Classic Motorsport Legends Visit The Classic Motor Show

There’s a strong motorsport theme running through this year’s Classic Motor Show, and many disciplines, from trials to circuit racing, are represented. But it’s not only cars that are representing motor sport – several key drivers from yesteryear are planning to visit too.

The Jowett Car Club is adopting a motor sport theme on its stand, with all cars on display having a sporting background. Celebrating 60 years of Jowetts in competition, the club is showing a 1923 model that has competed since it was new, along with later Javelin and Jupiter models.

Staying on a British theme, the Marcos Owners’ Club is marking the company’s half-century, and is showing the LM model that competed at the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hour. There’s also the only road-going EVO LM.

If you fancy a competition car from across the English Channel, how about a competition-prepared Matra Bagheera? These French classics are rare enough on the UK’s roads, and competition-prepared models are even scarcer – even in their home country.

Coming back to Blighty, if you’re a Mini lover, make sure you drop by the Mini Cooper register stand, which is showing a selection of competition examples. And Paddy Hopkirk, who won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally at the wheel of a Cooper, will be making an appearance.

Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams is also expected to make an appearance on the Live Stage where he’ll be explaining how to get into classic motorsport as well as giving his views on the current F1 season. The accomplished all-rounder has enjoyed a successful career driving numerous make and models in all kinds of events, still racing today, and is still a hit with enthusiasts.

Sporting classic car clubs are also rolling out some prime examples of the cars running in their events: if your thing is rallying, the Historic Rally Car Register will be showing some of its members’ cars as will Quinton Motorclub, while on the circuit side, expect a fine array of cars from the Historic Sports Car Club, whose calendar of events caters for tin tops, single-seaters and sports cars.

There’s also a fabulous display on the Bugatti Owners’ Club stand – the club, which was founded in 1929, has championed hillclimbing from its Prescott venue for more than five decades.

Whatever your classic motor sport interest, make sure you don’t miss the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC between the 13th and 15th November 2009. The show is packed with around 1,400 of Britain’s best classic cars and motorcycles as well as many other live events and attractions, including the Live Stage, Restoration Theatre and hundreds of trade stands selling more parts, spares and motoring paraphernalia than you could imagine.

For more information, the latest show updates and to book tickets, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.