Rally-Driver.com: "TOO FAST TO RACE" GROUP B RALLY CARS ROAR INTO RACE RETRO

"TOO FAST TO RACE" GROUP B RALLY CARS ROAR INTO RACE RETRO
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Elton on 19 January, 2008 12:00:00
 
The cars deemed too fast to race, the exhilarating Group B Rally cars, will be
wowing the crowds at Race Retro 2008, the international historic motorsport
show. Held from 14th to 16th March at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry, the cars
are being brought to the show by the Slowly Sideways Group GB and will roar
along the three-quarter-mile asphalt rally demonstration stage on Saturday 15th
and Sunday 16th March, 2008.
Race Retro 2008 will see the first appearance of the very rare
Michelotto-prepared Ferrari 308GTB QV Group B cars of the 1983 season, which
have never been seen outside mainland Europe, as well as an example of the most
spectacular Audi rally car of all, the hugely be-winged 600 bhp E2 quattro. They
will be joined by examples of the MG Metro 6R4, Renault Maxi Turbo, Audi quattro
and Ford RS200.
A selection of Group B monsters with African rallying history will also be in
action, headed by the 1988 Juha Kankkunen Paris Dakar winning Peugeot 405 Turbo
16, recently released from the Peugeot factory collection and thought to be
appearing in public for the first time since its glory days in Africa. Also in
action will be four former Safari Rally cars, including an ex-works Peugeot 205
Turbo 16, ex-works Opel Manta 400s in both Rothmans and Marlboro colours, and an
ex-works Lancia 037 Rallye in Martini colours. To round off the African theme,
these will be joined by an ex-works Toyota Celica Turbo from the Bandama Rally,
in the familiar Marlboro livery.
To add to the celebration of 40 years of the Ford Escort in competition, the
Slowly Sideways GB Group B cars will be joined by three rally-winning ex-works
examples of Escort Mk1, Escort Mk2, and Escort RS Cosworth machines. All these
impressive vehicles will be driven on the live action rally stage by celebrity
drivers from the original Ford works rally squad.
With informed live commentary provided by Tony Mason, 1972 RAC Rally winning
co-driver with Roger Clark in an Escort Mk1 and former Ford works team rally
manager, the live action rally stage demonstrations are not to be missed by
thrill-seeking spectators. Entrance to the live stage is included free in the
ticket price for Race Retro 2008.
Other features include a replica Ace Cafe & Fire Engine Bar, informative
seminars, celebrity autograph signings and photo opportunities. There is also
the Bonhams Classic & Historic Motorsport Auction, as well as the opportunity to
conduct private car sales and test drives. With demonstrations of historic kart
racing (a popular and growing discipline) and championship-level autotests
(showcasing expert car control), as well as the vintage "Wall of Death" (a great
travelling live show featuring Indian V-Twin motorcycles), visitors will have
plenty to keep them entertained.
For more information on Europe's premier historic motorsport show and the
latest updates, please visit http://www.raceretro.com