by Steven Roe
Race Retro 2012 took place at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry and had something for everyone: the history of Porsche for any car lover and the history of HRC for any two wheeled fanatic.
MotoGP Presenter Steve Parrish was at the show hosting interviews on stage in Hall 3. As ever Steve was willing to pose for photographs and sign autographs for his fans alongside his Suzuki RG500.
The event hosted an array of Honda’s, 2009 British Supersport Championship winner Steve Platter’s HM Plant Honda, 1981 Honda RS1123 ridden by Ron Haslam and the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade ridden by John McGuiness who stormed to victory in the 2011 Isle Of Man TT race. Other bikes on display included a Ducati 916R, Suzuki Katana Turbo and various Norton classics.
One of the main spectacles of HRC’s celebrations was Mike Hailwood’s RC 173 which on its own is valued at £1 million. The Honda is the only known example of the two bikes built, which won every GP he rode in 1965/66 seasons.
Race Retro held the fire-up paddock hosted by charity Road Racing Legends which helps former TT riders and their families. They started up various bikes from a drag bike to Mike Hailwood’s RC 173. This for me was the highlight of the show as it showed how through the times various rules and regulations have made the bikes of today less likely to make your ears pop.
