CHRYSLER AND BMW REIGN SUPREME ON RALLY ROUND’S INAUGURAL AFRICAN ADVENTURE

CHRYSLER AND BMW REIGN SUPREME ON

RALLY ROUND’S INAUGURAL AFRICAN ADVENTURE

 The inaugural Rally Round Africa rally saw the crews at the wheel of a 1929 Chrysler 75 and a 1972 BMW 2002 Touring reign supreme at the Cape Town finish line. Canadians David and Barbara Berks took the overall win in the Vintage category while Australia’s Steve and Ruth Lambert claimed the honours in the Classic category.

Organised by Rally Round, the experts in organising epic motoring adventures around the world, 26 crews took part in the four-week adventure

which started in Dar es Salaam. The mix of classic and vintage cars journeyed some 6,700km through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Swaziland, as well as South Africa.

Event Director Liz Wenman said: “Our first adventure across Africa was a huge success both on the road and off. As well as special tests and regularities, our competitors enjoyed six safari drives along the way and visited stunning Reserves and National Parks, where they got up close with Africa’s famous ‘big game.’ It was a great mixture of competition whilst making sure the crews also got to enjoy the fantastic surroundings.”

The Vintage Class award was given to Laurie and Pam Lyford in the 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Couple, who were also presented with the Spirit of the Rally accolade. Neil and Alex Lawson-May came second in the 1935 Buick Sedan with third place going to Chris and Kathy Grace in the 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe.

In the Classic Class for Pre-1966 cars, Claudine Bloom and Andrew Twort secured first place in the 1965 Volvo 122 Amazon, with Chris and Judy Beighton’s 1965 Ford Mustang in second.  The 1955 Morgan Plus 4 of Jeremy Holden and Victoria Oliver secured third place as well as the Against All Odds award after suffering multiple mechanical breakdowns but never giving up day after day.

In the Post-1966 cars Class, first place was awarded to Johan Gitsels and Walter Op T’Roodt in the 1973 Porsche 911. Second place went to Lorenzo Castellini and Paolo Melloni in the 1973 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super, while third was Alastair Caldwell and Rachel Christodoulou in the 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL.

The final awards were presented to the winning team which went by the name ‘Team Austang’, comprising of Alec and Barbara Hammond and Chris and Judy Beighton, both in 1965 Ford Mustangs, and Steve and Ruth Lambert in the winning BMW. There was also an award for Gary Anderson and Harry Dobrzensky who won the ‘Hire Car’ category in the Ford Ranger.

Thanks to the popularity of this year’s event Rally Round has already announced a second Africa adventure is planned for 2021 with entries already being reserved.

Rally Round offers amazing adventures all over the world and, with a full calendar up until 2021 and beyond. It creates unique events that combine the passion for historic motorsport with the adventure of global travel.

The next event is in April 2019, when Rally Round will take a group of experienced rally crews on the Trans-Himalaya Adventure in April 2019, an unforgettable high altitude 

SANTA POD UNVEILS EXCITING NEW EVENTS FOR 2019

SANTA POD UNVEILS EXCITING NEW EVENTS FOR 2019

There is exciting new action on offer at Santa Pod Raceway in 2019. No fewer than six brand new events will be added to its already busy calendar.

The Springspeed Nationals is the first of the new line-up, to be held on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May. If the name and date seem familiar, they offer a fond tip of the hat to Warwickshire’s recently closed Shakespeare County Raceway, where this national Sportsman event ran on that weekend for many years.

Another Sportsman event, the Green Light Nationals, joins the roster on 17th and 18thAugust, providing the nation’s finest Sportsman racers with a chance to compete at the height of summer.

Fans of April’s The Fast Show can rejoice at the addition of The Fast Show Reloaded on Sunday 30th June. The show offers another opportunity to get vehicles of all shapes and sizes on to Santa Pod’s famed quarter-mile or on display in the Autoglym Show & Shine competition. It’s a fine excuse to get together with one’s automotive chums for another day of putting the pedal to the metal or simply for chewing the fat surrounded by glittering machinery. To that end, club bookings are very much welcomed so expect to find displays catering for all vehicular tastes. In addition, there will be a line-up of high-calibre entertainment in the Live Action Arena and around the venue.

There’s also something fresh on the list for many marque-specific enthusiasts.

The famous Griffin comes to Santa Pod in the form of The Vauxhall Show (Sunday 28thApril), welcoming everything from Corsas to Vivas to the dragstrip and the showground alike. While renowned for their reliability, affordability and even modify-ability(!?), Vauxhalls are a popular choice for everyone from new drivers to the current crop of everyday petrolheads. The dragstrip will be ready and waiting, so VXR owners should need no further encouragement to make the most of this opportunity to drop the clutch and test their vehicles’ performance in a safe and legal environment.

Five weeks later, German engineering takes the stage at Das Auto Show (Sunday 2ndJune). German car manufacturers are extremely popular on the roads in the UK; whether you’re looking for an efficient hatchback, high-performance monster or simply a touch of class, the chances are you’ve at least thought about buying German. The modern line of performance vehicles makes them popular on the dragstrip too, with the likes of the BMW M series, Audi RS series, VW R and GTI series, and even Mercedes AMG series, all capable of recording some mightily impressive quarter-mile times. Then we have Porsche, a name which speaks for itself in the automotive world. We can’t wait to see which one of these Deutschmarque heavyweights winds up on top of the pile at the end of the weekend.

The third new marque-specific event spotlights the ever-popular blue oval when The Ford Show arrives on Sunday 7th July. Founded in 1903, FoMoCo has sent more than its fair share of products down the dragstrip during Santa Pod’s 53 operational years and they remain no less popular today in the National Championship ranks. Fords of all shapes and sizes can be found from entry level right up to Pro Modified, the pinnacle class of ‘doorslammer’ racing. The Ford Show, however, is not just for the drag racing and muscle car hardcore. There’s the heavy emphasis on modern ‘hot hatches’ and performance models as well as on popular classics such as early Escorts, Capris and Cortinas, and everything in between. Use of the track is not only permitted but encouraged, as is entry into the Autoglym Show & Shine competition and club stand bookings.

See Santa Pod’s 2019 calendar and full details of these great new events at www.santapod.com, or pick up a print-edition copy from Santa Pod’s Stand 2680 at Autosport International at the NEC Birmingham, 10th-13th January.

ATLANTA CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE RELOCATES TO NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION - TYLER PERRY STUDIOS

ATLANTA CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE RELOCATES TO NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION - TYLER PERRY STUDIOS

BENTLEY AS FEATURED MARQUE, CAFFEINE AND OCTANE PRESENCE AND THE METROPOLITAN CHAPTERS OF 100 BLACK MEN JOIN TO DEMONSTRATE CONCOURS' PROMINENCE IN ATLANTA COMMUNITY

ATLANTA, December 13, 2018 – The Atlanta Concours d’Elegance blazes a new trail in 2019 as it relocates to Tyler Perry Studios in downtown Atlanta—growing its significant weekend of events to include the first annual Caffeine and Octane Invitational and highlighting Bentley as the featured marque in honour of the brand’s 100th anniversary. The 2019 show, set for October 19- 20, 2019, blends the historic atmosphere of a new location with the vibrant community of South Atlanta, all while showcasing vintage and modern-day vehicles from some of the rarest collections to be found nationwide.  Enhanced support for the 2019 concours weekend from the Metropolitan Chapters of 100 Black Men bring an additional positive impact to the Atlanta community.

According to Bill Wallet, CEO of The Atlanta Concours d’Elegance, the move is consistent with the show’s master plan for the Atlanta Concours to evolve into a unique Concours that is customized around the City of Atlanta. “The move to Tyler Perry Studios provides an absolutely unique, history-

a rich environment that is conveniently located—while placing the entrant vehicles in a setting reflecting the time period during the earliest years of automotive production.”

Tyler Perry Studios, opportunely located between downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, offers three key assets to afford growth for the rising concours -- ranging from providing local attendees accessible transportation and parking to offering up a much larger show field -- all of which allow for the addition of more entrant vehicles, sponsors and vendors. Specific convenience includes:

• Local proximity – with a potential audience of 6.5 million Atlantans in the metropolitan area, the venue located within the I-285 perimeter affords timely access and minimal traffic
• Venue Accessibility – set alongside the MARTA rail station at the Lakewood/Ft McPherson station, coupled with a significant increase in parking space surrounding the venue, attendees have choices for an easier commute and overall transportation ease
• Increased Participation – due to a larger and visually pleasing facility, the show’s ability to host more vehicles, sponsors and exhibitors affords attendees an increased entertainment factor that blends the finest collections of rare and vintage vehicles and ride and drive opportunities with tech clinics and seminars highlighting vehicle heritage, innovations and restoration—presented by industry leaders—all within a unique environment for a Concours. A variety of food, artwork and automotive vendors will be highlighted.

Waller noted that as the Tyler Perry Studios location builds upon the heritage aspect of the respected Concours and instils a true ‘personality’ for the show, several traditions will remain including the annual Magnificent Seven Competition, which debuted in 2017 and for 2019 will be the highlight of the first annual Caffeine and Octane Invitational. The Saturday, October 19th invitational event will feature up to 200 cars selected by the producers of the popular NBC Sports Network ‘Caffeine and Octane’ show to be displayed and filmed on the parade field with only seven standouts

to be chosen and shown again to the public in Sunday’s official Concours as they compete within their own unique ‘Magnificent Seven’ class. The program, the first of its kind, is an innovative way to bridge two distinct sections of the greater car world and helps foster interest across genres and generations.

“We’ve tapped a unique opportunity to grow involvement for car aficionados who may not be car collectors in the strict concours sense but are still enthusiasts who take deep pride in the vehicles they own,” said Wallet.

77th MEMBERS’ MEETING RACES AND HIGH-SPEED DEMONSTRATIONS CONFIRMED

77th MEMBERS’ MEETING RACES AND HIGH-SPEED DEMONSTRATIONS CONFIRMED

With all the new races and high-speed demonstrations confirmed for the 77thMembers’ Meeting taking place 6-7 April 2019, Goodwood are pleased to now be able to announce the full race and high-speed demonstration list.

As previously announced there will be three high-speed demonstrations which will take place on both days of the event, these will feature the BMW M1 Procars, Le Mans Prototypes and NASCAR.

There will be three new races, the Betty Richmond Trophy, John Duff Trophy and the Sheene Trophy, with previous fan-favourite, the S.F. Edge Trophy, making a return for 2019.

Vehicle entry lists and driver lists, along with event timings will be revealed closer to the event.

The full race list can be seen below:

Parnell Cup (20 mins)

For Grand Prix and Voiturette cars, of a type that raced between 1935 and 1953

Gerry Marshall Trophy (45 mins – two drivers)

For Group 1 saloon cars of a type that raced between 1970 and 1982

Tony Gaze Trophy (20 mins)

For road-going sports and GT cars of a type that raced between 1954 and 1959

Derek Bell Cup (20 mins)

For 1-litre Formula 3 cars of a type that raced between 1964 and 1970

Sheene Trophy (20 mins)

For Formula 750 motorcycles of a type that raced in F750 and open 750cc races worldwide up to 1972

John Duff Trophy (20 mins)

For Vintage sports racing cars of a type that raced prior to 1930 

Graham Hill Trophy (45 mins – two drivers)

For closed-cockpit GT cars and prototypes in the spirit of the RAC TT races, 1960-1964

S.F. Edge Trophy (15 mins)

For Edwardian Specials of a type that raced up to 1923 

Gerry Marshall Sprint (15 mins)

For Group 1 saloon cars of a type that raced between 1970 and 1982

Gurney Cup (20 mins)

For sports prototypes of a type that raced between 1960 and 1966

Betty Richmond Trophy (20 mins)

For Mini saloons and variants, of up to 1300cc

Peter Collins Trophy (20 mins)

For sports racing cars of a type that raced between 1948 and 1955 

Full details on each of the new races and high-speed demonstrations can be found at https://www.goodwood.com/media-centre/ 

Tickets to the 77th Members’ Meeting are available now to Goodwood Road Racing Club and Fellowship Members. For information on how to join the Fellowship click here.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG AT BEAULIEU’S HANDS-ON HALF-TERM - FEBRUARY 16th – 24th

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG AT BEAULIEU’S HANDS-ON HALF-TERM - FEBRUARY 16th – 24th

Become an inventor for a Hands-on half-term at Beaulieu, get inspired by the wonderful machines from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and take part in activities to make your own creations from February 16th-24th.

In the National Motor Museum follow in the footsteps of Chitty’s on-screen creator Caractacus Potts and build your own balloon car. Colour in and customise your car before racing – how fast can yours go?

Discover the film’s amazingly inventive machines of Rowland Emett as they whir into life in the recreated Coggins’ Garage – including the Humbug Major Sweet Machine, Clockwork Lullabye, Little Dragon Carpet Sweeper and Hot Air Rocking Chair.

Don’t miss the rest of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 Years exhibition with the fantasmagorical original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious and the original Child Catcher carriage. Dress up for a selfie in the replica Grandpa Potts’ hut, see Sally Anne Howes’ life-size music box doll dress and the actual Spy Phone prop used in the film.

Outside in the grounds, see a stunning Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction being driven around the attraction.*

For half-term, all visitors will also be given a free DVD or CD of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang stage show when they spend £5 or more in the Beaulieu gift shops.*

Fill in our new travel log to create memories from your visit to Beaulieu and complete the fun activities, fascinating questions and drawings, then collect stamps as you visit each part of the attraction.

At Palace House discover curious gadgets from the 19th century and put your deductive skills to the test to work out what they were used for. Take a peek below stairs and see Lord Montagu’s cook at work in the Victorian Kitchen, then talk to the costumed guides to find out what life was really like in a Victorian country house. Meet the costumed monk in 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and have a go at creating a medieval arch, before trying on a monk’s habit.

Make sure to take a pit stop break at the Brabazon Restaurant, where younger visitors can put pen to paper to design a wacky invention before enjoying a Toot Sweet treat!

All of the February half-term activities are included in a general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its collection of more than 250 vehicles from throughout motoring history, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. For tickets or more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation.

* Chitty driving outdoors will be weather dependent. One DVD or CD is offered per transaction, subject to availability.

THE PERFORMANCE & TUNING CAR SHOW IS 2019 ‘HOME OF THE CAR CLUB’

THE PERFORMANCE & TUNING CAR SHOW IS 2019 ‘HOME OF THE CAR CLUB’

The world’s most renowned car manufacturers will all be on display in a dedicated car club area of the 2019 Performance and Tuning Car Show.

Petrol-heads will have the chance to see a selection of some of the most prestigious and highly regarded supercar, road and race cars at the show at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-13 January 2019.

An iconic Lamborghini Diablo SV, Lamborghini Huracan and Lamborghini Aventador S, are set to turn fans heads on the Lamborghini Club UK stand. Recognised as the sole marque club in the UK by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, Lamborghini Club UK are already bringing some Italian elegance to the show next month.

Always a firm favourite at the show, Porsche Club GB will be back to exhibit some historically significant race cars including the 917/30 Sunoco Porsche Club Championship Winning 996 and the 1974 RSR National Hillclimb Winning Car. As the largest officially recognised Porsche Clubs in Europe it promises to bring some truly sumptuous and iconic cars from the Stuttgart-based marque.

The BMW Car Club GB will also be on hand to bring some true performance and power from Germany. Gracing its stand will be Rick Kerry’s V8 1 Series, as used in the British Touring Car Championship, alongside a wide selection of E36’s and E46’s. BMW Car Club GB is the largest single BMW car club in Europe and will bring plenty of other metal to the show.

This year’s car club line-up will get some Va Va Voom injected into it, courtesy of Renault Sports Club. Its display will be led by a legendary 302bhp Renault Clio V6 Phase 1 which has competed in the 2018 MSA Protyre Asphalt Championship. There will be plenty of power on offer from Renault Sports Club, including the brand-new Renault Megane 280, presented In Volcanic Orange, it really will be hard to miss Renault Sport’s latest hot hatch.

Power is in the offing from the Custom Fords Club, who will have an incredible array of some of the most unique Fords in the UK in Hall 3A across the show weekend. A monumental Ford Focus RS boasting 1010bhp will take pride of place on the club stand. The car is devoid of all restrictions and is arguably the most powerful Focus in the world, with a host of performance and aesthetic upgrades the car will be joined by a selection of epic machinery from the Ford marque. An Escort mk4 painted in Nardo grey, an Escort Cosworth in Metallic Purple and the first Mk7 Fiesta ST wide-arch in the UK being built especially for the show make the Custom Fords Club a feature you will not want to miss!

In addition to the wide range of car clubs exhibiting at the Performance and Tuning Car Show, the wider show within the NEC will feature an established array of stunning and exotic performance cars and displays from top manufacturers.

Just when you thought that was enough, entrance to the Performance and Tuning Car Show also includes a seat at the Live Action Arena and entry to Europe’s largest motorsport show, Autosport International.

Events Director, Kate Woodley, said: “Having these esteemed car clubs exhibit helps bring a different element to the Performance and Tuning Car Show. By locating them close to each other, visitors will be able to go from one club to the next with ease. We can’t wait to welcome some truly magnificent clubs to the NEC and see the amazing performance cars they are displaying.”

The Performance and Tuning Car Show which is part of Autosport International and Motorsport Network’s flagship title, Autosport – one of the world’s leading print and online motorsport publishers. Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent automotive and motorsport-related digital platform, connecting millions of people who love motorsport and cars. The network also creates key industry events including the annual Autosport Awards and the Motorsport Business Leaders’ Forum.

Tickets are on sale now for the established motorsport season starter, which will pack in more exhibitors, stars and cars than ever before. Make sure you get yours today, head over to https://www.autosportinternational.com/performance--tuning-car-show

SIXTIES HEROES THEME FOR 2019 CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC THEME FOR 2019 CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC

SIXTIES HEROE

 SIXTIES HEROES THEME FOR 2019 CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC THEME FOR 2019 CASTLE COMBE AUTUMN CLASSIC

Sixties heroes theme for 2019 Castle Combe Autumn Classic

Heroes of the 1960s will take centre stage at the eighth Castle Combe Autumn Classic, which is confirmed for Saturday 5 October.

The early details of the 2019 event include a celebration of 50 years of Formula Ford at the Wiltshire track, an all-Alfa Romeo race and displays to mark 60 years of Marcos.

First run in 2012, the Autumn Classic is now firmly established as a must-do date on the classic racing calendar and consistently delivers glorious racing from grids full of cars of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

The 2019 edition will celebrate a golden decade of motor racing, both nationally and internationally. As well as being the decade of flower power, Carnaby Street and the 1966 World Cup, the 1960s was a memorable time for British motor racing. Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees and Jackie Stewart were all World Champions as Lotus and BRM took on Ferrari.

Closer to home, the 1960s was the decade of Special Saloons, Modified Sports, Clubmans and Formula Ford and in 1969 the Castle Combe Formula Ford Championship was created as the first circuit-based championship in British motor racing. The inaugural champion was Bryan Sharp (Merlyn Mk11) and 50 years of the circuit’s Formula Ford Championship will be celebrated next October.

Already confirmed for the event are three races from the Historic Racing Drivers’ Club, including the exciting new Classic Alfa Challenge. Many of the cars are from the 1960s, though the post-historic class allows cars from up to the 1980s to join the grid. The HRDC will bring two more grids, full to capacity with sports, GT and touring cars of the 1950s and 1960s.

The circuit’s heroes of the 1960s will be remembered, including saloon car racers like Vince Woodman, Brian Cutting, Geoff Mabbs and Richard Longman. Meanwhile, the 1968 season was notable as it heralded the arrival of Howard and Pat Strawford as officials for the South-Western Centre of the British Racing and Sports Car Club. By the mid-1970s, the Strawfords were running the circuit and fighting to keep it open.

It was in 1959 that the late Jem Marsh built the first Marcos sports car and the Autumn Classic will honour the 60th anniversary of one of Britain’s most successful and best-loved specialist car manufacturers. The company was based in Bradford-on-Avon and then Westbury and delivered race-winning cars and striking road cars for nearly half a century. With the support of the Marsh family, a huge gathering of Marcos cars will be a prime feature of the event.

For more details about the Castle Combe Autumn Classic please visit www.autumnclassic.co.uk