MSA: All Roads lead to Rockingham for the MSA Classic

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Up to 1,200 classic cars from eight starting points around the UK will converge on Rockingham Motor Speedway when the MSA Classic, Britain's largest single classic car event, arrives at the country's newest motor sports venue near Corby in Northamptonshire on Sunday 3 June. The MSA Classic offers road driving routes to allow owners to enjoy every type of classic car, from the earliest days of motoring to those built as recently as 1 January 1981.

The MSA Classic event consists of six different one-day runs, a two-day run and a unique route - specifically designed for pre-1955 cars - which is slightly shorter, less demanding and has a reduced entry fee. All the routes avoid major roads, wherever possible, to provide enjoyable driving for even the most exposed car occupants.

The six main routes are scattered around the country and average 140 miles through the glorious British countryside. The one-day routes start from Bath, Newbury, Epsom, Bury St Edmonds, Warwick and Nottingham, and each start point will host a reception on the evening prior to the event.

The shorter route for pre-1955 cars covers 70 miles from Aylesbury. The two-day event covers 280 miles after starting from Scarborough on Saturday 2 June.

The MSA Classic has new starts, new venues and the return of several venues which have not been used for some years. There are many highlights on each of the runs, including entry to stately homes such as Castle Howard, Waddesdon Manor, Upton House and the 'Enigma' code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park.

There will be 'behind the scenes' access to the MIRA and Gaydon industry test tracks as well as visits to Stondon Motor Museum, Denby Pottery, the National Tramway Museum, Castle Combe race circuit and many other locations. Each route has been selected to give participants more visits than previously experienced on the run.

The exciting finale for all routes will be the unique opportunity to experience the brand-new banked oval circuit at Rockingham Motor Speedway, just north of Corby. This will be only the second public event at the track, after its opening ceremony the previous weekend.

The MSA Classic event is run by the same team which brings you the MSA Motorsports Classic Experience, MSA EuroClassic and the famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. As a result, the organisational team is among the most experienced in the world. The MSA Classics Events Team will be on hand throughout the day, from the start of each route through to the finish, and assistance will be available for anyone whose car baulks at completing the journey.

"The MSA Classic event has grown to be Britain's most popular classic driving event" said Malcom Neill, Classic Events Manager of the Motor Sports Association. "This year we are offering many new features on our routes, in particular the finish at Rockingham Motor Speedway. However, many things stay the same, such as the warm welcome and the comradeship between participants."

Text Provided By MSA

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.