Full weekend of action on 16-17 July, both on and off the hill
Access all areas – get close to the action, cars and drivers
Classic & Sports Car Concours d’Elegance set to return
Ken Fox Wall of Death to make Shelsley Walsh debut
Great cars from across motorsport history will gather at Shelsley Walsh for the Classic Nostalgia meeting on 16-17 July. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the popular annual event, which features a spectacular blend of exciting action on the famous Worcestershire hillclimb, demonstration runs, classic-car displays, quality trade stands and non-stop live entertainment.
Legendary cars
In celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, Classic Nostalgia will fly the flag by showcasing a huge array of classic and competition cars that were designed and built in Great Britain.
Ralli22 will be returning to Shelsley Walsh with a selection of Group A, Group B and WRC machinery that will give a nod to the Platinum Jubilee theme, while several examples of the iconic British Mini will be gracing Classic Nostalgia. Among them will be the Austin Cooper S that won its class in the 1965 Snetterton 500km, driven by tin-top legend Gerry Marshall and David Wansborough. The car has recently been restored to its original 1964 Aurora Gear Racing colours and will be demonstrated by Gerry Marshall’s son Gregor.
Also at Shelsley Walsh will be a delightful Mini van that is affectionately known as ‘Miss March’ – the first commercial vehicle to race competitively since the 1960s – while triple Motoring News, BTRDA and Welsh Championship-winning rally driver Mick Briant will be reunited with his 1969 Ford Escort Twin Cam.
The all-new Ecurie Ecosse LM-C will make its Classic Nostalgia debut, where chassis number EE001 can be seen for the first time in action. Hand-built in Coventry and tuned by Ecurie Ecosse technicians, the Ecurie Ecosse LM-C retains the key elements that contributed to the roaring success of the 1950s Jaguar racer while, in the true spirit of co-founder ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson, making considered improvements. The aerodynamic shape remains, still crafted from thin-gauge aluminium alloy and mounted to a steel spaceframe chassis, but wider and stiffer than before, laser-cut for accuracy. The sonorous Jaguar straight-six XK engine remains too, although capacity has been increased to 4.2 litres and fuel injection fitted to bring power up to 300bhp.
Record-breaking legend Donald Campbell was fiercely patriotic in everything he did, and his 1958 Jaguar XK 150 will be displayed at Classic Nostalgia. Wearing his personal registration ‘DC 7’, the fixed-head coupé was pictured in Aix-les-Bains alongside Campbell’s jet-powered Bluebird K7 hydroplane during a promotional tour in southern France.
It’s always a thrill to hear the sound of great racing cars ringing around the Teme Valley as they make their way up Shelsley Walsh, and among the aural treats at this year’s Classic Nostalgia meeting will be an ex-Elio de Angelis 1979 Shadow DN9B Formula One car.
The ‘Stovebolt Special’ has a remarkable history that takes in famous racing drivers, competition glory and Hollywood fame. After being raced by a young Stirling Moss, the car was shipped to the USA, painted red and driven by Kirk Douglas in the movie The Racers. Seattle resident Tom Carstens then bought it and replaced the four-cylinder engine with the all-new Chevrolet V8.
Current custodian Simon Taylor acquired the Stovebolt in 1999 and has since raced it all around the world. Simon doesn’t believe in trailering the car to events and will drive it from London to Worcestershire to participate over the weekend.
Hillclimb heroes
Shelsley Walsh has a long history of talented female drivers, and there were none better than the late Joy Rainey, who held the Ladies’ Record for a total of 22 years. Rainey’s original trophy was gifted back to Shelsley in 2021 and is now a perpetual trophy to honour her remarkable achievements. It will be presented to the ‘Fastest Lady’ at Classic Nostalgia, and last year was awarded to Sarah Thorne in a Lotus 20/22.
Stephen Hepworth will take the wheel of the four-wheel-drive Hepworth FF, more than half a century after his father David became the first driver to break the 30-second barrier at Shelsley Walsh. David went on to win the 1971 British Hillclimb Championship.
Classic & Sports Car Concours d’Elegance
On Sunday, the popular Classic & Sports Car Concours d’Elegance will return to Classic Nostalgia. It is open to all cars built before 1985, and the judging will be headed up by motoring journalist and regular Shelsley Walsh competitor Simon Taylor. He will be joined by John Mayhead, classic car valuations expert from event partner Hagerty, plus Alastair Clements, editor of Classic & Sports Car magazine.
Entries are welcome from any concours-worthy car, with priority given to those with significant provenance and rarity. There will be four classes to be judged.
Enter your pre-1985 classic
There will be preferential ‘pole position’ parking for all pre-1985 vehicles – allowing owners to pre-book a place right at the heart of the event.
Classic Vehicle Parking Information
Car Clubs
Classic Nostalgia has become a firm favourite for car club gatherings, and this year more than 20 clubs have confirmed their attendance. Several will be commemorating significant anniversaries including Club Alpine Renault, which will be marking the centenary of Alpine founder Jean Rédélé. The MGB Register, meanwhile, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the MGB.
Classic Nostalgia looks forward to welcoming the following car clubs: Alvis Owner Club, Riley Register Owners Club, MG Car Club Midland Centre, Bromsgrove and District MGOC, Doghouse Owners Club, MGB Register, Porsche Club GB (PCGB), Midget and Sprite Club, XKEC Jaguar Car Club, Shropshire & Welsh Borders Region of the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club, Central & West Midlands Region of the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club, Figaro Owners Club, Marcos Clubs, The Morgan Sports Car Club, Gay Classic Car Group West Midlands, Abarth Owners Club, South West Midlands Mazda MX5 Owners Club, Club Alpine Renault, Alfa Romeo Owners Club West Midlands, Alfa Romeo Owners Club Cotswold Section and HCVA.
Who doesn’t love a party?
Get your dancing shoes on for a party in the Courtyard with live bands throughout the weekend – from swing, rock ’n’ roll, rhythm and blues, and Motown to a Beatles tribute act!
Something not to be missed is the Ken Fox Wall of Death stunt show, which will be making its Shelsley Walsh debut. As seen on Channel 4 with Guy Martin, the Fox family have been touring and entertaining since the 1920s with their Wall of Death. The riders perform incredible stunts and acrobatics around the 20ft vertical wall on their vintage Indian Scouts. The noise, the speed, the smell and the proximity of the bikes to the top of the wall – barely six inches from the audience – is breath-taking.
Trade stands
In addition, there will be a fashion competition for the best and most authentic vintage outfit, as sponsored by Piston Gin, and trade stands selling everything from clothing and accessories to motoring books, art, photography and memorabilia. It’s been a tough few years for many small businesses, so as a way to help the recovery process, Shelsley has reduced trade stand pitches by nearly 50%.
Admission
Date: 16-17 July 2022
Event address: Shelsley Walsh, Worcester, WR6 6RP
Ticket price: Visiting car club/classic car owners day entry £15, weekend £30.
General admission £20 per adult in advance or £25 on the gate.
Children under 16 free
Times: 8am each day, until approx 5pm
Please note: no dogs allowed
Book in confidence – COVID-19 SECURE
If the event has to be cancelled due to coronavirus, your tickets will automatically be valid for the following year, unless a refund is requested within 30 days of the event cancellation.
The perfect venue
First used in 1905 and in continuous use ever since, Shelsley Walsh is the oldest motorsport venue in the world that still features its original course.
Known throughout the motoring world for its unique atmosphere, Shelsley allows enthusiasts to get close to the action as well as the cars and drivers. General admission tickets for Classic Nostalgia are ‘access all areas’, allowing visitors to walk around the paddock and soak up the wonderful atmosphere.
