The Second International Motorsport Show
25, 26, 27 February 2005 at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry
It is hard to
believe this event is only in its second year, as it is already such a
part of the Historic Motorsports Calendar. Ian Williamson and his team
produce a Classic Event with a convivial atmosphere which encourages the
enthusiast to stop and linger. Even the threat of the worse snow and ice
of the winter could not deter people from travelling the breadth of the
country to be at this event.
After the gloss and glamour of the Autosport Show at the NEC the Stoneleigh Motorsports Show is in some way complimentary to its glitzy sister event, Whilst Autosport is about the business of Motor Sport Stoneleigh is about the nuts and bolts of the sport. This event is for the grass roots competitors who are doing it all for fun. Which is not to say that some of the exhibits are not jaw droppingly gorgeous, or that there is anything less than the finest exhibits on show displayed with tremendous professionalism. But there is that element, of love, and enthusiastic passion, which can sometimes be lost when you view the higher echelons of motor sport.
At Stoneleigh the Donnington Collection displayed Derek Bell's Brabham BT26, with Derek being reunited with the vehicle for press and public on the Saturday. Other marques represented at the show were BRM, Porsche, Lotus, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Matra, and the original Chevron B1 owned by Vin Malkie. Four Halls crammed with goodies, collectibles, desirables, and events that were simply must do.
Vin Malkie's Chevron (Jeff Bloxham)
The BWRDC brought to the event their unique collection of Silverware which is presented as trophies each year to their illustrious champions. Exhibited for the first time to the public these glittering prizes were part of an eyecatching display to welcome members and prospective members to the stand.
The piece de resistance was a last minute addition lent for the occasion by Tony and Jill Gosnell of Auto Suggestion, Bramshott, Hampshire. The piece being a Silver miniature of the Clubs grand prize The Wakefield Trophy. The miniature like its big sister was won by Mrs E.H. Wood in 1938. No one at the club had known of the miniature's existence so we were very grateful for the opportunity to see it and display it at the show.
Susan
TP-Jamieson and Helen Bashford-Malkie with the miniature Wakefield Trophy
(Alan Jones)
Like the visitors to the show the club's representatives, had travelled some distance to be on the stand, Susan Jamieson and Jane Farthing travelling from Cornwall and Devon respectively, Janet McPherson came down from Manchester, whilst our ever enthusiastic Web Master Antonia Loysen made the trip from her home in Magny Cours.
Susan Jamieson was very busy during the Saturday and Sunday signing copies of her book "Women in Motorsport" the last few copies of which are now offered for sale at the show price of £15.00 plus post and packing.
BWRDC members Antonia Loysen, Janet McPherson, Susan TP-Jamieson and Lynn
Jones (Jeff Bloxham)
Stand organiser Lynn Jones said. "We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to be at Stoneleigh again. It is such a terrific event we hope we will be able to return year on year. We have made many new contacts here and reinforced other links which began at The Autosport Show earlier in the year. We are pleased that despite the weather so many people made the effort to come and see us and talk."
Lorina
McLaughlin with Jeff Jamieson on the BWRDC stand (Alan Jones)
BWRDC members who visited the stand
Tiffany Chittenden, with her father Mike