Welcome to the new look Retro-Speed Magazine: Historic motorsport on the move

With rain beating against the windows and temperatures hovering just above freezing, you could be forgiven for thinking, this is no more than another typical summer's day in little old England. Ha. Actually, Christmas is only a few carols and a black tie dinner away, so a good excuse then to look back at three choice moments that made my 2025 special

The year got of to a great start, servicing for my good friend Peter Barker and his wife Christa, who were competing on the, oh so authentic, Rallye Monte Carlo Historique in their little 1960 Triumph Herald. Yes they finished, and the team enjoyed every minute, and even when things went a bit wrong there was still no better place to be in late January than the South of France.

Next on my short list. The purchase of a 1934 Sunbeam 25 that was in absolutely top condition, but had not turned a wheel in over forty years, meaning the 3.4 litre engine was seized solid. As we speak all the parts have been overhauled and I intend driving the car in next January's Classique rally to Monte Carlo. 

That just leaves what must have been my number one experience of 2025. A lap of the full Nurburgring in a race prepared BMW GT3 driven by an up and coming star driver, in this case, Harry Barton. Light traffic and a dry track allowed Harry to explore the outer limits of what must be the most famous, longest, and most dangerous track in the world. No wonder that locally it's known as The Green Hell. Was I frightened? Nope. Was I impressed? Certainly was. Let's go back and do it all again.

The biggest, longest, toughest, best run, and best attended historic stage rally, possibly in the world has drawn to a close. And the winner is? Osian Pryce, navigated by Dale Furniss. Sadly the Lancia Stratos crashed out early on, and the only remaining threat to Escort domination, the hard charging Marty McCormack (BMW) succumbed to a broken gearbox in sight of the finish. It was a very tough rally, with plenty of ice in Wales, making the going decidedly unpredictable. Worth a special mention are Team Retro-Speed members, Andy Wolfe (30th overall and class winner) and the Graham brothers who continued their unbroken run of 100% finishing the event. Well done the organisers for pushing hard against officialdom and once again putting on a world class event. Image Ben Lawrence.

Saving the best till last, Rallye Prescott on 1st November was the perfect end to a busy season at this, the UK's leading hillclimbing venue, bringing together a wide range of classic rally cars, along with their determined drivers, taking up the unique challenge of racing up the the hill in darkness. And as one of those determined drivers, let me tell you: It wasn't easy. Tricky all day, the heavy showers created a special stage where any mistake was heavily penalised, the  record crowd loving every minute. Highlight? Colin McRae's father Jimmy, and Colin's daughter, Hollie driving the World Rally Championship winning Subaru, provided by Martyn Spurrell.

Peter Baker: Editor

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