Category: Events and Shows

1. WHISTLING BILLY MAKES RACE RETRO DEBUT

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 24th Jan 2013

   You don’t get much more historic in motorsport than ‘Whistling Billy’, the 1905 steam powered racing car that has undergone a full restoration and rebuild, and will make its Race Retro debut at Stoneleigh Park from 22-24 February.

   Originally built by the White company, this steam works sprint car was made for the popular new motor racing on the dirt trotting horse tracks throughout North America. It was called Billy but was soon renamed Whistling Billy because of the howl that it made from its burners going down the straights.

   Its engine was a 1905 compound 20hp White steam car engine with Stephenson’s link motion that was soon modified to have a piston valve instead of a slide vale on the high pressure side, something all Whites had after 1907. The steam generator was a 30hp mono-tube as used then in the 30 and 40hp cars from 1907 onwards. Most of the other parts were stock parts from production cars. The car was fuelled by gasoline or kerosene and the burner jets were enormous.

   Whistling Billy started winning races; on July 4th 1905 it took nearly four seconds off the World track record for the mile with a time of 48.35 seconds (about 74 mph). Driven by Webb Jay, who believed he was driving the fastest car in the World. Its fastest recorded speed was 120 mph and Race Retro is hoping to make it whistle once again if it can bring Whistling Billy back to life in the Fire Up Paddock.

   Visitors can also enjoy high octane rally action on the Live Rally Stage on Saturday and Sunday, appearances by motorsport legends Sir Stirling Moss and Murray Walker throughout the weekend* on the interview stage, the Silverstone Auctions Retro and Classic Sale and the Fire Up Paddock as well as hundreds of traders.

   Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance and HERO, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard surface area nearer to the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

   www.raceretro.com

2. The 17th Newbury Classic Car & Bike Show & Autojumble​​​​

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 23rd Jan 2013

   Sunday 27th January 2013  @ Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, Berks, RG14 7NZ

   We return to Newbury racecourse in January where we expect to see an abundance of classic cars displaying on the hard standing in front of the grandstand. This is also a good show for bikes that tend to fill half the inside hall with trade filling the other half and most of the perimeter outside. Upstairs there is restaurant/cafe serving hot food and drinks with a balcony which overlooks the racecourse and the display of cars, there will be an all day concours competition with prizes available, this is a great little event to start the year with so why not join us.

   Admission Prices: £6 per Adult £2 per Child (7-14yrs) Under 7's free. Free Parking.
   
   Opening Times: 10am - 3pm Directions: Newbury Racecourse is in Newbury Town Centre just off the old A34. Follow signposts from the Burger King R-A-B.

   Any vehicles that have not booked in are still welcome to display and take part in the concours competition but will be required to pay the normal admission price on arrival.

   www.classicvehicleevents.com

3. Breaking News... The FH-DCE SUPER RALLY® in the UK!

   Posted on 8:35am Tuesday 22nd Jan 2013

   Held each year in a different place and organised by a different member clubs of the FH-DCE, however it has been quite a few years since we last saw this event in the UK.

   The last time was in 1989, @ Longmarston Raceway, Warwickshire and prior to that 1984, Brighton and 1979, Brands Hatch.

   The 'get togethers' started in 1964, bringing together different member clubs of the FH-DCE, however the the first Super Rally® was held at Kastelree Belgium in 1975 and has now grown to become for many Harley-Davidson® owners - a must on their events yearly calendar! Recent years have seen this event held in Germany, Lithuania and Greece.

   The Super Rally 2013 was to be held in Ireland, hosted by H-DC Ireland, however was cancelled as they had many issues and mitigating circumstances, along with issues by from some of local authorities. So this event in 2015 is great news for the H-D Riders of Great Britain.

   The FH-DCE SUPER RALLY® in the UK

   West London Harley Riders are hosting this event in 2015. Beer, bands, stalls, camping, showers, attractions, etc... More details to follow...

   venue: Lincolnshire Events Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange-de-Lings, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 2NA
   price: TBC tel: 07733 357339
   website: www.wlhr.org

   

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   Posted on 8:47am Friday 11th Jan 2013

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5. RACE RETRO 2013 REVS UP FOR TENTH ANNIVERSARY

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 9th Jan 2013

   Race Retro, the international historic motorsport show, is revving up for it’s tenth anniversary when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th February 2013, with a tribute to legendary classic motorcycles and the riders that raced them to victory.

   The Norton Owners Club will welcome Stan Dibben to its stand. Stan is the oldest surviving British World Motorcycle racing champion having been a passenger in the sidecar of Eric Oliver’s Norton/Watsonian outfit winning the 1953 World Sidecar Racing Championship, on display courtesy of the National Motorcycle Museum.

   Later in a life dedicated to motorsport, Stan was the UK expert representing NGK spark plugs in all forms of motorsport, as well as also working as a crew member on Donald Campbell’s Bluebird during the Australian World Land Speed record attempts.

   There will be a tribute in memory of Barry Sheene as its ten years since his passing with a fantastic display of the racer’s bikes. Plus there will be displays from the UK’s best motorcycle clubs as well as a chance for individual owners to shine in the Pride of Ownership competition. The popular Fire Up Paddock returns to bring legendary motorcycles back to life as they get started up so the crowds can hear the roar of the engines.

   For those looking to invest in a piece of motorsport history, visit the Silverstone Auction which specialises in the sale of modern and historic motorcycles, competition cars and automobilia.

   The auction will be open for viewing all day on Friday and Saturday morning. The sale will then start on Saturday lunchtime with the automobilia before moving on to classic and historic motor racing and competition cars and motorcycles. Silverstone Auctions is happy to accept entries into the auction and those interested should contact the team by telephoning 01926 691 141 or emailing [email protected].

   Auction catalogues will be available online at www.silverstoneauctions.com 

   For car fans, there will be a celebration of the magnificent racing history of Team Lotus with stunning displays of the legendary cars involved in Lotus’ most notable victories. Race Retro also pays tribute to the rallying career of Renault Alpine on the 40th anniversary of its first ever World Rallying Championship title with display vehicles as well as out on the Live Rally Stage.

   Rallying with Group B will be out in force on Saturday and Sunday, putting on an amazing showcase for visitors on the purpose built course that features a new layout for 2013 to keep the cars and drivers challenged with a new set of twists and turns.

   If you prefer to be apart of the action, get behind the wheel of a professionally prepared rally car from HERO, the Historic Endurance Rallying organisation, and its ‘arrive and drive’ fleet. For just £30, you can put a classic rally car through its paces and get a feel for rally driving on a purpose built course.

   Head to the interview stage to see special guests such as the legend Sir Stirling Moss and the iconic voice of motorsport Murray Walker. They will be answering your questions as well as signing autographs. Plus there will be motorsport quizzes with the chance to win some great prizes.

   Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard surface area nearer to the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

   To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com