Race Retro historic show details announced

Race Retro, the international historic motorsport show, is gearing up for a new era in 2009. With a new promoter taking over, the three day show will pay tribute to all forms of motorsport, from the historic to the high speed and the rare to the retro. Visitors will see live racing, famous drivers and celebrity guests as well as displays of racing cars and motorcycles, motorsport memorabilia and demonstrations at Race Retro, held 13-15 March 2009 at Stoneleigh Park, UK.

Entering its sixth year, Race Retro will be organised by the UK’s leading automotive event organisers Live Promotions along with established members of the Race Retro show team. Lives’ Managing Director Colin Ward said: “We’ve been promoting automotive events across the UK for the past 35 years and Race Retro will be a valued addition to our annual events portfolio. The show was founded by historic motorsport enthusiasts, delivering a show full of rare finds, quality exhibitors and live racing.

“Our plan for 2009 is to remain true to the show’s core values, showcasing rare historic vehicles and with appearances from successful drivers from the past 60 years, racing clubs and series, as well as a mix of exhibitors offering motorsport parts and tools, clothing and memorabilia. New features such as live demonstrations and displays of more ‘retro’ vehicles from the 70s and 80s will complement existing features such as the Live Rally Stage, the iconic Ace Cafe, the Bonhams Classic and Historic Motorsport Auction and the thrilling Wall of Death.”

The first decision to be made by Live was the chosen marque for 2009 and its choice won’t disappoint as they have chosen the stunning Aston Martin, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its 1959 World Sports Car Championship win. There will also be special tributes to the Mini, celebrating 50 years of success on the World Motorsport stage and the Triumph Bonneville, also celebrating 50 years.

Aston Martin Sports sells at Dorset auction

The recent auction sale held by Dorset Vintage and Classic Auctions, based in Stalbridge, England, proved that enthusiasts and collectors of all types of historic vehicles are still willing to invest in their interest, despite the well-publicised credit crunch.

The star of the show was a 1937 Aston Martin 15/98 Sports has found a new home in the North of England, selling for the sum of £55,000 ($156,000 NZ). The new owners are intending to rebuild the original engine (at present, the Aston is fitted with a Riley Big Four), obtain FIA papers and race the motor car at the Classic Le Mans.

Other notable sales included: a 1930 Humber 16/50 Tourer which sold for £15,950 ($45,300 NZ) and a 1949 Rover 75 P3 for £9,350 ($26,500 NZ). The motor car which became the most sought after on the day was a 1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super 1600 Saloon, in restored condition and prepared for historic rallying. It sold eventually for a staggering £7,260 ($20,600 NZ).

Aston Martin to Revive Lagonda

Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, has confirmed that it is his intention to revive the Lagonda marque. After 16 months of Aston Martin returning to the status of an independent manufacturer, Bez thinks it is time to think about the long term future — and the Lagonda name will feature in that future.

Originally founded by Wilbur Gunn, an American who emigrated to Great Britain in 1897, the first vehicle to bear the Lagonda name was an air-cooled cycle. The name ‘Lagonda’ was the French form of the American Indian name for Buck Creek, a river close by Gunn’s home town of Springfield, Ohio. Their first car — a four-cylinder, 20hp machine — was introduced in 1907.

Over the years, Lagonda had many sporting successes with subsequent cars and, by the mid ’30s, the great W O Bentley was working for Lagonda as their chief engineer.

In 1947, Lagonda were taken over by David Brown and absorbed into Aston Martin.

Aston Martin now plan to revive the Lagonda’s old model name — Rapide — for a new four-door sports car, which they expect to show in concept form next year. Bez is confident that a new Lagonda could be available for sale by 2012.

Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin has released a snapshot of their rather tasty  new One-77; intended to be the ultimate creative interpretation of the renowned British marque. This will be the first all-new Aston Martin since being sold by Ford and falling under the direction of an investors’ group led by Prodrive’s David Richards.

According to the boys at Aston, the  One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning and recognisably Aston Martin design to create possibly the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Based on a sophisticated carbon-fibre chassis with a handcrafted aluminium body, the One-77 is powered up by a whopping, 7.0 litre V12 which promises to  deliver neck-snapping, tyre-frying  performance. Expect a searing 0-60mph time of around 3.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph (320kph). If you want one of these bespoke Astons, you’ll need suitably deep pockets — the One-77 will knock you back a cool one million quid (NZ$2.6M) — and a direct line to Aston Martin; who only plan to build 77 of these cars for their most discerning (read: wealthy) customers. Aston Martin expect to reveal the One-77 later this year, with cars going on sale shortly afterwards.

Aston Martin DB9 – 171

Unless you’re a foot fetishist, it’s not often the light pressure of a toe will bring you this sort of smile; this flutter in the belly. But sit in Aston Martin’s DB9, lightly depress your right foot, and the soundtrack you’ll unleash will have just that effect.

The massive 6.0-litre V12 is based on that of the DB7, but fettled to release around 22 additional kilowatts.

But it’s not the numbers that impress — though 335kW at 6000rpm and 570Nm at 5000rpm is impressive enough. No, it’s the sheer wall of noise you unleash. For beneath the car adjustable baffles ensure it sounds sanitised round town, but on the open road the covers come off and all 12 throats bellow their joyful song. And what a song. That rasping undernote; the ripples as the throttle blips itself when you snick down the gears.

And though this is an auto, you can snick down them thanks to those magnesium paddles tucked just behind the steering wheel. It’s a clever system — a button on the dash for park; others for reverse, neutral or drive. Tap a paddle to access the gears manually; tap ‘D’ to revert.