Race Retro 17 (photo montage added 25/4)

Yes please... I was supposed to be going today, but just got too much on at this point in the year, so I'd love to see what was there, may be people I need to chase down for Guest slots at The Gathering

Interior shots first as that's what I did first having arrived too late for the first rally car demonstrations partly due to the awful signage and the long long queue to get in). Anyway...

It was quite busy and very hot particularly as I was dressed for the outside, and dark these were taken at ISO 1000 to 1600. The exhibitors were a mix of clubs, shops (such as Demon Tweeks), clubs and a huge amount of auto-memorabilia (posters, paintings, models etc).

First up a 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Special, absolutely gorgeous, as I drive an Alfa (OK a 1.9 diesel estate) I felt an affinity to it.


raceretro17_4399 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


raceretro17_4728 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

How about some Jaguars, this MKII is rather special;


raceretro17_4404 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

check out the badge,


raceretro17_4403 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

This one just had great lines and wheels.

Ahh wheels, I like taking pictures of wheels...


raceretro17_4405 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

OZ, on a rally Escort Cosworth (I think), handy when they tell you what the make is on the wheel and car.


raceretro17_4406 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Speedline on an Audi Quattro (there were rust bubbles in the corners of the wheel arches).


raceretro17_4407 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Sierra Cosworth touring car, sponsored by Listerine.


I also like spotlights, these are Italian (so are the cars)


raceretro17_4410 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Who doesn't like a Stratos (this was an original, Hawk had a separate stand with some equally stunning examples, as well as thier bare aluminium Cobra, I've tried and failed to take pictures of that before so didn't bother this time).


raceretro17_4411 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Lancia, lovely colour.

Cibie's...


raceretro17_4418 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

on a Porsche 911 Carrera


raceretro17_4419 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

another 911, but factory fit?


There was an area for display cars (Hall of Fame),


raceretro17_4412 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Lotus-Ford 49B, my favourite F1 car although I prefer it in green-yellow


raceretro17_4413 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

James Hunt's McLaren M23


raceretro17_4416 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


raceretro17_4415 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Aston Martin GT8


raceretro17_4414 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

and a wheel can't remember what it was attached to but late 60s early 70s F1...


This is a bit out of order but is my favourite indoor shot of the day;


raceretro17_4431 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

anybody want to say what car it is...

Another engine, I did ask if it would fit in a MX5...


raceretro17_4397 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

355ci and a load of other stuff that the builder told me and I've forgotten, I think he said it was going in to an Apache pick up, with no mods to the bonnet.


Finally Silverstone Auctions were there, I didn't get to see the full range of cars (I think you had to buy a catalogue) but these were parked up outside.


raceretro17_4730 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Very nice Capri


raceretro17_4731 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Pretty awful Lagonda, it doesn't show very well but it isn't white it's cream coloured, and tatty round the edges. I like Lagonda's but not this one!


Sorry to stop on a down but next up are Rally cars in action, when I can sort out the couple of hundred images into something sensible.


Oh OK here's a taster;


raceretro17_4463 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Ari Vatanen in a Prodrive BMW E30 M3 (sounded brilliant, twin side exhausts)


More later...

Mark

I went in 2013 and there was a better selection of cars doing demo's (Rover 3500, Metro 6R4). I probably won't go again, at least for a few years.

I went up today didn't start well due to complete lack of signs telling visitors not to go to main gate. Entrance was one of the old ones that used to be used back in the early 90's when I used to go up a lot.

I quite enjoyed the show as I haven't been for quite a few years. One of the most interesting companies there was showing their front wheel drive gearbox / engine bottom end to fit a Hyabusa engine in a Mini. I took a few pictures will add them later if any came out OK.

Yes please Mark.

Here's one of my Maxis working for it's keep.

Nice pictures, I forgot to go back and look at the Fiat 131's, the Subaru and Manta (Andrews Heat for Hire) were in action on the rally stage.

With regards the inside area, I had a good chat with somebody on the Northampton Motorsport stand about Jenvey throttle bodies now I just need to save up. Also the people on the Bespoke Rallies stand about the Slartibartfast rally now if only I had £10K and a rally prepared Ford Prefect...

There was one running at The Classic & Sports Car Show last year (no I didn't go).

Before we get to the action shots a quick tour round Parc Ferme (a dark shed)

First up that Maxi, I know but I like it, behind it is a 'Land Crab' also from the World Cup rally.


raceretro17_4420 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr


raceretro17_4423 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

surprising how small it seemed, although I think the caption is "I reckon you could get a couple of boxes of Ginsters in there". Interestingly the hatch had been converted to a crudely hinged boot.

So onto some 'proper' rally cars...


raceretro17_4428 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

RS200, looked almost like a toy and was immaculate, maybe the aerodynamics kept the dirt off.

After the Metro 6R4(none were running in the afternoon) my favourite


raceretro17_4425 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Triumph TR7, not TR8 they are listed as TR7 V8. British Airways livery (?) prefer the red to the blue


raceretro17_4426 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

This should be in the spotlight section

Talking of liveries, you can't get more iconic than this


raceretro17_4429 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

'Rothmans' Escort MkII RS1800 ex Ari Vatanen

Or maybe you can,


raceretro17_4434 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

'Andrews Heat for Hire' Escort MKII RS1800, ex Russell Brookes


raceretro17_4437 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

and an Opel Manta 400 ex Russell Brookes


raceretro17_4424 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

Interloper Manta 400, miss-matched wheels with loads of room for wider wheels.

But in terms of iconic liveries


raceretro17_4435 by Mark Palmer, on Flickr

'Cossack' Escort MKII RS1800, it's not Roger Clark's RAC winning car.

Still need to edit the action shots...

There's a frood who really knows where his towel is!