As I'm sure a lot of you will agree, it was a huge shame that the 2024 running of Race Retro had to be cancelled just a few days prior due to flooding, but at the end of the day, when organising an event of this size, much like the motorsport that it derives its audience from, safety has to be of the highest priority and the organisers did the right thing.
The 2025 show is looking to be a fantastic return and I'm delighted to say that I've been asked to be a part of it, as the host of the Talk Motorsport stage! I hosted the same stage back in 2023 for the first time, interviewing legends such as Dai Llewellin and his son Tom, Louise Aitken-Walker MBE, Mike Wilds and Jason Plato.
The latter is a childhood hero of mine, having grown up with the British Touring Car Championship as my favourite racing series and he's back again for more side-splitting interviews and antics. Dai, Tom and Mike look to make a return as well, with further additions to the star-studded line-up including Rauno Aaltonen, Ian Flux, Nicky Grist and Anthony Davidson!
It's one of those events that causes me to pinch myself - I'm the person entrusted with speaking to these absolute legends one-on-one in front of a crowd - how cool is that?!
The 2023 iteration was one of the most enjoyable weekends I've had since I started commentating and presenting - hanging out with people like Jason, Louise and even Mike Brewer the famous "Wheeler Dealer" was a riot, and I made sure that I enjoyed every moment for what it was.
The whole crew were lovely to work with - they all really looked after me, made sure I had what I needed to do my job at my best and brought a fantastic amount of enthusiasm and humour to what they did as well.
To add to the nostalgia for me, Matt Neal is also listed as a guest on the stage - another driver from the era of the BTCC that formed my love for racing. If I get the chance to interview he and Jason together, much like Jonny Smith famously did a few years back, I don't think I could put into words how much fulfillment I would feel.
That's proper bucket-list stuff for me that I didn't know could be possible.
Thanks to LoudSpeaker Agency for making this a reality!
Head over the Race Retro website and take a look at tickets - it's a great, feel-good event that showcases some of the best and sometimes most underappreciated angles of motorsport. I know I'm biased, but I'd definitely recommend it.
Hope to see you there and if you do go, I hope you enjoy the interviews that will ensue.
Comments