Monday 30 June 2014

FESTIVAL OF SPEED UPDATE 29th June

RAIKKONEN AND SURTEES PAIR UP WHILE
HAMILTON WOWS CROWD ON FINAL DAY OF
FESTIVAL OF SPEED

The final day of the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed more than lived up to its theme of
‘Addicted to Winning’ as two Ferrari Formula 1 legends, John Surtees and Kimi Raikkonen,
were united for a unique moment on the iconic 1.16-mile Hillclimb on Sunday.
The 50th anniversary of Surtees’ 1964 F1 title was marked with a special run up the hill in his
Ferrari 164 in tandem with Raikkonen’s 2007 title-winning F2007 that the Finn drove right
behind him.
Current title contender Lewis Hamilton performed pirouettes in front of Goodwood House in
his Mercedes F1 machine – formerly raced by seven-time world champion Michael
Schumacher – while Damon Hill was reunited with the Williams FW18-Renault in which he
claimed the 1996 title.
British MotoGP aces Bradley Smith and Scott Redding jetted in overnight from the Dutch TT
at Assen to entertain fans of two-wheeled motor sport. Smith rode an ex-Kenny Roberts
Yamaha YZR 500 while Redding – last year’s Moto2 runner-up – was on a Honda NSR 500
raced in period by two-time 500cc world champion Freddie Spencer.
Spencer, 1987 title-winner Wayne Gardner, World Superbike ace Jonathan Rea and stunt
ace Mattie Griffin were obvious crowd favourites, and were joined on the Goodwood
Hillclimb by 15-time grand prix world champion Giacomo Agostini on a classic MV Agusta.
On the Forest Rally Stage presented by Skoda, the fastest time of the event was claimed by
Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Dani Sordo, whose i20 WRC wound up over 15
seconds clear of nearest challenger Neil Simpson (Skoda Fabia S2000) following the
combined times of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Classic Toyota, Saab, Ford and Subaru
machinery also highlighted at the top of the Hill.

SOURCE & IMAGE: GOODWOOD MOTOR SPORT

Sunday 29 June 2014

DAY 2 @ GOODWOOD FESTIVALOF SPEED

GAMER-TURNED RACER JANN MARDENBOROUGH SMASHES SUPERCAR RECORD AT GOODWOOD
Gamer-turned racer Jann Mardenborough smashed the supercar record for the Goodwood Hillclimb with a sensational performance in a dramatic Michelin Supercar run at the Festival of Speed on Saturday afternoon.
Welsh wizard Mardenborough, whose only race experience until winning the GT Academy in 2011 had been of the online variety, was at the wheel of a Nissan GTR-NISMO ‘Time Attack’ and assaulted the 1.16-mile Hillclimb in a staggering 49.27 seconds, his run edging out the Noble M600, driven by touring car legend Anthony Reid.
Lexus, Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, McLaren, Audi, Jaguar, Pagani, Bentley, Maserati, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Sin, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo and Ginetta were all represented with ex-Formula 1 racers Bruno Senna and Rupert Keegan and sportscar legend Derek Bell all taking a turn behind the drivers’ seat.
The Supercar Run was not the only highlight on Saturday. Fresh from his pole position at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa wowed the crowd by driving Damon Hill’s 1996 Formula 1 World Championship-winning Williams FW18 and 2009 champion Jenson Button did likewise in a McLaren MP4-26-Mercedes-Benz.
The Forest Rally Stage presented by Skoda featured former World Rally Champions Sebastien Loeb – driving one of his title-winning Citroen DS3 WRCs – Hannu Mikkola in an Audi Quattro S4 and Bjorn Waldegard in a Toyota Celica, while two-wheeled legends Wayne Gardner, Giacomo Agostini and Dougie Lampkin grabbed plenty of attention on the Hillclimb and the GAS Arena respectively.
Celebrity guests included Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay in the ultra-special LaFerrari, Sir Chris Hoy driving a Nissan in the Supercar Run, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, current England international footballer Glen Johnson, TV presenter Jake Humphrey and rockstar Chris Rea while the traditional Festival of Speed Ball was set to round out the day’s proceedings with a special performance from The Beach Boys.

Text & Image Source: GOODWOOD MOTOR SPORT 


Saturday 28 June 2014

£22.6 MILLION IN SALES @ BONHAMS FoS


BONHAMS FESTIVAL OF SPEED SALE RAISES
£22.6 MILLION AS FERRARI SPORTSCAR
TAKES TOP BILLING

The Goodwood Festival of Speed’s annual Bonhams sale earned a staggering £22.6 million
on the opening day of the world’s largest motoring garden party on Friday, June 27.
The star attraction was the incredible 1954 Ferrari 375-Plus, as used in iconic road races
such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Carrera Panamericana, which sold for £10.7
million following a fierce battle between bidders.
A 1902 De Dietrich - formerly part of the Michael Banfield Collection - achieved at
Goodwood today an astounding £998,300.
Few cars can have come to light as spectacularly as this magnificent veteran, which was
discovered during World War Two when a German bomb demolished the stable in which it
had been sleeping on blocks since 1912. With just four owners from new, the powerful fourcylinder
4078cc De Dietrich is identical in specification to the works racers built for the 1902
Paris-Vienna challenge.
From ancient to modern, the Bonhams sale supplied all tastes. One of the most iconic sports
cars of the 20th Century - a 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 ‘Periscopio’ Coupé - sold for
a new world record £953,500 ($1.6 million USD).
Bonhams and Goodwood racing car historian Doug Nye, said: “This Sale has offered a
phenomenal range of really special and important cars with their various classes. Above all,
each of the prime cars offered has links with some of the greatest racing drivers of all
time. Names like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, John Surtees and so many more. It’s always a
pleasure to see new owners’ delight as the gavel falls. After all, they’re winners too.”

For full results goto: Bonhams Festival of Speed Sale

Text & Image: The Goodwood Motor Sport 2014

Wednesday 25 June 2014

2015 CLASSIC CARS COMING TO LONDON'S EXCEL CENTRE

GENTLEMEN: START YOUR ENGINES

 
• Memorable start to 2015 for the capital as the all-new
London Classic Car Show roars into town
• Invitation to official London launch on Thursday 10 July
Organised by the team behind CarFest & Top Gear Live

 
London will resonate to the sounds of powerful V8 and V12 engines early next year as the capital plays host to a new vibrant and exciting classic car show.

To be staged at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands from 8-11 January 2015, the first ever London Classic Car Show will highlight examples of the most evocative classic and collectors’ cars ever made.

But these are no mere static exhibits. A unique centrepiece will be a special ‘street’ feature – called the Grand Avenue – up and down which the show’s 100 top cars will be driven.

It will give visitors the chance not just to gaze at some of the most desirable and valuable classic cars in the world while at rest, but also to see and, importantly, to hear them in action.

“The Grand Avenue will add an extra dimension to the new London Classic Car Show,” says Bas Bungish, Event Director, Brand Events.

“Part of the appeal of a classic Ferrari is the snarl of its V12 engine while the V8 rumble from an American muscle car is music to the ears of every enthusiast. In bringing some of the world’s greatest cars to life, the London Classic Car Show will ensure that ExCeL will echo to these aural treats.”

The London Classic Car is expected to attract not just existing classic car enthusiasts as well as serious collectors but will also infuse newcomers with a passion for the pastime.

Among the myriad of other attractions at the show will be displays from premium marque owners clubs and heritage showcases from leading manufacturers. Historic racing and competition cars will be featured while leading collectors will be invited to present a special car from their collection.

Classic dealers will be on hand with desirable cars for sale, while other stands will highlight the skills of restorers and specialist suppliers. There will also be a large autojumble offering quality memorabilia for sale.

The investment side of the thriving classic car movement will come under scrutiny in the Investors Forum at the show, and experts will put their necks on the line by identifying ‘ones to watch’, those future classics that are considered bargains today.

Appealing to visitors who enjoy premier events such as Salon Retromobile in Paris and the Techno Classica in Car Show in Essen Germany, the aim is for the London Classic Car Show to become an annual ‘must do’ fixture on the international classic car calendar.

For when it comes to creating instant hit exhibitions and shows, Brand Events has an enviable track record: The London Classic Car Show is the latest venture from the team behind the hugely popular CarFest North and South extravaganzas as fronted by BBC2 broadcaster Chris Evans and the fast and furious Top Gear Live global roadshow.

“With CarFest and Top Gear Live, we have shown that we bring new ideas to motoring events. The plans we have for The London Classic Car Show means it will be a long way removed from a traditional static classic car show,” says Bas Bungish.

To find out more about the exciting new London Classic Car Show, key stakeholders and media are invited to attend the event’s official launch in Adam and Eve Mews, London W8 at 10am on Thursday 10 July, 2014. Those keen to attend should register their interest by replying to LondonClassicCarShow@mpacreative.com.

Further information about the Show – and the team behind it – can be found via the 2015 London Classic Car Show  website.


Source: 
Copyright © 2014 MPA Creative,


Tuesday 24 June 2014

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2014 @ HAMPTON COURT

http://concoursofelegance.co.uk/concours/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/image-poster.jpg 

FROM FOUNTAINS TO FERRARIS –
THE 2014 CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE
AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE
IS THE ULTIMATE MOTORING GARDEN PARTY

·         The 2014 Concours of Elegance being held in the Grand Fountain Gardens at Hampton Court Palace from 5-7 September
 The Concours of Elegance will gather 60 of the rarest cars from around the world, joined by around 700 other fine and desirable motor cars
·         Luxury retail shopping with Royal Warrant Holders and hand-picked partners
·         A sumptuous selection of hospitality and dining solutions on offer for exquisite entertaining
·         The Concours of Elegance remains a major fund raising event for charity, with this year’s target set to exceed the £250,000 collected at the 2013 event, staged at St James’s Palace
·         Advance entry tickets now on sale from £25 per person, including Palace access
Since the inaugural Concours of Elegance of 2012, held within the private grounds of Windsor Castle to mark HRH Her Majesty the Queen’s diamond jubilee of reign, the award-winning Concours has set a new global benchmark for a classic car concours event. 
The second Concours of Elegance, held to equal acclaim at the Royal Palace of St James, London, in 2013, improved upon the exceptionally high standard set at Windsor Castle, and this year, the Concours once again retains its Royal Palace connections, moving to the spectacular surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, near London, from 5-7 September. 
Sixty of the highest calibre rare and significant cars have been painstakingly selected and invited to the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, to be joined by 700 of the very best cars from a wide variety of leading car clubs, as well as the very latest bespoke sports cars and luxury models from a number of prestigious car manufacturers, creating the ultimate motoring summer garden party in a historic and uniquely-British setting.
This September’s Concours of Elegance will dramatically tell the story of the motor car through each of the carefully selected Concours vehicles. From the pioneering days of the horseless carriage in the late 19th Century – perfectly illustrated by the confirmed participation of an ultra-rare 1896 Lutzmann - right through to the very latest state-of-the-art 200 mph+ Ferrari LaFerrari ‘hypercar’, all 60 exceptional Concours cars – many of them never seen before in this country – will grace the Grand Fountain Gardens on the East side of the historic 17th Century Royal Palace at Hampton Court.

The majority of historically important and sought-after car marques will be represented at the Concours of Elegance.  Ranging from Alfa Romeo to Zagato, visitors to the Hampton Court Palace Concours will be able to admire stunning examples of Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Bentley, Hispano-Suiza, Ferrari, Packard, Aston Martin and Maserati, plus dozens of other fine marques, making this is an unmissible occasion for anyone who appreciates the inherent creative magnificence of great automobiles.

A taster of the exceptional cars already confirmed for the 2014 Concours of Elegance includes a stunning 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 ‘Flying Star’ with Touring coachwork, never before seen in the UK.  A brace of significant and rare pre-war Mercedes-Benz models will also be present at Hampton Court Palace.

Supporting the Concours will be a display of up to 700 other desirable cars from all eras within the grounds of Hampton Court Palace on the Saturday and Sunday, displayed in a dedicated area, adjacent to the Concours, presented by a wide variety of car clubs and motor manufacturers.

For the first time, a Club Trophy, sponsored by AIG and supported by the Royal Automobile Club, will be presented to the very best car to have won its own car club’s concours event earlier in 2014, in recognition of the spirit and dedication of Car Club owners, and their support of the grass roots concours movement in the UK.  A wide selection of other classic cars will also be displayed in a special ‘pre-1975 tax exempt’ parking area very close to the Palace.

The major prestige car clubs in the UK have been invited to send the winning cars from their own car clubs’ concours events along to Hampton Court Palace, to then be judged for the coveted Club Trophy. Ultimately the overall Club Trophy winner will automatically be one of the 60 select Concours cars to be entered into the line-up for the 2015 Concours of Elegance event, to be held at a British Royal Palace, yet to be announced.

Also new for 2014 is the Talking Concours, a live stage area for regular interviews and informal chats with interesting guest speakers, from the world of classic cars, motor sport and fashion.

The annual Concours of Elegance remains unique in being the UK’s only automotive event to enjoy an authentic and spectacular Royal Palace as its backdrop, with keen Royal motoring enthusiast HRH Prince Michael of Kent as the event’s Patron.
Given its strong Royal connections, fittingly the Concours is supported by members of the Royal Warrant Holders Association. The exclusive hospitality options and collect-on-the-day picnics at the event reflect this, and have been specifically designed to incorporate the services and products of Royal Warrant holders Mosimann’s, Pol Roger and Corney & Barrow. 

A range of exclusive products from a number of Royal Warrant Association holders and luxury partners, including Collier & Dobson, Henry Poole & Co and William and Son, will be also displayed and available to purchase in a relaxed and stylish retail environment at the Concours of Elegance.

A key objective of the annual Concours of Elegance is to be a highly successful fundraising initiative, with the 2013 event at St James’s Palace raising in excess of £250,000.  The charities set to benefit from the 2014 Concours of Elegance will be announced shortly.
The 2014 Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace will be open to the public on Saturday 6 September and Sunday 7 September, with adult entry tickets available to purchase, strictly in advance only, from £25 per person, per day, including entry into Hampton Court Palace and its extensive grounds. 
Tickets are available now on a first-come; first-served basis, and must be purchased in advance.  Tickets are available now at the Concours of Elegance website (www.concoursofelegance.co.uk).   Limited edition Concours of Elegance Posters and Concours of Elegance Souvenir Catalogues are also available.
SOURCE: 
Thorough Events Ltd. 2014

2014 LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

ENTRIES OPEN FOR THE 2014 BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN


Royal route planned for celebration of the early days of the motor car
Entries opened on 2 April, with the special early bird offer, for the world’s oldest motoring event – the annual Veteran Car Run between London and Brighton.
Due to take place, as ever, on the first Sunday in November, participants in this year’s Run will leave Hyde Park and pass under Wellington Arch before driving past Buckingham Palace and down The Mall through St James’s Park at the start of the 60 mile trip to Brighton.
It’s an iconic route made famous by the Royal Family’s televised coach parades and this year is the first time in recent history it has been part of the Veteran Car Run.
Organised by the Royal Automobile Club, the 2014 Bonhams Veteran Car Run takes place on Sunday 2 November and will attract as many as 500 automobiles from the dawn of motoring as well as hundreds of thousands of spectators en route.
Open to all cars manufactured  before 1905 – making the youngest 109 years old – the event is a moving history show, with pioneering motoring names such as Mors, Panhard, Darracq and Daimler to the fore.
Celebrating the original ‘capital-to-coast’ Emancipation Run held on 14 November 1896, the first Commemoration Run took place in 1897 with a re-enactment following the same route in 1927 and it has been held every year since, barring the war years and 1947 when petrol was rationed.
It commemorates the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 to 14mph and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag.
This year the route to Brighton will be a little easier as, participants will be allowed to make use of bus lanes all the way down to Coulsdon thanks to Transport for London and more bus lanes than ever south of the A27 entering Brighton thanks to Brighton Highways and the local bus companies.
Sponsored by auction house Bonhams, the Run is just one element in a long weekend of motoring nostalgia, most of which is free and open to the general public. Other events include the popular free to view Regent Street Motor Show, to be held on Saturday 1 November, which turns London’s premier shopping street into a motoring showcase that puts the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike. 
The weekend of motoring celebrations begins on the Thursday with a motoring seminar at the Royal Automobile Club.  Bonhams will be holding its annual Veteran Car Auction on Friday 31 October. The Hattingley Valley Participants’ Reception is held on the Saturday night, an opportunity to give all taking part a chance to rub shoulders on the eve of the Run.  There are also a number of lunches, dinners and other functions planned.
But few – if any – of the hardy participants will be partying long into the Saturday night as tradition dictates that the Run starts at daybreak on Sunday… a few minutes before 7.00am.
From then until shortly before 9.00am, the eclectic collection of veterans fill Hyde Park with the clatter of engines, puffs of exhaust and sometimes steam, and the ‘ooo-hah’ of klaxons as they start their epic journey to the seaside resort of Brighton.
Petrol-powered cars are joined by steam-powered machines and even by the occasional pioneering electric vehicle. There are three-wheelers and four-wheelers, some with steering wheels some with tillers and only a few with any kind of protection against the elements, which in the UK in November is more likely to be wet and windy than the dry and sunny conditions enjoyed last November. Whatever the weather, Bonhams again will be providing all those completing the route with the traditional bowl of chilli and glass of welcome mulled wine.
What makes the Run unique are the spectators that line the route many showcasing their own classic cars on the roadside. It is estimated that as many as half a million onlookers enjoy the spectacle many taking advantage of free access to the halfway stop to view the veteran cars which this year will be at the kindly vacated premises of the Honda Gatwick main dealership in Crawley.
Here participants can look forward to a spectacular interlude as iconic department store Harrods will open a luxury pop-up ‘pit-stop’ for drivers located within dealership. The prestigious store will be offering a taste of its exquisite Food Halls with much-needed hot drinks and pastries provided in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Harrods is poised to join in this year’s Run for the third time in its history. The first time the Knightsbridge establishment took part was in the inaugural Emancipation Run of 1896.
The official and ceremonial finishes, at Brighton’s Preston Park and Madeira Drive respectively, are also popular viewing posts. Once again there is also the opportunity to follow the event in an open top bus all the way from London to Brighton.
For more details of the event and access to entry forms visit www.veterancarrun.com. Participants entering between now and the end of May will be eligible for early bird savings on entry fees and other events.

Saturday 21 June 2014

SIMPLY ALFA DAY @ BEAULIEU

Alfa Romeo 
ALFA ROMEO DAY

Come to Beaulieu in your Alfa Romeo on Sunday 29 June for the second ‘Simply Alfa Romeo’. A gathering of Alfa Romeo cars of all shapes and sizes.

Owners of Alfa Romeo cars are invited to bring their car to Beaulieu, both classic and new, and become part of the event. All models welcome. Also featuring a cavalcade and display on the Main Arena of a range of cars chosen from all rally entrants - one of these selected cars will be the winner of the People's Choice Award and Beaulieu trophy. The competition is open to all Alfa Romeo owners taking part in the rally and will take place at approximately 2.30 on the day of the event.

Vehicle Entry
Alfa RomeoFeel free to turn up on the day. Admission to the event includes entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction.
Entry into the Beaulieu Parkland with your Alfa Romeo is from 9.30am – theBrabazon Restaurant will be open for bacon rolls, cakes, teas and coffees.
Please note that if you wish to park alongside your friends, or fellow club members, you must arrive together as there will be no designated areas
available.
Tickets - 2014
Simply Alfa Romeo
Adults £10
Children £5
When arriving in an Alfa Romeo and taking part in the event.
 (+ £1 handling charge per order when purchased in person or by telephone)
Advance tickets will be available until 5pm on 27th June.

All other visitors please come through Visitor Reception and the standard admission fee applies, find out more.
For updates on the rally please like our facebook page and sign up to our mailing list and select the 'Beaulieu' newsletter.

LEWIS HAMILTON HEADLINES MERCEDES LINE UP at FoS

Lewis Hamilton confirmed for the Festival of Speed 
In just five days time the Goodwood Festival of Speed will burst into life, and the news has been coming thick and fast as some of the most legendary names in motor sport have confirmed their attendance for the June 26-29 event.
Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 Formula 1 world champion and a 26-time grand prix winner, will play a major part in Mercedes-Benz’s celebration of its 120 years of motor sport success by driving one of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s machines up Goodwood’s iconic 1.16-mile Hillclimb. And you could be here to watch him with a limited number of tickets still available for the Friday and Sunday of the event.
Hamilton’s Mercedes will be found in the F1 Paddock presented by Sky Sports, but before that he’ll be aiming to get his championship challenge back on track at the Austrian Grand Prix, which you can watch exclusively on Sky Sports F1 HD this weekend.

For all the latest announcements follow us on
FOS Live and to share your comments visit our Facebook and Twitter pages. Be part of all the action and sign up to the weekly Goodwood Road & Racing newsletters for all the latest motor sport news, click here.

Thursday 12 June 2014

2014 FESTIVAL OF SPEED - UPDATE

Kimi Raikkonen to attend Festival of Speed
With less than three weeks to go the news and updates are coming thick and fast. 

Goodwood can announce that 2007 Formula 1 World Champion and current Scuderia Ferrari grand prix driver Kimi Raikkonen will attend the Festival of Speed this year with Shell, which has been named as a main partner of the event.

Limited tickets remain available for Thursday, Friday and Sunday of the June 26-29 event; Saturday and weekend tickets having now sold out. Why not treat yourself to the best seat in the house and go for a roving grandstand ticket – giving you an exceptional view of the iconic Goodwood Hillclimb, perfect to watch Sebastien Loeb’s attempt at breaking the 15-year-old record of 41.6 seconds.
For all the latest announcements follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit Goodwood Road and Racing.  Be part of all the action and sign up to the weekly Goodwood Road & Racing newsletters for all the latest motor sport news, click here. 
 
  

GLOUCESTER STEAM & VINTAGE EXTRAVAGANZA - UPDATE

SC Bus & Spitfire (640x363)
The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, now in its 40th year, will take place once again at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester. From Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August 2014 the extravaganza will attract more than 15,000 visitors and raise money for local and national charities. The show has grown dramatically in recent years and is now widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK. Attracting thousands of exhibits from all corners of the British Isles, as well as some from further afield - it really is a nostalgic road trip into bygone years.
The show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage transport, from buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, static aircrafts, classic cars, steam engines, traction engines, motorcycles through to military vehicles, emergency vehicles tractors and historic caravans. A live action arena is an integral part of the event with interactive demonstrations taking place every day, alongside the popular steam driven vintage fun fair and the welcome return of Ken Fox Wall of Death, one of the last original Wall of Deaths dating back to 1929, will make a welcome return to wow the crowds as they perform tricks, acrobatics and high-speed chases on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles.
The classic car section alone has over 600 vehicles represented, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told. The oldest vehicle entered is a 1904 CGV Talbot (only 50 were ever built, with only 2 left in existence), the same family from Cheltenham will also be bringing a 1904 Talbot which they have lovingly restored, and can often be seen competing in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
However the best story has to be from a gentleman in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, who had a great deal back in the 1960s when he swapped his camera for a 1935 Austin 10! He has since purchased a similar camera back in a charity shop for £2! The Austin 10 came complete with original letters from its previous owner, along with its history. The vehicle was borrowed in the Second World War as a private defence vehicle for the army and at the time had its headlights covered so it could not be seen by enemy aircraft.
Fairford Classic Car Club are amongst the many classic car clubs represented, their local owners will display over twenty vehicles including a 1955 Sunbeam Mk III Coupe (one of only 17 left in the world) entered by the Chairman Malcolm Cutler.
Other notable vehicles include: 
·       A 1933 Stanford 9 which has remained in the same family from  Swindon since new
·       A 1955 Wolsley 4.44 owned for 52 years by Mr Jarvis from Cirencester
·       A 1980 very rare factory built Panther Lima and 1960 Jensen 541R (Owner from Yate)
·       A record-breaking Jensen 541 Prototype, chassis number 1 - holder of the London to Paris record, entered by owner Malcolm Bristow from Tetbury who has a vast collection of Jensen’s
·       Plus many American Classics including a 1929 Cadillac that has been completely restored, and considered one of the best American classics in the UK
Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is packed full of exhibits, displays and curiosity stalls to keep the whole family entertained for hours with displays of Victorian memorabilia ranging from antique sewing and knitting machines and model dolls houses to vintage garden tools and 1940s to 1950s home wares. Alongside the hundreds of vintage vehicles, there will be the popular steam driven vintage fun fair, 'electric yachts', waltzer, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers', face painting, dodgems and traditional arcade games, plus an Animal and Countryside area with poultry, Shire Horses, rare breeds, Alpacas and Ferrets with an arena demonstrating Horse Logging, Falconry and dog agility

Friday 6 June 2014

40th ANNUAL GLOUCESTERSHIRE STEAM & VINTAGE EXTRAVAGANZA

SC Bus & Spitfire (640x363)
 The 40th annual Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza will return to South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester from Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd August 2014. This year the show celebrates its 40th show, an amazing feat and something we want to celebrate with everyone especially those born ON 6th & 7th September 1975 - the weekend of the very first show. We will send everyone born over that weekend a complimentary ticket for this year’s show to come and share our birthday cake with us! (DOB ID will be required)
Since the humble beginnings the show attracted just 500 visitors it now has more than 15,000 over the three days and over the last 40 years has raised thousands of pounds, donating to both local and national charities including the Cobalt Appeal Fund and Diabetes UK.
The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of vintage transports sections have grown year on year, and now includes exhibits including; buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, tractors, emergency vehicles, motorcycles, caravans, cycles, traction engines, steam engines, tractors, military vehicles, static aircrafts, radio controlled planes, model village to classic cars and much much more!
The Steam Section is considered by many visitors to be the heart of the show, and is packed with more than 100 full-size Steam Engines of all descriptions, makes and type, several of which are first-timers to the event and have never been displayed in the country before. The infamous 'Demonstration Arena' puts these mighty machines to the test, where the engines are encouraged to display their capabilities to maximum potential.
The classic car section alone features over 600 vehicles, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told.
The show is packed full of exhibits, displays and stalls to keep the whole family entertained for hours. Alongside the hundreds of vintage vehicles the famous Ken Fox Wall of Death will be returning to wow spectators with their incredible stunts and high-speed chases on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles.  Fun for all the family – the popular steam driven vintage fun fair, 'electric yachts', the waltzer, the big wheel, the steam-driven 'gallopers', face painting, dodgems, a ghost train and traditional arcade games. After all this fun visitors won’t be able to leave without a visit to the vintage tea hut and dancing which will keep little and big kids entertained for hours.
The show prides itself on encouraging interaction between exhibitors and visitors to provide a ‘hands on’ experience. Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club, Martyn Slater, said: “The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is the biggest of its kind run entirely by volunteers and I am proud to be involved. As well as raising money for local and national charities, our aim is to provide a safe and happy environment for everyone to celebrate our unique transport history, in hope that we can inspire future generations to get involved in the preservation of historic vehicles.”
A free vintage bus service will be operating around the perimeter of the show site, and to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains.
For details of the bus schedule and further details, please visit  www.glossteamextravaganza.com

WORLD RECORD FOR BEAULIEU

Toy Car Record 
The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, is celebrating a successful challenge to break the World Record for the Longest Continuous Line of Toy Cars.

Volunteers took ten hours to lay the staggering line of 24,189 toy cars which snaked 1.91km around the motor museum and the picturesque grounds outside.

While holidaymakers were stuck in Bank Holiday traffic, the toy cars at Beaulieu were queuing nose-to-bumper to beat the existing Guinness World Record of 14,310 toy cars, set in Füssen, Germany.

Beaulieu’s new record requires verification by Guinness World Records, but organisers are confident adjudicators will put their stamp of approval on the attempt to secure its place in history as an official Guinness World Record.

The line-up included models signed and donated by a host of celebrities including Pink Floyd drummer and classic car racer Nick Mason plus TV motoring presenters Quentin Willson, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Edd China. Sir Stirling Moss donated a model to be included of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR in which he won the Mille Miglia race in 1955.

Official adjudicators Peter Jeffreys, of Wilsons law firm in Salisbury, and Nigel Ballard, of Mezars accountants, took three hours to count and check the line-up which started at Jack Tucker’s Garage inside the museum. No toy tanks, trains, caravans or boats were allowed.

2014 is a special year for record breakers at Beaulieu with its new display For Britain and For The Hell of It – The Story of Land Speed Records and a model of the next British Land Speed Record contender, Bloodhound SSC, was the 14,311th toy car which set the new record.

The last two cars in the line-up were signed models of Bloodhound and Thrust SSC donated by Land Speed Record breakers Wing Commander Andy Green OBE and Richard Noble OBE. Richard Noble OBE will be telling the story of his World Land Speed Record at an event at Beaulieu on Thursday (May 8) and visitors can see the life-sized Bloodhound SSC at Beaulieu on May 10.

Following the record attempt, the toy cars were due to be sold at Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble on May 17 and 18 to raise money for Naomi House hospice. Sam West, Play Activities Co-ordinator for Naomi House, placed the final car on behalf of four children from the hospice who watched the record being set. The most valuable toy car models were to be sold separately to raise the most money possible for the hospice.

David James, spokesman for Naomi House, said: “It’s been great to see such support for Naomi House in so many different ways. It was a fantastic day.”

Andy Ollerenshaw, from Beaulieu’s Events team, said: “It’s been a really fun and worthwhile project and something we’ve never done before at Beaulieu.

“We were overwhelmed by the response, both from members of the public who donated cars and visitors on the day. We’re hugely grateful to Sainsbury’s and local schools which collected toy cars to set the record which exceeded our wildest expectations.”