Shelsey Walsh to honour The Campbells

In 2017, Shelsley Walsh is celebrating two highlights in motorsport history, while paying tribute to a record-breaking family.

Following the success of last year with Group B rallying, Shelsey Walsh – the oldest operational motorsport venue in the world – is to welcoming Group A rally cars from 1987, as well as the World Rally Car of 1997.

This was the era of the Ford Sierra Cosworth and Lancia Delta Integrale, before the rise of the iconic Ford Escort Cosworth, Ford Focus, the 555 Subaru Impreza, the ever faster editions of the Mitsubishi Evolutions, the Toyota Celica GT-Four and then the Corolla WRC.

It was the era of Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes, Mark Lovell, Malcolm Wilson and David Llewellin, which gave rise to Tommi Makinen in the Mitsubishi Evolution, who won the World Rally Championship four times on the bounce from 1996 to 1999.

It was also an era for the Brits when Colin McRae, who had become world champion in 1995, and Richard Burns, battled for numerous titles, with ‘Burnsie’ (Burns) winning on the RAC Rally in 2001.

Shelsey Walsh has also announced it will pay tribute to The Campbells. The historic hill climb venue, founded by The Midland Automobile Club (MAC), has a long and established connection with speed records.

On the 50th anniversary of his death, Donald Campbell’s daughter Gina and his nephew Don Wales will be joining Shelsey Walsh to mark the occasion with a special unveiling of a car dedicated to Bluebird.

An amazing sight and sound will be of the Napier Bluebird replica featuring the W12 aero engine, which will carry out demonstration runs on the hill.

Both Donald and his father Sir Malcolm were heavily involved with the MAC and Shelsley Walsh – Malcolm actually competed on the hill in 1935 and Donald gave a talk to the club in 1950 about both his father’s land and water speed record achievements.

On the Sunday of the event there will be a street Concours sponsored by Classic and Sports Car Magazine for the first 100 cars to arrive. The top 15 will then participate in a parade run up the hill during the lunch break – judging will be carried out by motorsport commentator Simon Taylor.

While Shelsey Walsh hosts a weekend full of competition, as a variety of cars tackling the famous hill, The Courtyard is where guests will find the main stage of music and dancing for those who wish to soak up the atmosphere. The main stage is also where special guests will talk of their time in motorsport.

Car clubs, meanwhile, will be made welcome with discounts available for those who bring more than 25 cars.