Historics make proud showing
Motorsport show pulls in 20k punters
 Lancia 037  Aston Martin DB4 Zagato  Vanwall on show |
The International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park pulled in more than 20,000 attendees over 24-26 February, with its mix of live action, motorsport heroes and world-famous competition cars and bikes -- not to mention 449 exhibitors and 368 journalists. Some tales from the Show include:
Group B Rally and indoor motorcycle trial Two of the most popular crowd-pleasers were the sideways action of the Group B rally car stage and the indoor pre-'65 classic motorcycle trial. The motorcycle trial, running both solos and sidecars, was a world first which ran ten times over the weekend. Five-times winner of the Scottish Six Days Motorcycle Trial, Mick Andrews, managed to stay penalty-free on the first day, while Peter Gaunt proved almost as successful. Also enjoying riding in the trial was seven-times TT winner Mick Grant on his Ariel.
Historic kart racing
Live action in the form of Historic Kart Racing was another first for Stoneleigh. One competitor arrived with a kart which had not run for 30 years. When a carburettor problem seemed sure to prevent his participation, he scoured the Show's autojumble, found what he needed, fitted the new carburettor and fired the engine up for the first time in three decades.
Sales success
The four heated halls housed 449 exhibitors -- from series organisers and race preparers, through engineering and accessory companies, to classic car and motorcycle books and an autojumble. Feedback from the industry was very positive. Taking just one case as an example, Enduro Cars -- which launched its Jaguar C-type recreation at Stoneleigh Park -- sold a staggering 17 cars at the show. The company even had two clients trying to outbid each other to buy chassis No.1, exhibited on its stand.
Motorsport heroes
A host of motorsport stars were available to sign autographs at the Show. The public lined up to meet such icons as Giacomo Agostini, Pentti Airikkala, Russell Brookes, Vic Elford, Paddy Hopkirk, Sir Stirling Moss, Jackie Oliver, Phil Read and Bjorn Waldegard, to name but a few. The top story of the Show, however, must be multiple British Rally Champion Russell Brookes, leaving the Historic Motorsport Awards Charity Dinner on Saturday night. Looking around for the bus to return him to the hotel, Russell approached a likely-looking individual and asked if he were the bus driver. "No," came the reply. "I am Giacomo Agostini from Italy."
Next year
The dates of the fourth International Historic Motorsport Show will be announced soon.
Really enjoyed the "Slowly Sideways" Rally Car display -
TR7 V8
Audi Quattro
6R4
Lancia
Porsche
Peugeot
All from a brilliant era where there were more manufacturers taking part and events like the RAC were events
and where you would stand in a forest all night just to see them. Alas no more
Giacomo Agostini
If your like me and didn't know who he was this page is what comes up on google. The guy is a legend! Nice!
Tis a pity as this show over the past couple of years has made the Autosport International look expensive, now they're on a par.
Good show nontheless, but they've gotta sort out their pricing.
philbob said:
If your like me and didn't know who Giacomo Agostini was . . . .
I didn't know who Pentti Airikkala was . . . Rally legend!
The Autosport Show is obviously much more glitzy, but I liked the down to earth nature of last weekend. I'll definitely go again next year.
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