Star cars and drivers, including many front-runners from the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship delivered a superb spectacle to visitors to the inaugural International Historic Motorsport Show at Stoneleigh Park (21/22 February).

The tarmac stage set up in the grounds of Stoneleigh Park was used eight times in total, four times on each day, and several thousand fans braved the cold weather to see the action. The event was organised by the Historic Rally Car Register.

Although no official results were published, the mighty ex-Mikkola Audi Sport Quattro of reigning BHRC champion Steve Perez was widely considered to be setting the pace. However, other notable performances came from Rupert Lomax (Ford Escort Mk1), Steve Loveridge (Mini Clubman) and Nick Whale (Porsche 911RS).

Rally legends Pentti Airikkala (Vauxhall Chevette HSR) and Russell Brookes (Ford Escort Mk1) both took part, although Brookes was hindered when his ex-Mikkola Escort shed a wheel on Saturday. Former Safari Rally winner Yvonne Mehta, meanwhile, co-drove in Tony Fall's Datsun 240Z and Bill Gwynne drove a Mk1 Ford Escort in competition for the first time in over 20 years when he shared the ex-works car of Dave Watkins.

John Grant, chairman of the MSA, was re-united with Robin Eyre-Maunsell to share a Lotus Cortina for the weekend. They last rallied together in 1967, and Grant last drove in a rally in 1977. The pair competed together in Northern Ireland in a Singer Chamois Sport in 1966 and '67!

Martin Rowe took part on Saturday, driving the Mk1 Ford Escort of Jon Cropper. The reigning Production Car World Rally Champion jumped into the XS Racing prepared car for two runs on the demonstration stage.

Cars from the HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge also took part, with the Sunbeam Lotus of Steve Stringer and the Ford Escort RS2000 of Russ Langthorne setting some rapid times.