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Chris Bristow’s barn-find MG Special to star at Race Retro

Visitors to Race Retro 2025 will be treated to an extraordinary piece of motorsport history with the public debut of a unique MG Special once raced by the late British Formula 1 driver, Chris Bristow. The car, freshly unearthed in barn-find condition, will be on display at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 21-23 February.

The unveiling coincides with the launch of Forever Young: Six Lost Talents of Motor Racing, a new book from BHP Publishing. This poignant tribute highlights the careers of promising drivers who were tragically lost too soon, including Bristow. The MG Special is displayed courtesy of Bristow Sports Cars, which plans to restore the car and race it once again, alongside producing a continuation series named the Bristow Barchetta.

Commissioned by Lionel Leonard in 1955 and built by Bristow the following year, the MG Special tipped the scales at under 500kg. Its steel spaceframe chassis and Ferrari-inspired aluminium bodywork house a highly tuned MG XPAG engine, with a special works block and Laystall alloy cylinder head producing around 100bhp.

In 1956, the MG was campaigned by an 18-year-old Bristow at circuits including Brands Hatch, Goodwood, and Silverstone, claiming victories at Crystal Palace and Silverstone. Bristow’s aggressive, fearless driving style earned him the nickname ‘wild man’ of club racing and propelled him into Formula 1, where he competed alongside Stirling Moss at the 1959 British Grand Prix.

Tragically, Bristow’s promising career was cut short at just 22 years old when he died in a crash at Spa-Francorchamps in 1960. Today, the British Racing Drivers’ Club honours his legacy with the annual Chris Bristow Trophy for rising stars, with past recipients including David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

For enthusiasts, the MG Special is both a tribute to Bristow’s talent and a testament to his enduring legacy. With plans already in place for its Goodwood Revival debut, the car is set to captivate crowds both at Race Retro and on the track once again.

Tickets for Race Retro 2025 are now available. For details, visit www.raceretro.com.