles – a team of four female racing drivers. They’re the only all-female team to campaign a Bentley in a 24hr endurance race. Since then, they have added the same accolade to their list for the Spa Six Hour Race.

Another female racer at the show will be Jessica Harvey, who uses her MG BGT for hillclimbing. The ‘Café racer GT’ is driven hard but it also has to compete on the show scene. She won “Best modified MG” with the car at MGLive! in June.

Also at the show will be the Whyte sisters - the world’s youngest all-female endurance historic rally team. The sisters, pictured below, take part in many of the events organised by the Historic Endurance Rally Organisation (HERO).

But women at the show aren’t all about motorsport. Sandra Britton has taken her Mini to concours-winning condition. Between her and husband Colin, the 1968 Mk2 Super De Luxe has been fully restored. Sixty ‘first in class’ awards and scores of ‘best in show’ awards later, Sandra’s proud of the car. But not so proud as to trailer it – this car is driven to every show it attends.

The 2015 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held from 13 to 15 November at Birmingham’s NEC. For more information on the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show or Classic Motorbike Show as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.