Mini celebration for Race Retro

As the Mini reaches its 50th birthday in 2009, the heritage of the model in motor sport will be a key feature of Race Retro, the Historic Motorsport Show, which runs from March 13-15 at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry.

All surviving works drivers from the Mini era of the BLMC competition department have been invited to attend the event, and those already confirmed include Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk. The celebration will also cover other former works drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, admin staff and team managers.

A collection of some of the most significant ex-works cars in Mini history will be on display in the Rally Hall and Aaltonen will tackle the live action rally stage in his 1964 Monte Carlo Rally Cooper S.

Also being celebrated is the 50th anniversary of Aston Martin’s first Le Mans win, with one of the DBR1s taking pride of place at the entrance to the exhibition halls.