Report: Race Retro Show, Stoneleigh, 20-23 February

Race Retro a Stoneleigh - the season's first big in- and out-door event - proved as successful as ever, with more than 29,000 visitors taking in the see rally drivers and racers spanning over 80 years on display and in action on the live stage.

Visitors were greeted by James Hunt’s McLaren M23 Formula 1 car on arrival before heading towards the popular ‘Speed Street’, passing a superb line-up of McLarens on the way including the centerpiece of the 50th anniversary celebrations – Emerson Fittipaldi’s 1974 double championship winning M23.

In the Rally Hall, there was a collection of Metro 6R4s marking 30 years of rally action but it was out on the purpose built rally stage where these iconic cars came to life. They performed alongside Group B and C rally cars including Rauno Aaltonen’s Mini Cooper, the Rothmans Audi Quattro, the Brookes Sapphire and ex-Auriol Ford Sierra Cosworths, and the ex-McRae Lotus Cortina.

Back in the halls, and the crowds were delighted to find British motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss on the interview stage with host Gemma Scott and the queues for the autograph signings on sponsor Peter James Insurance stand crossed into two halls.

Other motorsport greats including Touring Cars’ Win Percy, World-renowned navigator Willy Cave, Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis, multi-championship titleholder Barry Lee, World Sidecar champ Stan Dibben and the ever-popular Barrie Whizzo Williams also made appearances. Visitors were also treated to interviews with triple British Rally Champion turned Hollywood stunt driver Mark Higgins, and TV motoring presenters Quentin Willson (below), Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer and Classic Car SOS’ Fuzz Townshend.

On Sunday afternoon it was all go as the competitors on the Retro Challenge, heading to the South of the UK, and the Winter Challenge five-day rally to Monte Carlo drove off the start line into their first test on the rally stage before hitting the open road. Silverstone Auctions was also busy as its Retro and Classic Sale came to a close with 65% of the lots sold for £1.6million, including Senna’s Honda NSX, which sold for £85,000.

Race Retro returns to Stoneleigh Park from 20-22 February 2015. For the further updates, visit www.raceretro.com.