After an absence of three years, due to the Covid pandemic, Race Retro returned to the Stoneleigh Exhibition Centre, in Warwickshire, England, from February 24–26, 2023. Traditionally the start of the racing season in the UK, it is a great meeting place for those of us “in the trade” to get together, socialize and catch up on what is new.
Held in the National Agricultural Showground the event has become more sophisticated over the years- no longer are we in unheated cattle sheds, it’s now in modern warm(!) exhibition halls with excellent furnishing and lighting. Speaking personally, I don’t miss the “aromas” of the old place at all!
The event is not merely a show, there is also the Silverstone Auction of Competition Cars, Collectors cars and Automobilia; a live rally stage demonstration for spectators, plus the opportunity for passenger rides in classic rally cars. There is even a demonstration of classic Karts on a very twisty circuit around the display area.
The quality of vehicles in the Silverstone auction this year was incredible, most of the entries were in pristine condition and the huge auction hall was full to bursting. I’ve included photographs of my particular favorites but I have to admit to a slight bias; I’ve been driving Lotus Elans since the mid 1970s and this is mainly due to the TV series “The Avengers” where the heroine, Mrs. Peel, drove a light metallic blue example. That exact car was in the auction, in perfect condition, as were the other six examples on offer; all from the same collection! The blue over white Sprint belonged to the designer of the Elan, +2 and Europa, Ron Hickman, who I was privileged to meet several times. The white one belonged to films stars Sellers 1966 Lotus Elan For Sale and his wife Britt Eckland, others belonged to F1 World champion Jochen Rindt and to Keith Duckworth, designer of the Cosworth DFV engine, the most successful ever in Formula 1. Here is a link to the auction results: https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/race-retro-2023/2023-01-17
Out on the rally stage there was a full entry of cars from the 1960s to the early 21stcentury; no Minis this time but there were plenty of top-class rear-wheel drive cars and a couple of 4WD vehicles too. I have to say that a well-driven Ford Escort takes some beating when it comes to entertainment for the crowds, both the Mk1 and Mk2 just seem to look so “right”. I have to confess to not having much time for the rally cars of the “turbo-era”; even though they are appreciably quicker around the course: I guess we all favor the type of cars which were “the business” when we were of a certain age!
