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The SKOPE Classic is the first of the Southern Festival of Speed [SFOS] events covering the South Island of New Zealand in February each year.

The SKOPE Classic is organised by the Mainland Classic Committee in conjunction with the Canterbury Car Club who own and operate the Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna Raceway, on the outskirts of Christchurch City.

The Southern Festival of Speed Series has been running as a Historic and Classic racing series since 1989 with hundreds of competitors from all over the world bringing their cars to New Zealand to re-enact the famous “down under” racing of the 60s, and 70s.

The 2008 SKOPE Classic will be held on the 1st/2nd/3rd February on the Powerbuilt Tools Ruapuna circuit. The invited marques for the 2008 event are CANAM, and Allard. A class will also be run for single seaters including Formula Atlantic and F5000.

The second SFOS series event is on the smaller Levels Circuit, Timaru. This circuit is unsuitable for CANAM. The following weekend 16th/17th/18th February, on the wider flowing Teretonga circuit, Invercargill the CANAM class will also be featured along with Allards and Formula Atlantic/F5000. This event is a great chance for competitors, family, and crew to enjoy the beauty of the South Island scenery between racing events.

February in New Zealand is usually mild, with 65-75F degree days and cool evenings. Travel distances are minor in comparison to other large countries which will allow plenty of time to explore all that the South Island has to offer with something for everyone, from vineyards with fine wine and food, sea and river fishing, to action attractions such as horse racing, bungy jumping, white water rafting, parapunting and spectacular scenery.
Continue reading "SKOPE Classic: The Southern Festival of Speed"

This is just a short reminder about the H&H upcoming auction taking place next week on Tuesday 19th & Wednesday 20th June.

Automobilia - Tuesday 19th June
Viewing from 10am
Sale starts promptly at 12 noon

Highlights include:

- A collection of original design drawings by renowned 60s car stylist Trevor Fiore including proposals for Jaguar, Alvis, Trident, Bond, Austin Healey, Lancia & Lea-Francis
- Pre-war sales brochures for Rolls-Royce, Bentley & Delaunay-Belleville;
- A selection of fabulous pedal cars;
- A collection of signed rage programmes;
- Original colour transparencies from 1955 Le Mans 24hrs race;
- A restored 'Shell-Cars For Hire' lightbox in full working order

Registrations & Motor Cars - Wednesday 20th June
Viewing from 2pm to 7pm on Tuesday 19th and from 9am on Wednesday 20th
Sale starts promptly at 1pm
Continue reading "H&H Classic Auctions - 19th & 20th June Auction"

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This week, as the Brooklands track celebrates its centenary, the most famous of the vintage Bentley racing cars are reunited at the circuit for the first time in the company of the very latest Bentley Brooklands coupe.

Bentley’s proud sporting pedigree, forged by the exploits of the immortal Bentley Boys on this famous racetrack in the 1920s and 30s, was the inspiration for the new Bentley Brooklands coupe, capturing all the style, power and splendour of that era.

During this period, Brooklands was the scene of some of Bentley’s greatest triumphs, as the Bentley Boys raced their machines on the treacherous Members’ Banking.

Two of the most successful Bentley racers at Brooklands were Speed Six models with special Vanden Plas bodies, known affectionately as ‘Old Number Two’ and ’Old Number Three’. These were the only cars created by Bentley specifically for competition purposes.

‘Old Number Two’ was victorious in its first outing, winning the 1930 Brooklands Double Twelve (a 24-hour race run over two days), driven by Bentley Boys Frank Clement and Woolf Barnato at an average speed of over 85 mph. ‘Old Number Three’, driven by Sammy Davis and Jack Dunfee, came second. Old Number Two went on that year to take second place at Le Mans behind another famous Bentley, ‘Old Number One’.
Continue reading "New Bentley Brooklands coupe celebrates circuit’s centenary"

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On June 2 and 3, the most beautiful circuit in the world has been used once again as scenery for an impressive gathering of what Italy does the best in car, bodywork and design: Spa Italia 2007 was a great show!

It is obviously not necessary to own a Maserati to take part in the event and to participate in the numerous activities since any Italian car was welcome in the Spa paddock, and not only classic cars, thus making all the enthusiasts the true actors of the event.

Ha ve a look at the first pictures of this year Spa Italia event.
Continue reading "Spa Italia 2007 was a great show!"

Regulations for the competitive elements of The Rally Show at Chatsworth are now available from
the event website, www.therallyshow.org.

The inaugural event is open to Historic, Post-Historic and Classic rally cars, cars complying with MSA Vehicle Regulations and those with current FIA homologation.

Entries opened on Monday 11 June and close on Friday 17 August.

Entry fee is £100+VAT per car, with £50 returned on starting the event.

The maximum entry for each of the five competitive events is 15, with three reserves.

The latest motorsport legend to accept an invitation to the Rally Show is British-born Vic Elford, the
gifted all-rounder whose outright wins with Porsche include the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally and the Daytona 24 Hours race - a week apart!

In the same year, Vic made his Formula One debut in a Cooper, starting from last place on the grid of the French GP, but eventually finishing the rain-lashed race in fourth place.

The 72-year-old (now US-based) also won the very first rallycross meeting at Lydden Hill in 1967,
driving a near-standard Porsche 911. He won the British Touring Car Championship, with the same
car, in the same year!

For more information on Vic Elford, please visit www.vicelford.com.
Continue reading "The Rally Show at Chatsworth 2007"

It is now official: the long circuit will be open for the fourth retrospective of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 11TH-12TH & 13TH OF JULY 2008.

Le Mans Classic will thus continue its indefatigable rise to the historic motor racing events pinnacle.

Once again, it will put together the cars which wrote the 24 Hours history book between 1923 and 1979. The fourth meeting will keep to the spirit which made its success: succession of races during 24 hours, hugest club car ever gathering 6000 cars from abroad, auction, merchant village, one contest for the clubs and one for the “Le Mans“ original chassis.
But...

Little Big Mans is the new Organisers' fancy idea to make the event even more exciting!

THE FULLY UPDATED WEBSITE WILL BE ONLINE AFTER SUMMER HOLIDAYS AND THE ENTRY FILES WILL BE SENT AT THE SAME TIME. More Information at http://www.lemansclassic.com

The 2007 roger albert clark rally sees the longest route to date with over 191 competitive miles with all bar one mile on loose. Colin Heppenstall Rally Manager said "This years route is the most compact yet, and should offer both the competitors and spectators great value". He went on to say "The layout of the stages will give the spectators a great opportunity of seeing the crews at least 4 times on the opening two days"

The introduction of more night stages will give the competitors a challenge and spectators a sight that is not normally seem in British Rallying in the modern era.

Car Parking arrangements and sale of tickets will be announced later.

Regulations will be available towards the end of June, from the web site at www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org
Continue reading "Roger Albert Clark Rally: Preliminary Route Announced"