Race Retro 2008, the international historic motorsport show, will pay tribute to the competition history of the Ford Motor Company and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ford Escort’s involvement in competitive motorsport.

Held from 14th to 16th March at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, the show will have displays of famous Ford rally cars as well as a tremendous display of the iconic Ford GT40.

From the World of rallying, Ford’s most successful discipline, the Escort Mark 1 and Mark 2 and the RS Cosworth will be on display and will be reunited with the former drivers and champions who drove them over the past 40 years.

Names already confirmed include British Rally Legend Gwyndaf Evans, who spent 15 years rallying Fords and was also its chief test driver, Ford’s former Director of Motorsport Stuart Turner, Ford Rally Manager Tony Mason and the former Ford Rally driver and current Ford WRC team leader Malcolm Wilson.

The show will also display all the Ford motorsport cars from the Gatsonides Mark 1 Zephyr to the Gronholm WRC Focus as well as a showcase of amazing Flathead Fords with a Bonneville theme. The Ford classic car clubs will be out in force including the AVO, RS and Sporting Escort Owners Clubs as well as the GT40 Enthusiasts Club and the Old Skool Ford Club, all with displays of their favourite club cars.

Fords will also feature heavily in the live action demonstrations inside and outside of the halls as the Live Rally Stage features genuine works cars including the Escort Mark 1 and Mark 2, the RS Cosworth and the RS200. These vehicles will be showcased alongside a host of Group B rally cars from Rallying’s most dramatic period.

Historic and rare competition cars and motorcycles from eight decades will be on display at Race Retro including off road, road legal and track racers. The show is aimed at active and potential motorsport competitors, classic motoring and motorsport enthusiasts, and specialist trade representatives, attracting over 20,000 visitors each year. Over 60 per cent of attendees attend race meetings with 44 per cent owning or sponsoring a competition car.

Other features include a replica Ace Café and Fire Engine Bar, informative seminars, celebrity autograph signings and photo opportunities. There is also the Bonhams Classic and Historic Motorsport Auction as well as the opportunity to conduct private car sales and test drives.

With historic kart racing demonstrations, a popular and growing discipline, and championship level autotests, showcasing expert car control, as well as the vintage ‘Wall of Death’, a great travelling live show featuring Indian V-Twin motorcycles, visitors will have plenty to keep them entertained.

Race Retro also boasts two days of thrilling live action demonstrations inside and outside of the halls. The Classic Rally Car Stage features a host of legendary Group 4 rally vehicles and celebrity drivers who will share their motorsport experiences. Previous guest drivers include Stig Blomqvist, Michele Mouton, Pentti Airikkala and Russell Brookes. There will also be historic kart racing demonstrations, a popular and growing discipline, and championship level autotests, showcasing expert car control, as well as the vintage ‘Wall of Death’, a great travelling live show featuring Indian V-Twin motorcycles.

For more information on Europe’s premier historic motorsport show and the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com