HISTORIC MOTORSPORT SHOW - (Coventry) 24-26 Feb 06

Posted: March 2, 2006 2:39 PM

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 No1, exhibited on its stand. 

MOTORSPORT HEROES
A host of motorsport stars were freely 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 4th International Historic Motorsport Show will soon be announced.

More details and photos on:

Historic Motorsport Show

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PRE EVENT NEWS SEVEN DECADES OF MOTORSPORT
International Historic Motorsport Show
Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, 24-26 February 2006

• MOTORSPORT HEROES
  Each day will see a major figure from world motorsport officially opening the Show at 10am.
• THE GREAT MARATHON RALLIES
• BONHAMS AUCTION
• HISTORIC MOTORSPORT SHOW SELLS OUT
• GIACOMO AGOSTINI HEADS STAR CAST OF TWO-WHEELED HEROES
• TWO WHEELS AND FOUR at the International Historic Motorsport Show 2006
  Ex-works TR4s on show.
• FILLING UP FAST!
• Show details
• Group B rally car stage
• Ticket Details

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22/02/06
MOTORSPORT HEROES
Each day will see a major figure from world motorsport officially opening the Show at 10am.

On Friday, David Richards CBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Prodrive Group, winner of six World Rally titles, five touring car championships, and second position in the F1 World Championship with BAR Honda, will open the Show. Richards himself was an accomplished rally co-driver, who won the FIA World Rally Championship in 1981 with Ari Vatanen.

On Saturday, motorcycle superhero Giacomo Agostini will officially open the Show. Agostini holds the honour of having won more Grand Prix motorcycle races than any other rider. By the time he retired, Agostini had won 122 Grands Prix, 12 Isle of Man TTs, 18 Italian Championships and 15 World Championships.

Sunday will see Vic Elford and Jackie Oliver open the Show. Elford was both a race and rally driver for Porsche in the early days of the 911, sensationally winning the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally. His skills as a race driver also brought victories ranging from the Daytona 24 Hours to the Targa Florio and the Nurburgring 1000Km. Jackie Oliver climbed the single-seat ladder to an F1 career which included driving for Colin Chapman in Team Lotus, as well as for BRM. In 1969, teamed with Jacky Ickx, Oliver scored an outright victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in a Ford GT40. In 1978, he started the Arrows Formula 1 team.

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THE GREAT MARATHON RALLIES
The latest display to be announced is a significant feature on the 'big five' endurance rallies, from the 1968 London-Sydney to the 18,000-mile Vuelta a la America del Sud of 1978. Andrew Cowan, who took part in all five rallies and won three of them, will be at the Show, while other competitors from these great endurance events coming to the Show include Mike Broad, Willy Cave, Brian Culcheth, Paul Easter, Tony Fall, Roy Fidler, Paddy Hopkirk, Alec Poole and Rosemary Smith. The Show will also welcome team managers from that era: Peter Browning, Bill Price and Stuart Turner.

Cars on display on The Great Marathons feature in Hall 1 include SMO227G, the Austin 1800 (or 'Land Crab' as it became known in rallying) thought to be the only car in the world to have finished both the 1968 London-Sydney and the 1970 World Cup Rallies; Andrew Cowan's Triumph 2.5Pi from the World Cup Rally; and a Hillman Hunter to the exact specification of the 1968 London-Sydney-winning car.

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BONHAMS AUCTION
Star cars in the Bonhams auction taking place at the Show include the ex-Pierre Alexandre Popoff 1992-94 Italian GT Championship Ferrari F40 Competizione/GT, estimated at £170,000 - £220,000; the 1928 Bentley 6 1/2-litre Sports Two-Seater, estimated at £200,000 - £250,000; and the 1988 Kremer Porsche 962C which came ninth at the 1988 Le Mans 24 Hours, this last estimated to sell at £170,000 - £200,000.

Historic Motorsport Show

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16/02/06
HISTORIC MOTORSPORT SHOW SELLS OUT
By the beginning of February, all but 11 stands at this year's International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park, on 24-26 February 2006, had been snapped up by exhibitors. Race organisers and preparers, competitors and affiliated trades from the world of historic racing, rallying and motorcycling are all eager to be part of the only show in Europe dedicated to this fast-growing area of motorsport. For the 20,000 visitors to the Show, the enthusiastic reaction from exhibitors means that this year's Show will be better than ever, with an even greater range of live action and static attractions. Fortunately, there is plenty of room for spectators, so -- although advance ticket sales are also up by a third on last year -- there will be no need to turn anyone away! Meanwhile, the public's growing fascination with the history of motorsport has been recognised by the History Channel: the satellite/cable/digital channel will be promoting the Historic Motorsport Show in the run-up to the event. It has also given its backing to the vast (30 sq metres) Massteknik screen to be used at the event itself, bringing action highlights from across the Show to the very centre of the venue. From Group B rally cars on the outdoor rally stage, to the autotests, historic kart racing and indoor pre-'65 motorcyle trials, not to mention the host of celebrities attending the Show and signing autographs, visitors will be kept abreast of the action from all round the Stoneleigh showground. Brief films from the History Channel will also be shown on the Massteknik screens, to make sure that every visitor -- whatever their focus of interest -- will have an enthralling and informative day out. And it doesn't end there. Prestige Sports Events has offered two hospitality passes to attend a Formula 1 test day at Silverstone Circuit as prizes in the Show's Market Research Survey free draw. By completing a Survey at the Show, visitors stand a chance of winning a privileged insight into modern-day Formula 1 -- and to experience history in the making!

Historic Motorsport Show

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22/01/06
GIACOMO AGOSTINI HEADS STAR CAST OF TWO-WHEELED HEROES

Fans of classic competition motorcycles are in for a rare treat at the 3rd International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park on 24-26 February 2006. A feast of famous bikes and riders will be coming to the Show, with Giacomo Agostini opening the Show to the public at 10.30am on Saturday 25 February.

Agostini is just one of many big names from the world of two-wheeled sport who will be available for autographs. Eight-times TT winner Phil Read will be there, not to mention Steve Parrish, plus seven-times TT winner Mick Grant. In addition to the star guests, a host of very special bikes will be on display, including Mick Grant's first Manx GP bike: the Jim Lee Velocette which led to his TT racing career.

Alongside the Jim Lee Velocette on the main motorcycle feature stand will be two of Barry Sheene's World Championship-winning bikes, those which took him to victory in 1976 and 1977. These bikes belong to the Sheene family and this will be the last opportunity to see them in Europe. After the Show, the two Suzuki RG500s (in Heron colours) will be returned to Australia.

Barry's World Championship bikes will be displayed next to the Fred Walmsley Manx Norton, his own personal classic racing bike, which Barry road to a double win at Donington Park in the 2001 British GP support race, and also to a win at Goodwood in 2001.

On the same stand is one of the very first Kawasaki works superbikes: the 1972 H2R 750, with its three-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine, ridden in its day by Gary Nixon. It has just arrived from America in its characteristic bright green and white livery, complete with Daytona scrutineering tags on the Randy Hall racing frame. The bike's tank is signed by Gary Nixon, Randy Hall and team manager Bob Hansen.

With all this comes the spectacular indoor pre-'65 classic motorcycle trial, with both solos and sidecars, not to mention the Show's four-wheeled action and displays. From Group B cars on the rally stage, to autotests and historic kart racing, plus 450 displays covering historic racing, rallying, hillclimbs and drag-racing, trials and classic motorcycles; plus engineering, car preparation and accessory companies; to books, art and memorabilia, an autojumble, and a Bonhams auction; there's something for everyone.

Historic Motorsport Show

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12/12/05
TWO WHEELS AND FOUR at the International Historic Motorsport Show 2006
Ex-works TR4s on show.

Major attractions at the 3rd International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park, 24-26 February 2006, will include displays on two wheels and four, including the world's first pre-1965 indoor motorcycle trial.

** Motorcycles - and a World First **

Classic competition motorcycles will play a prominent part in the 2006 Show, with one of the main feature stands dedicated to World Championship bikes from all parts of the sport. Bikes on display will include examples ridden to victory by Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, Les Graham, Jeff Smith, Martin Lampkin and Bernie Schreiber.

Still on the two-wheeled theme, a definite crowd-pleaser will be the indoor classic motorcycle trial - with both solos and sidecars! This will be the first time an indoor trial for sidecars has ever been run; it will also be the first pre-1965 indoor solo motorcycle trial. The indoor course, designed by world-famous trials rider Martin Lampkin, will feature landscaped logs, rocks and trees, and promises a real challenge for the sidecar outfits.

** Triumph Rally Cars **

For those who prefer four wheels, the main rally feature stand - sponsored by Triumph specialist Revington TR - will showcase a fleet of ex-works Triumph TR4s from the 1960s, together with their supporting service vehicles. All three surviving TR4s (registration numbers 3VC, 4VC and 6VC) from the highly-successful 1962-64 Standard Triumph factory rally team will be on the stand, together with many of the drivers and co-drivers.

** Historic Kart Racing **

New for 2006, historic racing karts will also form part of the live action* at the Show, using a specially-built outdoor oval course. As with all live events at the International Historic Motorsport Show (such as Group B rally cars and championship-level autotests), access is included in the ticket price. So, too, are the 450 displays covering historic racing, rallying, hillclimbs, drag racing and trials; classic motorcycles; plus engineering, car preparation and accessory companies; books, art and memorabilia, and a Bonhams auction.

Advance tickets and further details on:

Historic Motorsport Show

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26/11/05
FILLING UP FAST!
Exhibitors have responded in force to the announcement of the 3rd International Historic Motorsport Show (24-26 Feb 2006) by booking their stands earlier than ever. By the beginning of November, almost 60% of the available space had gone - with over 90% of the main racing car hall already booked.

In 2005, there were 450 exhibitors and over 20,000 visitors. The 2006 show will be a spectacular experience, with its combination of indoor exhibition halls, Bonhams Auction, the Historic Motorsport Awards Dinner and four live events.

Major confirmed exhibitors already include the FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix World Championship, HGPCA, the Grand Prix Masters Series, Orwell Supersports, VSCC, HSCC, European Formula 2/Formula Atlantique, Formula Junior, Historic Motor Racing News, U2TC, Jochen Rindt F2:1600, CSCC, Motor Racing Legends, Classic Formula 3, the 500cc Association, Tour Britannia, the Hillclimb & Sprint Association, 750 Motor Club, Lotus Drivers, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari Owners Club, MG Car Club, MG Owners Club, Bugatti Owners Club and Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.

On the rally side, there are the BTRDA, the Classic Rally Association, Classic Events, Club Modr Cymru, the Alpine Rally Association, HERO, 4x4 Explore, the Roger Albert Clark Rally, the Historic Rally Car Register, David Sutton Motorsport, Lancia Stratos Club, Association of Rootes Car Clubs, and many more.

The new Hall 2A is filling rapidly with an eclectic mixture of booksellers, memorabilia and a special automotive art section built around a central area for engineering and accessories.

In the engineering and car preparation areas, more than 100 companies had booked by early November, with more coming in every week, while interest from the classic motorcycle racing industry is proving stronger than ever this year. There is a large autojumble area and, of course, a major Bonhams auction on the Saturday.

All this - plus live action on the Group B rally car stage, the indoor classic motorcycle trial, championship-level autotests and historic kart racing.

Historic Motorsport Show

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20/10/05
Show details
Europe's premier winter show for historic motorsport is back, with a whole host of fresh attractions for 2006. The Third International Historic Motorsport Show promises live action, combined with the spectacle of 450 displays throughout the venue's four main halls - capturing the thrills and nostalgia of 70 years of motorsport.

Included in the 2006 ticket price is access to the Show's four live events. . .
- Group B rally car stage
- Indoor classic motorcycle trial
- Championship-level autotests
- Historic kart racing
. . .making it an unmissable day out for the whole family.

But whatever your area of interest, there's plenty to entertain the Show's expected 20,000 visitors. From historic racing, rallying and hillclimbs, through drag racing, trials and classic motorcycles, to classic car and motorcycle books and an autojumble, visitors can't help but be swept up by the excitement of this unique event.

Newcomers to the historic world can explore all aspects of this affordable and fast-growing sport, while experienced enthusiasts can mix with the competitors, series organisers, race preparers and engineers to share the latest news. Not to mention the famous names from motorsport who come to the Show - several of them actually competing in the live events!

In this, its third year, the IHMS is recognised across the industry as THE historic motorsport show. By mid-October, 90% of the exhibitor space in the main racing car hall has already been booked, while auction-house Bonhams has announced the Show as the chosen venue for a major sale of classic and historic cars and motorcycles.

Don't miss out on the chance to experience seven decades of motorsport at one action-packed, three-day show. In the words of Sir Stirling Moss OBE, "It ‰s the best show I have ever been to."

Advance tickets cost £15 for one day or £28 for two days, with accompanied children under 15 free. On-the-day prices are £18 for one day or £30 for two days. Call the Ticket Hotline on 08450 70 68 70, or book online from 15 November 2005 at

Historic Motorsport Show

(using the Tickets Page).