60th Anniversary of the Mini Cooper to be celebrated at E-type 60 at Shelsley Walsh this summer!
The trend-setting Mini Cooper will be celebrating its 60th anniversary at Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb in June alongside the Jaguar E-type as part of a spectacular weekend paying tribute to both game-changing British icons (12–13 June 2021)
The Mini, in all its forms, will feature throughout the fun-packed weekend, from exciting racing action, star cars, demonstrations and movie-scene re-enactments to music, op art, films, fashion and more!
First launched in 1959, the ground-breaking Mini not only revolutionised small car design forever, but became a British style icon of the Swinging Sixties. No other car has become such a huge part of the fabric of our society, fashion, popular culture and film in the way that the Mini has. From scene-stealing lead roles in The Italian Job to boasting the likes of the Beatles and Peter Sellers as ardent owners, the Mini has enjoyed unrivalled success.
In motorsport, the Mini Cooper shot to fame winning countless trophies in the hands of legends such as John Fitzpatrick, Sir John Whitmore, Paddy Hopkirk, Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Mäkinen. Six decades later, it continues to be a popular competition car thanks to its diminutive size and its ability to be tuned to make the most of its handling qualities.
Philip Porter said: ‘We are delighted that rallying legend Paddy Hopkirk will be joining us along with former racer John Fitzpatrick. The E-type 60 weekend will celebrate both the Mini and the Jaguar E-type anniversaries with a super display of historic and special cars. Add to that some great 60s music from tribute band The High Tones, hillclimb action on both days, Mods and Rockers scooter fun, top-notch specialist exhibitors, fashion, dancing and much more… we are gearing up to having one hell of a celebration.’
Paddy Hopkirk said: ‘I know that I’m not the only one who holds the Mini in great affection, and I hope you will join me in raising a glass to a true motoring icon’.
On Saturday 12 June, there will be an action-packed day of Mini mayhem on the hill, with practice sessions in the morning and timed runs in the afternoon, plus Mini demos throughout the weekend.
Notable entries already include a 1964 Austin Cooper S that was taken to victory at the Snetterton 500 in 1965 by British saloon-car legend Gerry Marshall. The car has recently been beautifully restored to its original 1964 Aurora Gear Racing colours. There will also be a delightful Mini van affectionately known as ‘Miss March’ — the first commercial vehicle to race competitively since the 1960s.
For further information, please visit www.etype60.com
For tickets, please visit: https://www.etype60.com/ticket-info
