Stoneleigh Park in Coventry played host to RACE RETRO, the 5th International Historic Motorsport Show 2008.  Welcoming almost 25,000 visitors which was 20% up on last year's attendance.

The event is Europe's premier show of it's type incorporating classic competition cars, bikes & Karts from the road, off road & on track disciplines.

"We're delighted with this evidence of the show's growing popularity, particularly in the current tough market," said Event Director Ian Williamson.

As well as numerous hall's full of exhibitors & a Bonhams auction is the ever popular live events which include the crowd pulling 'Rally Stage In The Park'.

The stage attracted a number of celebrity drivers & co-drivers this year with the likes of Markku Alen, Russell Brooks, Pentti Arrikala, Bjorn Waldergard & Tony Mason featuring in the group B cars brought to the show by the Slowly Sideways Group GB .

The threequarter-mile Tarmac track was the setting for some of the most iconic machinery from the golden age of rallying. Cars featured were the Audi E2 Quattro, MG Metro 6R4, Renualt Maxi Turbo's, Ford RS200's, Peugeot 205 & 405 T16's, Opel Manta 400's & an ex-works LANCIA 037 Rallye in the Martini colours. Add the ever present Ford Escort Mk I & II's to the mix & the stage was complete.

The Group B cars banned just over 20 years ago after a series of accidents took you back to a place when the 'Mickey Mouse' stages were a casual spectators dream of the RAC Rally's of days gone & as the heavens opened on the Saturday afternoon everybody watching & competing were taken back to the late 70's & early 80's once more.

With a mix of displays and trade stands there was something for everyone "Our 440 exhibitors rose to the occasion," concludes Event Director Ian Williamson, "with unprecedented standards of presentation and outstanding exhibits. We were thrilled to see so many enthusiastic visitors and we're already looking forward to next year's show."

Race Retro, the fourth International Historic Motorsport Show, combined live action events with 440 stands covering 70 years of historic motorsport on both two wheels and four – on road, off road and on track. The organisers would like to thank the show's sponsors: Bonhams, Proteus Cars, Hagerty (insurance sponsor), The History Channel, Octane magazine, Millers Oils and Footman James (motorcycle area sponsor).