Friday 29 March 2019

DAILY CAVALCADE AND BONNETS GALORE FOR EASTER AT BEAULIEU



DAILY CAVALCADE AND BONNETS GALORE FOR EASTER AT BEAULIEU


April 6th - Easter Monday, April 22nd
There are Bonnets Galore for Easter at Beaulieu when the attraction comes to life with amazing motors being brought out of the National Motor Museum and driven in daily cavalcades around the grounds of the attraction from April 6th to Easter Monday, April 22nd.
Inside the museum, bonnets will also be lifted to reveal the engineering excellence of legendary Land Speed Record-breaking Blue Bird - the 1920 Sunbeam 350hp, as well as the 1899 Renault1924 Bugatti Type 351948 Land Rover prototype1950 RT London Bus and 1959 Austin Mini which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Out on the arena, watch historic motors in the daily cavalcade with a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction and vehicles spanning motoring history from the Victorian penny farthing to the classic 1963 Ford Cortina. Look out for the yellow AA motorcycle and sidecar1904 De Dion Bouton1927 Austin 12/41938 Morris Eight and wartime 1943 Willys Jeep.*
For bonnets of a different kind, visit Palace House where you will find Easter bonnets and Victorian costumes to try on for a selfie opportunity. Roll up your sleeves in the Victorian Kitchen and help Lord Montagu’s cook roll out Easter biscuits, talk to costumed guides about life in the 19th century and join in with Easter craft activities. Younger visitors can also have their face painted with Easter designs.
Fill in our new travel log to create memories from your visit and complete the fun activities, fascinating questions and drawings, then collect stamps at each part of the attraction. Keep an eye out for Beaulieu’s Bonnets cards to learn more about the iconic vehicles you will discover on your day out.
Over Easter weekend (Good Friday, April 18th - Easter Monday, April 22nd) see the larger-than-life Easter bunny as it hops through the gardens in the grounds of the attraction. Why not take a picture to add to your travel log?
All Easter activities are included in the general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top GearOn Screen Cars, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey with its Abbot’s Mews falconry exhibition and the spring-time grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.
* Historic cars in the daily cavalcades may be subject to change each day.



Wednesday 27 March 2019

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AT LAND ROVER LEGENDS




ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AT LAND ROVER LEGENDS

Four very special anniversaries will be celebrated at Land Rover Legends at Bicester Heritage on 25th and 26th May, each one marking a highly significant milestone in the history of the Land Rover marque.
50 years of the Pink Panther
The 50th anniversary of the entry into service of the Series IIa SAS Pink Panther will be commemorated with what is expected to be the largest-ever gathering of these fascinating vehicles, supported by two surviving examples of the Series One and some of the few surviving later 110 SAS vehicles.

The Pink Panther was born during the late 1960s, as a follow on from the adapted WW11 Jeep and the Series One. The MOD acquired 72 Series IIa 109 Land Rovers for special ops missions and long-distance reconnaissance. Marshalls of Cambridge converted them to SAS desert duty specification, with modifications including heavy-duty springs and chassis, additional fuel tanks to carry 100 gallons, smoke grenade launcher, rifles, machine guns, hand grenades and an anti-tank rocket launcher. The Land Rovers were delivered to the SAS in standard green livery but the SAS had many of them repainted in pink. This might seem an unlikely colour for a military vehicle - especially one in service with the SAS - but it is actually the perfect colour for camouflage in the desert, especially at dawn and dusk when the ground in their theatres of operation takes on a red or pink shade. Thus the ‘Pink Panther’ name was born. Often shortened to ‘Pinkie’ the name was even applied to the vehicles the SAS kept in their original, green colour. Pinkies would remain in service until 1984 when the coil sprung Hi–Cap was introduced as a replacement.
40th anniversary of ‘the best Land Rover that Land Rover never produced’
In the late-1970s, Land Rover built around 36 100-inch wheelbase prototypes for evaluation by the French, and later the Swiss, military. Based on various axles adapted for coil springs, petrol 4-cylinder and V8 engine options, with manual and automatic gearbox options and a one-off chassis, and a 24V electrical system, they were produced in a range of configurations, most with twin fuel tanks. Although these vehicles never went into production, the 100-inch wheelbase was felt by many to be the perfect dimension for a Land Rover, and enthusiasts went on to create their own ‘hybrids’ based on modified Range Rover chassis and Land Rover panels. 

The 40th anniversary of these exceptionally rare 100-inch prototypes – considered by many to be the best Land Rover that Land Rover never produced – will also be celebrated at Land Rover Legends with what is expected to be the largest-ever gathering. 
The 30th anniversary of ‘the vehicle that saved Land Rover’
In the mid-1980s sales of Land Rover’s utility vehicles were in decline, and the company was also facing challenges from new 4x4 vehicles such as the Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Shogun. The company’s response was to develop a new vehicle that would sit between the 90 and 110, and the Range Rover. In 1989 Land Rover unveiled its new Discovery at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 3-door vehicle, deliberately described this way as part of the programme to differentiate it from the 2-door Range Rover, although both had two doors and a tailgate, actually shared the Range Rover’s chassis and drive train, body frame, and many other components, all of which were clad in a brand-new, trend-setting design that ensured the new vehicle would appeal to a new, younger and ‘lifestyle-oriented’ market. The Discovery was an instant sales success and was quickly followed by the 5-door version that further cemented its appeal as a family vehicle. Land Rover had a winner on its hands and had launched it with perfect timing to ride the wave of the soaring popularity of recreational and lifestyle off-roaders that followed in the early 1990s. Land Rover Legends will celebrate the 30th anniversary of this hugely successful vehicle.

The 25th birthday of the launch of the P38a
In September 1994 Land Rover launched the second-generation Range Rover - 24 years after the original was introduced. The new car was developed in building P38a of the Solihull factory, and so became known as the P38a. This was undeniably a luxury vehicle with leather upholstery, premium trim and burr walnut rivalling the interiors of upmarket saloon cars, putting the four-wheel drive in front of a new audience. It was a step forward from the first-generation Range Rover not just in terms of luxury, equipment and updated engine but also in its off-road versatility and abilities, with height-adjustable air suspension now standard. Exterior design changes were relatively subtle however, in order not to alienate loyal Range Rover customers, but the new vehicle was well-received by both the press and the buying public. Subsequently, the vehicle developed a reputation for poor reliability, primarily to do with its electrical systems, but over recent years enthusiasts have come to appreciate the design and the impressive capability of the P38a. And most of its electrical gremlins have by now been tamed!

National Land Rover Awards
The ultimate show for Land Rover connoisseurs, preservationists, restorers and enthusiasts will also see the announcement of the results of the National Land Rover Awards 2019, the winners of which will be chosen at Land Rover Legends. Nominations for the awards are open at www.landroverlegends.com. Shortlisted vehicles will be invited to be displayed as part of a dedicated indoor exhibition at the Bicester Heritage event where, on Sunday May 26th, a panel of expert judges will select the Winner and Highly Commended entry in each category.

All Land Rovers welcome
Land Rover Legends is an event for all Land Rovers. In addition to the main exhibits and demonstration vehicles, over a dozen major Land Rover Clubs have booked display space for the event and every Land Rover attending - whether with a club or not - will become a part of the show by being displayed in the dedicated forward-parking area that will be set aside to showcase representatives of the marque.

This year, for the first time, canine companions are welcome to attend the event (regardless of whether or not they arrive in a Land Rover!). So there’s no need to leave well-behaved four-legged friends at home; just pop them on a lead and bring them along.
Other new features for 2019 include on-site camping and Saturday evening entertainment. Camping bookings are coming in thick and fast, and Land Rover fans are advised to book early if they want to make a weekend of it in the atmospheric, inimitable setting of Bicester Heritage.
In addition to the fantastic range of very special vehicles on show, Land Rover lovers will find a host of other things to fascinate and tempt them, with top Land Rover restorers, specialists and associated suppliers, plus carefully-selected exhibitors and traders, all positioned in and around Bicester Heritage’s magnificent main exhibition hangar. 
For more information or to book tickets please visit: www.landroverlegends.com

Tuesday 26 March 2019

LEGENDS TO RIDE AGAIN AT THE CLASSIC



LEGENDS TO RIDE AGAIN AT THE CLASSIC

The star-studded World GP Bike Legends will be back out in force at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July), fronting an enlarged motorcycle showcase at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.
Featuring multiple world champions such as Wayne Gardner (AUS), Freddie Spencer (USA) and Raymond Roche (FRA), the presence of World GP Bike Legends has become a major draw at recent Classics and their welcome return for the fourth successive year is certain to be another massive crowd-pleaser. Even more so as World GP Bike Legends will be helping to power an awesome new bike zone, MotoWorld, putting a spotlight on the world of motorbikes with a commitment to the development of bike content through this exciting new joint initiative with the organisers of the Classic.
Visitors will once again be treated to the stunning spectacle of some of the most beautiful looking – and sounding – racing bikes blasting around the full Grand Circuit ridden by some of the sport’s top names from past epochs. What’s more, fans will be able to meet their heroes with autograph and photo sessions between the dramatic track demos.
“There’ll be the traditional warm biker welcome,” promised Gardner, whose improbable life story from a 5-dollar dirt bike to the 1987 500cc World Championship title has recently been made into a critically-acclaimed movie. “We always love to impress, inspire and entertain at great venues such as Silverstone – so it is wonderful to be back on the incredible Classic bill for a fourth year in a row.”
Furthering the Classic’s appeal to motorcycle fans, World GP Bike Legends will be based alongside a number of other notable two-wheeled attractions within the event’s all-new MotoWorld.
Located right at the heart of the huge festival, MotoWorld will also be home to an exciting new Ride Live feature where participating motorcycle manufacturers will be invited to offer visitors a not-to-be-missed opportunity to test ride their latest showroom models. Its introduction follows the successful launch of a similar Drive Live initiative for car manufacturers at last summer’s record-breaking Classic.
Also confirmed for the new bike zone is representation from DirtQuake, the flat-track motorbike festival taking place at Arlington Stadium near Eastbourne on 9-10 August.
“By popular demand we’ve seen the motorcycle element increasing year-by-year at the Classic – as a result we are now giving it a proper home within our ever-growing display areas,” explained Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO.
“The idea is for Ride Live to provide enthusiasts with a fabulous chance to experience some of their dream machines while the return of World GP Bike Legends will be a massively popular attraction. Many of these riders represent a golden era for the sport when the bikes were brutal and the ‘legends’ really were true heroes.”
Whether fans of two or four wheels, all those attending this summer’s Classic are guaranteed three days of unrivalled retro racing spectacle enhanced by fun-fuelled family entertainment.
This year’s action-packed 21-race track programme features special anniversary races for Bentleys, Capris and Minis plus evocative showdowns for classic era Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 single-seaters all together on the same race-card for the very first time.
As well as including unlimited access to both race paddocks plus trackside grandstands, tickets also provide admission to the majority of the funfair rides, infield attractions, interactive activities and amusements for all ages. Also included are the evocatively vibrant live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings, this year honouring the 50th anniversary of the seminal Woodstock festival in 1969.
Full details of all tickets (which must be purchased in advance) – as well as hospitality packages and weekend festival camping – can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.
Moreover, those purchasing tickets before the end of March can take advantage of an Early Bird initiative offering significant savings.

HIGHLAND FLING - A FEW PLACES REMAIN FOR BESPOKE RALLIES’ 2019 SCOTTISH TOUR



HIGHLAND FLING - A FEW PLACES REMAIN FOR BESPOKE RALLIES’ 2019 SCOTTISH TOUR

Most of the events offered by leading international classic car rally organiser Bespoke Rallies are lengthy adventures in far-flung areas of the globe. However, the company is well aware that not all enthusiasts have the time or wherewithal to contest such epic challenges. In recognition of this, it is re-running the four day Highland 1000, which proved so popular last year and ended in climactic fashion with just 12 seconds separating the first two cars home.
Suitable for all skill levels, this year’s contest will take place on September 25 to 29 and start and finish in Falkirk – the home of the unique Falkirk Wheel. It will wind its way through some of Scotland’s finest scenery, taking in numerous familiar landmarks en route. The emphasis will be on fun, and the regularity tests will take place on quiet, largely deserted roads. The main entry will be split into six classes, which between them cater for cars built from 1920 right through to 1989, while there is a Touring option for those seeking a more relaxed drive.
Other great events already scheduled by Bespoke Rallies for this year and next include:
  • Pyrenees 1000, May 8-12, 2019
  • Magical Madagascar, June 13 - July 8, 2019
  • Slartibartfast, Aug 17 - September 2, 2019
  • Royal Rajasthan, November 4-25, 2019
  • Sri Lanka, January 17 - February 8, 2020
  • The Tiger Tasmania, March 2-29, 2020
  • The Imperial Rally, June 14 - July 13, 2020
Further details of everything on offer from this perennially

Monday 25 March 2019

MG3 LOW-COST RACER HAS DYNAMIC DEBUT AHEAD OF SILVERSTONE SEASON START THIS SATURDAY



MG3 LOW-COST RACER HAS DYNAMIC DEBUT AHEAD OF SILVERSTONE SEASON START THIS SATURDAY


Last week, the MG3 low-cost racer built by MG Car Club and SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre made its dynamic debut at Castle Combe Circuit.
SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre Interns were tasked with building the car; using an ex-engineering vehicle as a donor car as part of the Internship Project.
The car has been built with low-cost motorsport in mind; a minimal budget to convert the car into a racer for £5,000 to a specification that allows the car to compete in a Club championship, which shares a low-cost ethos.
MG3 will be able to race in Class A (standard – road-going cars) of the MG Cup during 2019, providing the first season of testing and development plus the opportunity to score points during its first season racing.
The MG Cup has been running for over 30 years, with a simple structure and regulations designed to keep costs to a minimum and provide a challenge for new and experienced drivers alike.
The regulations have been produced to allow any MG3 model to be converted and get on the grid; not just the All-New MG3, which went on sale last year.
This provides potential competitors a chance to race the most up-to-date MG models on track, which has not previously been possible within the Car Club’s championships.
As an additional strategy to encourage participation from young competitors, the MG Car Club also offers half price entries to any competitor 25 and under for the 2019 season, meaning entry fees for a weekend could be as little as £300. 
The MG3 makes its competitive debut this Saturday 30th March in the MG Cup, at the Club’s first race meeting at Silverstone’s National Circuit alongside the Club’s MG Trophy, BCV8, Cockshoot Cup, MG Metro Cup championships.
Adam Sloman, General Manager of The MG Car Club commented “We are delighted to be involved in bringing the latest iteration of MG cars to race circuits up and down the country. Motorsport is a huge part of MG and the Club’s heritage, and we are very much invested in bringing new cars, drivers and young competitors to our grids in the future.”
Joanna Burland, Intern at SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre commented, “The Intern Project has provided a great opportunity to work on something slightly different, and gain valuable experience of helping to develop a new low-cost race car and work with MG Motor and MG Car Club to make the project a success.”

HUGE COLLECTION OF VOLVO CARS TO GATHER FOR WORLD RECORD-BREAKING PARADE


HUGE COLLECTION OF VOLVO CARS TO GATHER FOR WORLD RECORD-BREAKING PARADE
VOLVO 122 AMAZON

Lines of traffic are an all-too-familiar feature of modern motoring life, but on Sunday 31 March there will be a record-breaking queue with a difference, made up entirely of Volvo cars. Car clubs, owners and enthusiasts from across the UK are joining forces to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest parade of Volvos at Volvo600, a special event that will also raise funds for charity.
Volvo600 will take place at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, near Leicester. The venue has room to accommodate many thousands of vehicles, but only 600 are needed for the organisers to meet their target and break the current record, set in Poland in 2010.
An exceptional array of Volvo models is expected, from post-war classics such as the Amazon series and the P1800 coupes, through the iconic estate cars and saloons of the 1980s and '90s to examples from today's award-winning line-up. Tuned and customised cars will be taking their place alongside prized classics and family favourites.
The record attempt is free to enter and to watch, with cars lining up between noon and 2pm ready for the moving parade to be monitored by Guinness World Record officials. Donations and proceeds from merchandise sales will support Breast Cancer Care UK.
Full details of the event programme and how to take part can be found on the Volvo600 website at www.volvo600.co.uk. Information and the latest news can also be followed on social media using #volvo600


Sunday 24 March 2019

THE AGE OF ENDEAVOUR BONHAMS CELEBRATES THE CENTENARY OF BENTLEY WITH LANDMARK EXHIBITION


THE AGE OF ENDEAVOUR

BONHAMS CELEBRATES THE CENTENARY OF BENTLEY WITH LANDMARK EXHIBITION



On Friday 12 April, Bonhams New Bond Street saleroom will be dedicated to Bentley, when it hosts the Age of Endeavour exhibition in celebration of the legendary marque’s centenary.


One hundred years of the racing Bentley is illustrated by 100 pieces of memorabilia, including artefacts that once belonged to W.O. Bentley, F.T. Burgess, and J.D. Benjafield, as well as items that epitomise the legendary race meetings at both Brooklands and Le Mans. Also included are period photographs, posters and trophies that define an age - The Age of Endeavour.


In addition to the memorabilia, four iconic Bentley team cars will be on display in the main saleroom.


Sholto Gilbertson, Motoring Department Director, commented: “This is an absolutely unmissable event for fans of British motoring. Bentley is one of the finest British creations, and it is a privilege to be hosting this landmark exhibition at Bonhams. This collection of memorabilia and motor cars is unique in its breadth, and truly showcases the astonishing achievements of one of the world’s best-loved and most successful marques.”

The exhibition is open on one day only, Friday 12 April, and is free to attend – no tickets or registration are required.

LONDON CONCOURS LAUNCHES LUXURIOUS NEW HOSPITALITY WITH HIX AND VEUVE CLICQUOT


`

LONDON CONCOURS LAUNCHES LUXURIOUS NEW HOSPITALITY WITH HIX AND VEUVE CLICQUOT
The London Concours has officially revealed its luxurious new hospitality offering

The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, has formally launched its exceptional new hospitality offering in association with celebrated chef, Mark Hix, and Veuve Clicquot champagne. The London Concours was established in 2017 as the capital's finest automotive garden party and, with these all-new fine food and drink offerings, it delivers on that promise more than ever.
VIP hospitality guests to the London Concours will be treated to a three-course lunch menu designed by Mark Hix in a pop-up 300 cover restaurant on-site at the Honourable Artillery Company Gardens, called HIX London Concours. Hix will be presenting two very special lunch menus based on his inimitable style of simply cooked, British seasonal food. With specially paired wines, fine coffee and Julian Temperley’s cider brandy truffles, the HIX London Concours lunch is the ultimate automotive garden party indulgence.
From the HIX London Concours three-course lunch, to afternoon tea in the gardens and our London Concours cocktail party, there's always an opportunity for you to have a glass of champagne in-hand. This year, London Concours is delighted to be partnering with Veuve Clicquot, pioneers of the finest champagne since 1772. 
Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said: “The London Concours has always had a spectacular collection of cars at its heart, and with the world-famous touches of Mark Hix and Veuve Clicquot, we’re confident we have a hospitality offering to match. There is unequivocally nothing else like the London Concours; this award-winning luxury automotive event provides a totally unique experience within London's Square Mile for entertaining your friends, colleagues or business associates amongst a selection of the finest cars ever built.
In total, nearly 100 automotive greats of all eras will be on display on the idyllic lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company HQ when the London Concours rolls into the City from 5-6 June. Curated across seven distinct classes, including ‘The Icons’ and ‘The Innovators’, London Concours is the ultimate automotive summer garden party.
The London Concours 2019 takes place from 5-6 June. Tickets are available to buy now from www.londonconcours.co.uk/tickets. More information on hospitality is available at www.londonconcours.co.uk/hospitality


FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR EARLY BIRD TICKET BUYERS



FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR EARLY BIRD TICKET BUYERS
Show-goers have just a few days remaining to take advantage of Early Bird tickets for this summer’s spectacular Silverstone Classic, a heady mix of no-holds-barred racing, dazzling nostalgia and fun-fuelled family entertainment.  
All tickets must be purchased in advance and the Early Bird offer – open to all those buying before the end of March – presents significant savings of up to 17 per cent on standard prices. A wide range of tickets is available including adult, young adult, child, family, day, and weekend, as well as car club display packages for club members and hospitality options.
Those snapping up their tickets now can look ahead to what already promises to be the biggest and best Classic yet with a packed programme of evocative races, record numbers of car club displays and more off-track activities, amusements and attractions than ever before.
With just 10 days to go, here are 10 great countdown reasons to book Early Bird tickets before the offer ends at midnight on Sunday 31 March:
  1. The sublime three-day Silverstone Classic is the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival recreating all the halcyon eras of motorsport. This year’s epic 21-race programme features the full spectrum of motorsport history including for the very first time showdowns for Formula One, Formula Two and Formula Three.
  2. The action-packed 2019 racecard features special anniversary races to celebrate Bentley’s centenary, 60 years of the iconic Mini and 50 years of the Ford Capri, ‘the car you always promised yourself’. Not only that but there is also a special celebration package available to all Mini and Capri owners wanting to join the festivities offering a pair of adult tickets, dedicated display parking plus a memorable track parade.
  3. Legendary brand Aston Martin will be out in force at the Classic. An exciting new three-year partnership with the locally-based, world famous luxury automotive group embraces a raft of rousing on- and off-track activities including the very first round of Aston Martin’s newly announced Aston Martin Heritage Racing Festival Series. The mouth-watering maiden grid is expected to be packed with stunning DB9s, Vantages and Vulcans.
  4. Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart will be among the fast and famous at this summer’s Classic. The two-time World Champion will be celebrating the 50thanniversary of his first F1 title in 1969 and his two unforgettable British Grand Prix wins which came at Silverstone in 1969 and 1971. Sir Jackie will also be raising awareness and funds for the Race Against Dementia Fellowship scheme that he founded, in collaboration with the event’s Official Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK.
  5. An unprecedented number of 130+ car clubs have already registered for glittering in-field parking displays making this year’s Classic another record-breaker four months before the gates have even opened! In total, more than 10,000 privately-owned and cherished classics will be on show over the three days.
  6. Offering exceptional value for money, all tickets give access to both racing paddocks, open trackside grandstands, the majority of the funfair rides, a host of great entertainment for all ages on the festival’s very own Village Green plus a multitude of eye-catching displays, stunt shows and interactive activities providing visitors with lots of flat-out fun for all the family all for FREE.
  7. What’s more, the upbeat live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings are also included in the ticket price. This summer there’s a special homage to the seminal Woodstock festival with the music of original performers Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, Ten Years After and The Who.
  8. While the cars are always the stars at the Classic, the bustling infield is packed with attractions to captivate and amuse all ages and tastes. As a taster, there are panoramic rides on a 40m big wheel, chuckles on a crazy golf course, dastardly dodgem dogfights, persuasive retail opportunities and even the chance for budding young footballers to perfect their soccer talents in the Yokohama Chelsea Skills Zone.
  9. The much-loved TV personality and renowned motoring mastermind Mike Brewer returns with his hugely-popular Car Clinics. In the breaks between the racing, show-goers can join Mike as he casts his expert eye over a great line-up of stand-out classic cars.
  10. Successfully introduced in 2018, Drive Live offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to take a test drive in some of the latest models from the showrooms of participating manufacturers including Aston Martin. For those with a preference for two-wheels, a similar Ride Live initiative will be launched in July. What’s more, with lots of great cars coming under the Silverstone Auction hammer over the weekend, there’s even the chance to drive home in your dream classic at the end of the show!
Best of all: Early Bird tickets booked now save £s and £s. Full details of all Early Bird tickets – as well as weekend festival camping and upgrade options including VIP hospitality and the RetroRun experience (which this year incorporates a tour of the newly opened Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works) – can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

MASSIVE OFF-TRACK ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE CONFIRMED FOR 2019 DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL


MASSIVE OFF-TRACK ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE CONFIRMED FOR 2019 DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL

Visitors to the 2019 Donington Historic Festival on 3-5 May will enjoy not only a hugely entertaining three days of action on the circuit, but also a jam-packed programme of off-track entertainment, including massive display areas, exhibitions and parades.
Formula One cars confirmed for display
A number of F1 cars will be on display during the event, with some taking to the track for demonstrations too.

Cars already confirmed include an ex-Nelson Piquet Benetton B190, the Toleman Hart machine from 1984 that powered Ayrton Senna to stardom, a 1991 Dallara BMS-F191, a Hesketh from 1977 and an extremely rare Honda R8 1082. This was the test mule for the new KERS systems that were developed in F1 ahead of the 2009 season and is believed to be a one-off machine. When Honda pulled out of F1 at the end of 2008, the car was passed to Brawn GP and then to the current Mercedes team, meaning this car will run in the famous colours of the ‘Silver Arrows’ that have marched to every F1 title over the past five years. Additional F1 machinery is also expected to be confirmed ahead of the Festival.
Historic karts to give some buzz
Historic karting has been a major part of the Donington Historic Festival for many years, and this year is no different, with the British Historic Kart Club set to have a big display at the Launch Pad area near Redgate corner. A wide range of historic karts and related memorabilia will be on static display in the Launch Pad, while outside a series of demonstrations will be taking place. Some of the karts on display will have a significant Donington heritage, having taken part in karting Grands Prix at the circuit in the 1980s, while drivers who competed at the events are expected to attend as well as other star guests, set to be confirmed soon.

Take a Sporting Bears classic and supercar Dream Ride
The Sporting Bears have been a prominent attraction of the last two Historic Festivals, and visitors to the event will again be able to have a passenger ride in a variety of classic and modern sports and saloon cars around the local area. Some 25 cars are scheduled to be offering Dream Rides, ranging from a classic Fiat 500 to an SS100 Jaguar, an Aston Martin Vantage, a Maserati GranCabrio Sport and a Ferrari 360 Spider!

Formed in 1989 to provide a way for classic and supercar owners to raise money for children’s charities, the club celebrates its 30th anniversary this year; to date it has raised some £2.3million for its selected causes. Festival visitors will be able to make a donation to benefit the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, based in Loughborough, in return for a 10-mile passenger ride. Sporting Bears members provide the cars, time and effort at their own cost, so every penny raised from the Dream Rides goes to the charity.
Car clubs set to put hundreds of vehicles on display
Donington Park’s Infield and Grand Prix Loop will play host to hundreds of cars from almost 60 clubs. Clubs scheduled to attend range from the Abarth Owners Club to the Z Club of Great Britain, so there will literally be an A-Z of motoring on show! In addition, there’s a special pre-1990s parking area for non-club members who book to bring their classic, and dozens of the pre-1990s and the club display vehicles will be seen out on track in the lunchtime parades.

New Donington entrance and event layout to make event even more accessible
The range of improvements to Donington Park over the winter months will make access to the Donington Historic Festival even easier this year. The redeveloped main entrance will provide easy access to the re-jigged race paddocks, as well as to the Melbourne Loop, which this year will be the host for several major display areas. Donington has also received several other upgrades over the winter include an improved entrance at the Fogarty Esses, and detail improvements in spectator areas.

Shopping at the Festival
With a trade village packed with stands selling everything from motoring and motorsport books, photographs, artwork and other memorabilia to clothing and accessories, Donington Historic Festival is a great place to shop!

Advance discounted tickets
Advance tickets offer significant discounts over buying on the gate, starting at just £10 for the Friday qualifying day (May 3). Children aged under 13 are admitted free of charge and there are discounted tickets for teenagers aged 13-15.

Visit www.doningtonhistoric.com for further information and to book tickets.

Wednesday 20 March 2019

FIRST EVER PETROLICIOUS DRIVERS’ MEETING TO TAKE PLACE AT BICESTER HERITAGE




FIRST EVER PETROLICIOUS DRIVERS’ MEETING TO TAKE PLACE AT BICESTER HERITAGE


The UK’s first ever Petrolicious Drivers’ Meeting has been set for Sunday, May 12 at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire, the former RAF bomber base that now serves as a centre of excellence for the classic car industry.
It’s open to all, with entry just £12.50 per person or free to Petrolicious Members, who will also have access to extra hospitality areas.
Curated displays of around 200 vehicles will be strategically placed around the picturesque Technical Site, leaving plenty of room around them to allow viewing and photography. Exhibits will include a just-restored Colin McRae Subaru Impreza works rally car, the first ever Williams F1 transporter and matching historic Williams F1 car, a line-up of very special Ferraris, Le Mans endurance cars, one of the world’s rarest Lamborghinis, homologation specials, a collection of 1989 models celebrating their 30th birthday, and much more.
There will also be a special display area in one of the huge exhibition hangars next to the Technical Site, where there will be a Petrolicious stage and cinema screen, motoring art displays and selected trade stands and manufacturer displays.
Outside in the car park, there will be a Drive Tastefully parking area set aside for all Petrolicious-appropriate transport, plus separate VIP parking for Petrolicious Members. Founding Petrolicious Members will also receive access to a VIP area and roof terrace overlooking the site.
The majority of the companies based at Bicester Heritage will be opening their doors to visitors on the day, including Robert Glover Ltd, Pendine, Porsche specialist Sports Purpose, pre-war Riley and MG experts Blue Diamond Services, Fuzz Townshend Classic Oils, Auto Wax Works, Porsche Classic Life and the famous Wriggly Monkey Brewery.
This will be an amazing chance to experience the world-famous Bicester Heritage complex and to be a part of the first-ever Petrolicious event in the UK. Tickets will be available soon.

LINE-UP OF ASTONISHING FERRARIS SET FOR LONDON CONCOURS



LINE-UP OF ASTONISHING FERRARIS SET FOR LONDON CONCOURS
Ferrari 288 GTO

The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, will be hosting a special celebration of Ferrari, as the famed Italian manufacturer becomes one of the event’s ‘Great Marques’. A class solely dedicated to the greatest Ferraris ever built will gather ten Prancing Horse icons from the past 70 years.
Starting with the 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter, and culminating in the Ferrari LaFerrari, the London Concours will chart seven decades of automotive evolution through the lens of perhaps the world’s most famous car manufacturer.
The 166 Inter on display is one of only 38 and is the ninth road-going Ferrari ever built. Developed alongside the 166MM racing car, the Inter is powered by a 2.0-litre V12 engine, producing around 115bhp, but features a wheelbase stretched by 300mm to make space for a small set of rear seats.
The front-engined, V12-powered layout of the Inter became a Ferrari hallmark, utilised by iconic models like the Ferrari 275 GTB, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’, Ferrari 365 GTC/4 and Ferrari 599 GTO, all of which will be on display at the London Concours. The 599 GTO was the last Ferrari to wear the famed Gran Turismo Omologato badge, designating a car that was 100kg lighter than the standard 599 GTB, more powerful and meticulously honed for track use.
Only three Ferrari models have ever been designated ‘GTO’, and London Concours will be displaying another of them, in the form of the Ferrari GTO, or 288 GTO. Only 272 examples were built, characterised by a use of exotic lightweight materials, including fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon fibre, adjustable suspension and an aggressive aerodynamic body kit.
Representing Ferrari’s range of flagship supercars at the London Concours are the Ferrari F40 and Ferrari LaFerrari. Each is the perfect representation of the very latest performance technology during their era. The F40 makes use of a twin-turbocharged V8 and lightweight aluminium, carbon fibre and Kevlar construction, while the LaFerrari is powered by a 6.3-litre V12 and electric motor hybrid for a total of 963PS.
The full list of Ferraris currently confirmed to attend is:
Ferrari 166 Inter
Ferrari 275 GTB
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’
Ferrari 365 GTC
Ferrari GTO
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari 512 BB
Ferrari F40
Ferrari 599 GTO
Ferrari LaFerrari

In total, nearly 100 automotive greats of all eras will be on display on the idyllic lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company HQ when the London Concours rolls into the City from 5-6 June. Curated across seven distinct classes, including ‘The Icons’ and ‘The Innovators’, London Concours is the ultimate automotive summer garden party.
Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said:Which brand deserves the title of ‘Great Marque’ more than Ferrari? Leaving aside its seven decades of top-level motorsport victories, Ferrari has a stable of road car legends stretching right back to the 1940s. To be so consistently excellent, to have created a brand with such global dominance and to show no signs of slowing down – Ferrari is the very definition of automotive greatness, and we’re delighted to be showcasing some of its best work at the London Concours.”
The London Concours 2019 takes place from 5-6 June. Tickets are available to buy now from www.londonconcours.co.uk/tickets