Guild authors take centre stage at Race Retro 2026

Guild members were out in force at the annual Race Retro historic motorsport show, held at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 20th-22nd February, with two of our authors spending time on the venue stage being interviewed about their new works.

Jon Saltinstall described his recently published book Lella Lombardi – The Tigress of Turin, a biography of the Italian driver who competed in 17 Grand Prix and in 1975 became the first and so far only woman to finish an F1 World Championship race in the points.

Meanwhile Guild committee member John Brooks found himself uncharacteristically in the limelight with his new book Le Mans 2000-09: The Official History of the World’s Greatest Motor Race. 

The show again proved a major success, no doubt benefiting from the traditional season-opening motorsport show, Autosport International, not taking place this year. There were more stands and an increase in attendees, this year’s visitors numbering close to 25,000.

As well as the indoor car displays, trade stands and a packed auction, Saturday and Sunday saw live action with a rally stage in the grounds of Stoneleigh Park.

The 2027 Race Retro show is set to take place on 19th-21st February, exactly a week before the new Motorsport Expo event in London described in the last issue of News Briefs.

Jon Saltinstall (above) was suitably interrogated by fellow Guild member Guy Loveridge and resident host Chaz Draycott, while John Brooks paused from signing copies of his new book for a photo with Rebecca Leppard of promoter Eventageous PR. Photos: Michael Stokes and Simon Hildrew