RAC Rally of the Tests to use oldest motor sport venue in the world
The return of one of the most iconic and famous rallies in the world, The RAC Rally of the Tests, in November 2016 will fittingly include a visit to the oldest active motor sport venue in the world – the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.
Rally organisers HERO Events have confirmed the historic Midland Automobile Club venue in Worcestershire, which first staged the Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb in 1905, will be one of the rally’s 30 driving test locations.
Rally competitors will take on the notoriously steep and narrow hill climb on Saturday 5 November – day two of the rally which starts in Bournemouth the day before and finishes in Chester on Sunday 6 November. All 100 historic vehicles will tackle Shelsley Walsh’s 328-feet elevation which has an average 1 in 9 gradient, and is a testing 1 in 6 at its steepest and just 12 feet wide at its narrowest.
The venue provides a fantastic setting for spectators to get a close look at some truly outstanding classic vehicles including several ‘works’ vehicles such as 6 EMO, a works replica used by Paddy Hopkirk to win the Pirelli Classic Marathon in 1990, and BRX 852B, the Austin-Healey 3000 that was used also by Hopkirk as well as Rauno Aaltonen in the 1960s.
HERO Events chairman Tomas de Vargas Machuca said: “For classic car fans and those interested in motor sport, this will be a rare opportunity to see these period vehicles competing on what is widely regarded as one of the most iconic venues in the world. First used in 1905, Shelsley Walsh still uses the exact same hill and route today, and is spoken about in reverant tones by those who know its history.”
Midland Automobile Club commercial manager Mark Constanduros added: “We are delighted to continue our strong relationship with HERO Events and look forward to welcoming the RAC Rally of the Tests to Shelsley Walsh. The hill climb is the oldest motor sport venue in the world on its original course and also where most car manufacturers either tested or competed their cars, or were some way involved with the early days of the MAC. So to be involved with this event, the RAC and the Royal Automobile Club, is a great fit for us and we look forward to welcoming everyone here later in the year.”
