RACE RETRO IS BACK IN ACTION

The event's welcome return to Warwickshire was a riot of restored racers - plus a record-breaking auction sale

- SIMON HUCKNALL

After a three-year absence, Race Retro was back in full swing at its familiar Stoneleigh Park venue from 24-26 February. Bringing together the cream of the historic motorsport industry in three indoor halls, plus two live rally stages in Stoneleigh's grounds, this year's event attracted an audience of more than 22,000 over three days, with big-ticket personalities present, 130 rally cars in action and some red-letter lots up for grabs at the on-site Silverstone Auctions sale.

Hall 2A's Live Stage was a major draw throughout the show, with Touring Cars star Jason Plato, FIA Ladies World Rally Champion Louise Aitken-Walker and British Rally Champion David Llewellin all fronting individual sessions on each day of the event.

The 'reawakened' BRM - with its stunning recreation of the legendary V16-engined P15 racing car taking pride of place on the stand fielded not only three members of the founding Owen family, but also former engineer Mike Pilbeam and ex-test driver Mike Wilds. The former gave a fascinating insight into BRM's focus on engine performance often at the expense of braking capacity while Wilds described being "sacked on the spot" by Stanley Owen for daring to suggest that the '70s P201 Formula One car would be a winner if he swapped its BRM V12 for a Cosworth V8.

Among the tuners and traders in Hall 2, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) displayed a recreation of John Bolster's legendary 'Bloody Mary' racer, albeit with the original's twin JAP engines swapped for V-twin Harley-Davidson power.