THE biggest event of the year takes place from Saturday at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, near Worcester, when the Midland Automobile Club stage their Classic Nostalgia weekend.

A wide variety of themes and attractions will focus on all things motoring from years gone by including Group A and World Rally Cars, highlighting a celebration of land speed records with members of the famous Campbell family attending as guests.

Each day will see dancing in the scenic courtyard with live music provided by the Ding Dong Daddios together with Jon Clare and the Fabulous Doughboys.

Visitors will be encouraged to wear period dress throughout the event to add to the sense of occasion with prizes awarded for the best turned out guests.

Gina Campbell and Don Wales will be interviewed live on stage, recalling tales of Malcolm and Donald Campbell marking their record breaking achievements on both land and water with the Napier Bluebird among a selection of cars associated with the family on display and in action.

Donald Campbell’s mascot, the teddy bear called Mr Whoppit, will also be coming along too.

He always accompanied Donald in the cars and boats during his record attempts.

Group A rallying followed the demise of Group B which was banned due to several fatalities and this era will be marked with a large range of competition cars including the last Lancia Delta Integrale making its first appearance on UK soil.

Celebrating 20 years of World Rally Cars will see legendary machines from Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi including the iconic 555 Subaru Impreza and a guest appearance by works Mitsubishi driver Kristian Sohlberg who will be reunited with and compete in his Mitsubishi Lancer WRC04.

Sunday morning sees a Concours d’ Elegance competition for the first 100 cars entered which meet the criteria of judge Simon Taylor, a renowned motoring journalist for Classic and Sports Car Magazine, and his fellow judges with the final top 15 cars parading up the historic hill climb track at lunchtime.

MAC commercial manager Mark Constanduros said: “This really should be a fantastic event as we have some very special cars and guests this weekend.

“We are encouraging people to come along in 40s, 50s and 60s period style and enjoy a real family occasion.

“Attractions will include a dedicated food court, trade stands and many classic car and club displays together with a flypast from the Dakota on Saturday, continuous entertainment, even including dancing lessons, and of course an amazing selection of wonderful cars taking to the hill in serious competition on both days.

“We have also commissioned a selection of special memorabilia items just to mark this huge event including T-shirts, posters and car plaques.”

The action starts at Shelsley Walsh at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday and further details are at shelsleywalsh.com.