Pace notes -- your guide to what's coming up...
HMI builds on success for ’05
Historic Motorsport International: Historic motorsport will again be showcased at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry for three days at the end of February. Building on the success of the inaugural event, the 2005 version will be 50 per cent bigger in terms of exhibitors.
Unlike in 2004, the five halls will be clearly defined: one will house rallying and off-road sport, while another will be for race and speed event organisers, including Grand Prix Masters, HGPCA, TGP and Group C/GTP.
The rally hall will include a display of cars from the 1950s through to the mid-80s, while a number of Group B machines will be demo-ed by members of ‘Slowly Sideways’.
Engineering, technology and car preparation firms will be strongly represented among more than 550 exhibitors, while other halls will include equipment, books, art and memorabilia, as well as an historic motorsport autojumble.
More than 150 competition cars will be on display, and dragsters will also make an appearance in ’05.
On Sunday morning, Scandinavian rally legends Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen will flag away the classic cars contesting the 16th Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo (see story below).
Derek Bell, five-time Le Mans winner, will be on hand to open the trade and competitor day on Friday February 25.
The show is open from 09.30 to 17.30 on Friday and Saturday February 25-26, and from 09.30 to 16.30 on Sunday February 27.
Tickets can be bought in advance for £12.50 by calling 08450 706870.
Admission on the day is £15.
For more information check out www.heritage-motorsport.com
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Race Programme — Check out where the action is…
February
When & where: 25-27 @ Stoneleigh Park, Coventry
What: International Historic Motorsport Show. See full preview on this page.
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When & where: 26 @ Silverstone
What: VSCC Pomeroy Trophy annual quirky competition to determine the best all-round touring car.
Admission: Members only
Timetable: Tests from 09.00.
How to get there: Just off A43, near Towcester, Northants — Contact: 01327857271: www.vscc.co.uk
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Drivers rise to challenge — Winter Challenge Feb 27 – March 04
The 16th running of the Winter Challenge promises to live up to its name as up to 100 crews tackle the six-day trek through the mountains of central and southern France en route to the finish in Monte Carlo.
Fresh for 2005 is a start from the International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park. On the morning of Sunday February 27 crews will be flagged away directly into a special test within the grounds of the park before heading south to cross The Channel.
Once into France, Keith Baud’s route will offer many famous roads as well as some less well known ones as the event crosses the Massif Central into the Auvergne volcano country, used in the Monte Carlo rallies of the 1950s.
The fifth day may well prove to be crucial in the quest for victory, as the testing maze of roads in the Cévennes region will punish all but the best crews.
The final run into Monte Carlo on Friday March 4 through the Alpes Maritime leads to the finish at the Hotel Hermitage, home of the Monte during the 1950s and 1960s.
Heading the entry will be the 2004 winners Peter and Anne Lock in their Morris 1800. Last year’s runners-up Bert Dolk/Jan Berkhof (Alfa Giulietta) will again lead the challenge.
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Useful Contacts
Brands Hatch: Tel/Fax 01474 872331/874766 — www.motorsportvision.co.uk
Cadwell Park: Tel/Fax 01507 343248/343519 — www.motorsportvision.co.uk
Castle Combe: Tel/Fax 01249 782417/782392 — www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk
Curborough: Tel 01543 432607 — www.curborough.co.uk
Donington Park: Tel/Fax 01332 810048/850422 — www.donington-park.co.uk
Goodwood: Tel/Fax 01243 755000/755058 — www.goodwood.co.uk
Harewood: Tel 01977 680578 — www.barc.net/harewood
Le Mans: Tel +33243 40 24 24 — Fax +33243 40 24 15 — www.lemans.org
Loton Park: Tel 01902 896699 — www.hdlcc.com
Mallory Park: Tel/Fax: 01455 842931/848289 — www.mallorypark.co.uk
Monaco: Tel +377 93 15 26 00 — www.acm.mc
Nürburgring: Tel + 49 26 91 30 20 — Fax +49 26 91 30 21 55
www.nurburgring.de
Oulton Park: Tel/Fax 01829 760301/760378 — www.motorsportvision.co.uk
Prescott: Tel/Fax 01242 673136/677001 — www.bugatti.co.uk
Shelsley Walsh: Tel/fax 01886 812211/812917 — www.shelsley-walsh.co.uk
Silverstone: Tel/Fax 08704 588200/588250 — www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk
Snetterton: Tel/Fax 01953 887303/888220 — www.motorsportvision.co.uk
Spa-Francorchamps: Tel +32 87 27 51 38 — Fax +32 87 27 52 96 — www.spa-francorchamps.be
Thruxton: Tel/Fax 01264 882200/882233 — www.barc.net
Aston Martin Owners’ Club: Tel/Fax 01865 400400/400200 — www.amoc.org
British Racing Drivers’ Club: Tel/Fax 01327 850920/850930 — www.brdc.co.uk
Classic Rally Association: Tel/Fax 01633 263366/263399 — www.classicrally.org
Historic Grand Prix Cars Association: Tel 01935 872841/ Fax 0207 609 8124 — www.hgpca.com
Historic Sports Car Club: Tel/Fax 01327 858400/858500 — www.hscc.org.uk
Historic Rally Car Register: Tel/Fax 01332 672533/672888 — www.hrcr.co.uk
Historic Endurance Rally Organization: Tel/Fax 01886 833505/833144 — www.hero.org.uk
Motor Sports Association: Tel/Fax 01753 765000/682938 — www.msauk.org
Top Hat Racing: Tel/Fax 01926 885835/885835 — www.tophatracing.co.uk
Vintage Sports-Car Club: Tel/Fax 01608 644777/644888 – www.vscc.co.uk