Race Retro Show 2015

This great show is always a big favourite - and this year was easily the busiest yet. 

The OUMF stand looked excellent, and with the spotless Riley racer, the knackered 'Monte Carlo' Wolseley and the little Austin J40 'Settrington Cup' Goodwood contender projects exhibited on it, there was something of interest for all show goers. As a result the flow of visitors never really ceased, and on Friday particularly, it was absolutely rammed - and mostly it seemed, with the directors of companies that support us!

They were especially interested in the the way in which their components and services had been deployed on the Riley racer, and all were extremely impressed with the standard achieved. This included TOYO Tires, Mike Quaife, GDM Cooling, Gauge Pilot, Mintex, Questmead, Cometic, D&A Steering, ARP Fasteners, BTB Exhausts, All Stage Cylinder Heads, Bailey Morris, British Motor Heritage, Blockley Tyres, Straight Eight, Powerlite, Thermex, Turrino Wheels, Classic Silicone Hoses and Central Scanning. Dave Richards (Prodrive/Aston Martin) said he'd help one of our students, Ahron, with a placement, Stuart Turner (ex BMC and Ford works team manager) said he was keeping an eye on our progress and wished us well, and ex-World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen offered us encouragement with the Wolseley project - " Go flat out!" -  and signed our photograph of the Wolseley on the Monte Carlo Rally.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was a chap with a large moustache who said " My names on your car!!". It was Freddy Camp who hadn't seen the Wolseley 1500 since driving it on the Monte Carlo rally in the 1990's - its last event. He asked if we'd found the molegrips clamped on the rear brake pipe which he'd had to use when the brake cylinders blew coming out of the Alps? We had - and it was great to learn of the story behind this discovery at last! Many racers and race preparation specialists - including top Goodwood driver Barry 'Whizzo' Williams - spent a long time in and around the car giving us advice and the benefit of all their career experiences.

All in all, it was a very interesting and enjoyable weekend, and a great start to 2015!