HISTORIC aircraft will take to the skies on the Herefordshire border at an event to celebrate 116 years of mountaineering history in Shelsley Walsh.
The impressive Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will fly by just over the border in Worcestershire on both days of the Classic Nostalgia weekend on July 17th and 18th.
A Hawker Hurricane will be in the sky over the Teme Valley on Saturday, commemorating its important service in the summer of 1940. The revered single-seat fighter was designed by Sydney Camm and is believed to have destroyed more enemy aircraft than all other air and ground defenses combined during the Battle of Britain.
On Sunday, viewers can see the Dakota ZA947 over Shelsley Walsh. The Dakota was called “Kwicherbichen” by its crews and was involved in parachute operations on the eve of D-Day, followed by replenishment and evacuation missions. By the end of 1944, 1,092 carrying cases and 467 seated wounded were evacuated to England by the 233 Squadron Dakotas.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the popular annual event, which offers a spectacular mix of exciting action on the famous mountain route, classic car demonstrations, classic car exhibitions, exhibition stands and classic car entertainment.
One of the most famous of all Ferraris will be in Shelsley Walsh, offering passenger rides to raise funds for charity partner Hope for Tomorrow. Chassis number 2735 GT is the short-wheelbase 250 GT with which Sir Stirling Moss won the 1961 Tourist Trophy for the celebrated privateer Rob Walker. It was Moss’ seventh and final TT win, and he later became the patron of Hope for Tomorrow.
The Le Mans legend Derek Bell known mountaineering as “Formula One on a garden path”, and the unforgettable sight and sound of a Grand Prix car will come to Classic Nostalgia. A 1979 Shadow DN9B, which was driven by the elegant Italian Elio de Angelis in his first Formula 1 season, will go on the hill.
Also included is a thundering McLaren M10B Formula 5000 car, demonstrated by historic racing driver Matthew Wurr. Powered by a 5 liter Chevrolet V8 engine, this car was carried by Peter Gethin to the 1970 British F5000 Championship. It was then used in speed events in the 1970s and won the British Sprint Championship twice.
There’s going to be more V8-powered excitement from an ex-Pedro Rodriguez BRM P154 Can-Am car. The Mexican ace drove chassis number two in three rounds of the 1970 Can-Am Challenge Cup – a series known for its uncompromising action.
The 1911 Fiat S76 Land Speed Record contender “Beast of Turin” joins the McLaren and BRM in Shelsley Walsh. The flaming 28.5 liter Fiat reached a one-way speed of 132 mph in Belgium in 1913 and is an amazing feat of engineering. ‘Beast’ in the name, ‘Beast’ by nature – not just how it roars in action, but also how it handles it …
The organizers have confirmed that the event will be fully open to spectators. Enthusiasts can follow the goings-on on the hill and explore the paddock – and have a lot of fun.
Fuzz Townshend from Car SOS and Grand Designs presenter and classic car enthusiast Kevin McCloud are some of the famous faces who will be at the event. You will soak up lots of great cars – and so much more.
There is also a fashion competition for the best and most authentic vintage outfit and stands with clothes and accessories, car books, art, photography and memorabilia.
To book, visit www.classicnostalgia.co.uk