CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE CELEBRATES ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING FESTIVAL OF MOTORING AT WINDSOR CASTLE

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE CELEBRATES ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING FESTIVAL OF MOTORING AT WINDSOR CASTLE

• Nearly 12,500 motoring enthusiasts flocked through the gates of Windsor Castle for the largest Concours of Elegance yet

• Incredible one-off Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia won Best in Show, voted for by the Owners of the cars themselves

• Total amount raised for charity through the Concours of Elegance passes £1m as donations at Windsor Castle alone hit nearly £200,000

• The RAC Club Trophy – celebrating the best of the nation’s car clubs – was awarded to a pristine Aston Martin ‘Clover Leaf’

• An impeccable Jaguar XK120 DHC took home the Jaguar Trophy, while the pre-1965 Bentley Trophy was awarded to a Bentley 3 Litre, and the post-1965 Trophy to a Bentley Azure

The Concours of Elegance is celebrating another record-breaking festival of motoring, following a weekend of the world’s finest cars displayed in one of the UK’s most picturesque venues: Windsor Castle. Nearly 12,500 visitors attended the largest Concours of Elegance yet, with nearly a thousand cars on display, and the unique Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia crowned as the Best in Show.

Sixty of the world’s rarest cars parked in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, ranging from the 1895 Benz Velo ‘Comfortable’ to the 2016 Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spyder. Many of these cars haven’t been seen in the UK before, representing some of the rarest and most incredible examples from throughout automotive history.

The Best of Show-winning 1938 Hispano-Suiza Dubonnet Xenia was developed by André Dubonnet, an inventor, racing driver and World War One fighter pilot. Dubonnet chose an H6 Hispano-Suiza engine for his creation, and commissioned Jean Andreau to design the incredible, streamlined body. Jacques Saoutchik then brought the design to life, featuring curved glass, sliding doors and a panoramic windscreen.

Unlike most concours d’elegance events, the Concours of Elegance Best of Show isn’t picked by judges– instead the owners of the cars vote for their favourite. This year the Dubonnet Xenia was the stand-out winner, followed by the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Viotti Coupé. The Hispano-Suiza was also a favourite with the public, having won the Classic Driver Public Choice award.

Outside of the main Concours of Elegance cars, nearly 1000 other models parked at Windsor Castle for the weekend, including some of the finest examples from the UK’s most prestigious car clubs. A panel of expert judges, including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, chose a pristine Aston Martin ‘Clover Leaf’ as the Club Trophy winner, granting it a much-coveted spot in the main Concours of Elegance event next year.

With 90 historic Jaguars on display on Jaguar Land Rover Saturday, the competition for the Jaguar Trophy was tough. Led by Jaguar Classic MD, Jonathan Edwards, a panel of judges overwhelmingly decided the car they would most want to take home, was an impeccably restored Jaguar XK120 DHC.

Bentley Sunday saw more than a hundred Bentleys lining the Long Walk, and an expert panel of judges, including model David Gandy, with the tough job of picking an overall winner. In the pre-1965 class it was a pristine Bentley 3 Litre that took home the trophy, while in the post-1965 class it was an immaculately maintained Bentley Azure.

As ever with the Concours of Elegance, a huge amount of money was raised for the event’s chosen charities; this year The Queen’s Choral Foundation, The Household Cavalry Foundation and Springfield Youth Club Hackney. With this year’s donations of almost £200,000, the Concours of Elegance has now raised more than £1m for charity.

The venue for the Concours of Elegance 2017 will be the subject of an announcement in the coming weeks.

SOURCE: CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

TOTAL OILS THE WHEELS FOR MOTORING’S PIONEERS

TOTAL OILS THE WHEELS FOR  MOTORING’S PIONEERS    Leading oil company backs Veterans with modern technology for century-old engine   Pioneering automobiles from the 19th century will benefit from Formula 1 technology as leading oil and gas company Total becomes a long term Official Lubricant Supplier to the famous Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox.   Total first became involved in the Royal Automobile Club event last year and has now signed a three-year agreement which will see the company’s involvement expand to offering not just lubricants to participants but also a full mobile welding service to compliment the work of the RAC Motoring Services patrols.      Marc Smith, General Manager at Total UK, Lubricants Division, said: “Total has been catering to the needs and specifications of generations of engines from the 1920s right up to multiple F1 world championship winning cars and Aston Martin Racing. We are delighted to be supporting the Run for the second year in a row and to strengthen our link with the veteran car community.   “It is amazing that these cars are still running and with our expertise and technology applied to oils and lubricants, we are working to ensure their engines perform as well as – or even better than – they did when new, more than 110 years ago!"   With experts on hand to talk about how modern oil technology is vital to the longevity of veteran engines, Total will be at the start of the Run in Hyde Park and will provide two oil stations en route, at the Honda Redhill assist point and the Harrods stop at Crawley, the official half way point.   Total has teamed up with leading restorers, Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth to provide the mobile welding unit. This is the first time that such a specialised service has been offered to participants in trouble.   “As usual, patrols from RAC Motoring Services will be providing help to those who break down, but sometimes these unique vehicles demand specialist help and we are delighted to be able to offer this service thanks to Total and CMC,” said Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Veteran Car Run Steering Group Committee.   This year’s Run marks the 120th anniversary of the first ‘Emancipation Run’ from London to Brighton, which was held in November 1896. It marked the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act which raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4mph to 14mph and abolished the need for the vehicles to be preceded by a man carrying a red flag.   As tradition dictates, the Run – which has been organised by the Royal Automobile Club since 1930 – will take place on the first Sunday on November, which this year falls on the 6th. More than 400 three- and four-wheelers – all built before 1905 – will take part in the Run.   The Run is just one element of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week – a seven-day celebration of motoring, which includes an art exhibition, motoring heritage lectures, a motoring forum and a motoring books awards evening. The penultimate event in the week is the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 5th November, which turns London’s premier shopping street into a motoring showcase that puts the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike. Then just before 7am on Sunday 6th November the Club’s premier event, the 120th anniversary Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Run supported by Hiscox, gets underway.   For more details of the event and access to registration forms visit www.veterancarrun.com.

Press Release For Immediate Distribution: 21/9/16

GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW LONDON HISTORIC MOTORSPORT SHOW IN FEBRUARY 2017 • Historic motorsport is given its own pre-season event  • New show will run alongside the existing London Classic Car Show • Eminent speakers at new Historic Motorsport Conference  • Motor Racing Legends announced as first organisers and promoters  • Some 100 competition cars for sale   Brand Events, the company behind a raft of successful motoring events including CarFest, Top Gear Live and the recent IGNITION Festival of Motoring has developed a dynamic new international Conference and Exhibition in London to champion and celebrate historic motorsport.   Reflecting the UK’s leading role in the world of historic motorsport and rallying, Historic Motorsport International will be a platform for engineering and preparation experts, event organisers, promoters and suppliers.   Special features include the inaugural Historic Motorsport Conference. Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Henry Hope-Frost, the ticketed conference will examine a wide variety of topics including the use of current technology in classic race and rally cars, driving standards and sponsorship.   There will be up to 100 competition cars for sale from leading specialist dealers while other exhibitors will include motorsport clubs, governing bodies, officials, sponsors and media owners.   An impressive number of high-profile companies and organisations have already jumped at the opportunity afforded by this new, far-reaching international showcase set right in the heart of London. These include renowned competition car sales specialists such as Taylor & Crawleyand Duncan Hamilton & Co; premier championship organisers including Motor Racing Legends and the Classic Sports Car Club plus Dunlop Motorsport, the official distributor for Dunlop historic racing tyres. Octane, the UK’s leading quality monthly magazine covering the world’s greatest classic and performance cars from both road and track, is also supporting the show alongside Historic Racing Technology, which brings a unique perspective to the business of restoring, preparing and maintaining historic competition cars with in-depth technical articles on the engineering and craftsmanship behind this growing industry.   Historic Motorsport International will be held alongside another motoring exhibition from Brand Events, the London Classic Car Show, now in its third year and looking to build on the record 33,000 visitors who visited the 2016 event.   They will be held at ExCeL London, on 23-26 February, with access to both shows included in the entry price. Historic Motorsport International will open its doors at 10am on Thursday 23 February, while the London Classic Car Show will burst into life at 3pm that afternoon.   "Historic Motorsport International will feature many of the most iconic historic competition cars for sale and blend the business-to-business, competitor and enthusiast aspects of the buoyant historic motorsport scene, from classic Formula Ford and historic rallying through to period Formula One, GTs, Sportscars and Prototypes,” said show director Ian France. “Whether your interest is in the many fiercely competitive UK domestic championships or marquee events such as Silverstone Classic, Spa Six Hours or the Historic Ypres Rally, this exciting new event will reflect your tastes and opportunities to get closer to the sport.”   “HMI will market all aspects of historic motorsport on behalf of competitors, preparers, event organisers and promoters, specialist retailers and enthusiasts.”   Tickets to Historic Motorsport International 2017 are now available from the show website –historicmotorsportinternational.co.uk – and start at £24 for single adult entry (£27 on the door on the day).

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE WINDSOR CASTLE 1st - 4th SEPTEMBER 2016

CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE

WINDSOR CASTLE

1st - 4th SEPTEMBER 2016

September heralded the return of the Concours of Elegance to Windsor Castle home of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, it's return marked the Queen's 90th birthday which she had celebrated earlier this year.

Within the Quadrangle of the Castle sixty of the most stunning ehicles built ever were displayed beneath sunny skies, visitors were treated to names Rolls Royce, Hispano Suza, Lamborghini, Ford and many more

Crowned Best in Show was the 1938 Hispano Suza H68 Dubonnet Xenia in the ownership of Peter and Merle Mullin. The vehicle was developed by Andre Dubonnet a fighter pilot, racecar driver and inventor, the streamlined body was designed by Jean Andreau which was brought to life by Jacques Saoutchik, and was powered by a Hispano Suza engine selected by Dubonnet. Resplendent in it's silver paintwork the crowd's were attracted to it as if it were a magnet, and who can blame them.

Copyright: Sian @ Classic Chatter

You can view our picture gallery by clicking the link below

https://www.flickr.com/photos/classiccarimages/sets/72157673368652165/page4

The event was a celebration of  automotive excellence with displays of vehicles lining the drive within the castle gates plus the odd dog.

From the Utilitarian Land Rover to Porsche,Ferrari,Jaguar, Aston Martin there was something to whet the appetite of enthusiasts.

Outside the gates along the Long Walk were Owners club displays featuring Aston Martin,

Ferrari, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar plus vehicles from Pre & Post War with names from the major British Manufactures of the era.

Sadly our time was limited and we were unable to attend on the Sunday, after taking a tumble on my scooter while viewing the cars in the Quadrangle, I owe a debt of gratitude

to four gentlemen who helped me up and dusted me off.

Congratulations to the organizers who pulled  of this event over the last five years,and look forward to hopefully attend the next

 

The Warren Classic & Supercar Show - Sunday 25th September, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex

                                                                              A 1959 Jaguar XK150 SE 3.4 Drophead Coupe

The Warren Classic & Supercar Show - Sunday 25th September, Woodham Walter, Maldon, Essex

H&H CLASSICS ONE OF JUST FIVE AUCITON HOUSES TO HAVE SOLD A CAR FOR MORE THAN $10M WILL BE SHOWING SOME STUNNING CARS

RACE DRIVER Jolyon Palmer will be there during a break between the Singapore and Malaysia Grand Prixs
 

For golf and classic car lovers this ESSEX event is a double whammy – superb classic cars in a stunning golf setting.

The Warren Classic Concours d’Elegance is a wonderful opportunity to view some of the world finest classic motorcars. Over one hundred and twenty cars from around the world have been selected by the organising committee to compete in the Warren Classic Concours, competing over twelve categories. This is a unique opportunity to get up close to some of the finest examples of motorcar in the world and to talk to the owners.

The judges, hand-picked for their specialist knowledge of veteran, vintage and classic cars, will judge the cars based on presentation, originality and of course, elegance. Following judging the winners of each category will form a procession into the main arena, where the winner of the Warren Concours d’Elegance will be selected.

Classic & Supercars:

Presented alongside the Concours will be the Supercars including the Bugatti Veyron, the most powerful car in the world. The Drive-in Classics section gives the opportunity for car clubs and local enthusiasts to display their pride and joy.

Among the cars that H&H Classics will be showing are two Jaguars, one for restoration and one beautifully resored – both are headed for sale at the Imperial War Museum Duxford on October 12^th. A 1964 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe – the archetypal barn find and a 1959 Jaguar XK150 SE 3.4 Drophead Coupe – A beautifully restored ‘home market’ example.

Pre-1918 Edwardian Celebrations to headline VSCC Race Season Finale at Mallory Park

Pre-1918 Edwardian Celebrations to headline

VSCC Race Season Finale at Mallory Park

The Vintage Sports-Car Club returns to the ever-popular Mallory Park later this month for its 2016 Race Season finale on Saturday 24 September.

The Leicestershire venue is a firm favourite amongst the Club’s Competitors and Spectators, down to its grassroots feeling and superb track that always encourages top quality racing, with the celebrated annual Handicap Race for Pre-1918 Edwardian Cars sure to be the highlight of the day, if not the year.

 

The unique event – the only one of its kind in the world – regularly attracts a capacity grid of international Pre-1918 machinery, with almost all taking part over 100 years old. In addition to the action on track, Club Principal Associates, Bonhams, will again be supporting the day with an impressive period display in the Paddock, with all the competing cars on show alongside other fine examples from this pioneering era of motor racing and more Vintage entertainment besides.

The race will be part of an exciting 11-Race programme, headlined by Trophy races for Vintage, Post-Vintage and Historic Racing and Sports-Cars.

The day’s title feature will honour local British Racing hero, Bob Gerard who, having competed so successfully at another well-known Midlands circuit for many years, was invited to open the newly constructed Mallory Park Race Circuit in 1956, with one of the most challenging and famous corners in the country still bearing his name today.

Accommodating the most prestigious Racing Cars of the immediate Pre- and Post-war era, we look forward to welcoming representatives of ERA, Riley and Cooper Bristol – manufacturers with which Bob was so closely associated – alongside other examples of the era such as Bugatti, Alta, Connaught, Lotus and more to honour him in style.

Elsewhere, the race for Vintage Racing Cars of the 1920s is sure to prove another thrilling spectacle with some of the UK’s best Historic racers on board, whilst the very finest Sports-Cars of the Pre-war era will also be in action, complemented by welcome Invited grids for Formula Junior – the popular series celebrating its 60^th Anniversary – and the AR Motorsport Morgan Challenge.

With its amphitheatre setting, Mallory Park offers some of the best Spectator viewing in the UK, with many elevated areas from which you can enjoy the action outdoors or from the comfort of your own vehicle.  Once again, those arriving in Pre-war cars are encouraged to gather in the dedicated parking area above the Devil’s Elbow parallel to the Start/Finish straight whilst you can also follow the access roads around the edge of the circuit and park up all the way down to the famous Gerard’s Bend. 

As at all VSCC events, there will be free entry to the Competitor Paddock, accessed via the footbridge over the Start/Finish straight; here you will be able to get up close to the competing machinery, speak to the drivers, and explore the day’s Trade Stands and Autojumble.

Practice will get underway at 9.30am with racing to begin at 1.00pm following the Lunch Break (all timings subject to change).

Advance Tickets are on sale now (VSCC Members: £8.00, www.vscc.co.uk; Non-Members: £10.00,www.malloryparkcircuit.com) or will be available on the gate (All: £12.00). Children Under 16 go free. 

     

Don’t miss our annual Edwardian Handicap Race at Mallory Park – the only race of its kind in the world.

Photo: Mark Ballard

LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW REVS UP FOR A FERRARI SPECTACULAR IN 2017 • Highlights to include a celebration of 70 years of Ferrari road cars • The Grand Avenue returns to provide thrilling classic action • Tickets now on sale, with discounts available to on-line buyers • Diary date: 2017 London Classic Car Show: 23-26 February   The 2017 London Classic Car Show moves into its third year with a host of spectacular features guaranteed to excite motoring enthusiasts of all ages and interests.   Returning to ExCeL London, the 2017 show will be held on 23-26 February and will build on the record 33,000 visitors who visited the 2016 event.   Among the new features planned is a celebration marking 70 years of Ferrari road cars while a display focusing on the life and work of a top motoring personality will be another highlight: previous shows have turned the spotlight on Red Bull designer Adrian Newey and Gordon Murray and the McLaren F1.   Popular features such as The Grand Avenue and Car Club Square will return, bigger and better than ever. The Grand Avenue, a roadway running through the centre of the show, allows visitors to see and hear their favourite classics in action. This time, The Grand Avenue will have an open paddock allowing visitors to get even closer to the cars.   Introduced in 2016, Car Club Square had displays from leading one-make classic car clubs and proved an instant hit. For 2017, more clubs will be invited to display a range of models, while top classic dealers will be on hand with mouth-watering machinery for sale.   As in previous years, The London Classic Car Show will attract a large number of celebrities from the motoring world over the four days of the event. Previous guests include: James May, Chris Evans, David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Sir Stirling Moss, Ari Vatanen, Gordon Murray, James Martin and Jodie Kidd. Expect plenty more big names in 2017.   “Although only in its third year, the London Classic Car Show has already established itself as theclassic car show by which all others are judged. We have introduced many innovative features and have more exciting plans for 2017,” said event director Bas Bungish.   Tickets to the London Classic Car Show 2017 are now available from the show website –thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – and start at £24 for single adult entry (£27 on the door on the day).   Full details and pictures from the event can be found via the show’s official website –thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – and Facebook pages.

CARFEST REACHES DOUBLE FIGURES WITH A TENTH SELL-OUT SUCCESS   • CarFest South revs and rocks at Laverstoke Park Farm • Three days of non-stop entertainment for the young and young-at-heart  • Cars, music and family fun make weekend a unanimous success   CarFest reached double figures with its tenth fun-filled, adrenaline-fuelled festival taking place at the event’s spiritual home of Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire over the sun-drenched August Bank Holiday weekend (26-28 August).   It was back in the Spring of 2012 that BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans first dreamt up his concept for the perfect family festival. The inaugural event would feature a mouth-watering medley of great cars, fabulous food, live music plus an intoxicating mix of entertainment to enthrall and inspire all ages.   Such was the public’s enthusiasm for the initial three-day event – hosted by former F1 world champion Jody Scheckter at his award-winning bio-dynamic and organic farm near Basingstoke – that a CarFest North in Cheshire was immediately added to the bill.   Since then, two magical CarFests have been held each and every summer, thrilling in excess of 500,000 festival-goers and raising more than £6m for BBC Children in Need – figures that will rise significantly again following this year’s latest pair of sell-out extravaganzas.   Indeed, since its inauguration five years ago, CarFest South has gone from strength-to-strength – Evans himself hailing last weekend’s as the biggest and best yet.   “Oh my goodness; time really does fly when you’re having so much fabulous fun – I can’t believe we’ve now reached double figures!” he beamed. “I know we’ve said it before and I hope we’ll say it again, but these CarFests just get better and better and better. I just had a crazy idea one morning and now five years on, thanks to so many wonderful people, the reality has wowed hundreds of thousands of CarFesters and raised many millions for BBC Children in Need. What’s not to like about that… other than the fact we have to raise the bar even higher in 2017!”   The latest CarFest certainly will be a tough act to top. A sell-out audience soaked up the summer sun, a captivating collection of cars, adrenaline-fuelled activities, fabulous food and timeless tunes.  As ever, Scheckter himself was to the fore on home soil, the 1979 title winner taking the chance to blast several of his F1 winning cars up own his farm drive as well as a new acquisition, a 1956 Porsche tractor. He wasn’t the only world champ in action, though.   Multiple Formula 1 World Champions Red Bull Racing co-starred in the Track Sprint, as the title-winning RB7 – piloted by former Grand Prix racer Patrick Friesacher – wowed onlookers with a series of high-speed runs along the hay bale-lined hill climb.   The story of motoring was told via The Time Tunnel, as 40 iconic cars from down the decades went on display, from a classic turn-of-the-20th century Oldsmobile right up to the present day with one of only two dozen Aston Martin Vulcan hypercars each valued at more that £2 million.   Other highlights included a 1904 chain-driven Maudlsay, the restored Babs land speed record breaker complete with its flame-spitting 27-litre V12 Liberty aero engine and a Ferrari F40, the world’s first 200+mph supercar. And no Time Tunnel would be complete without a 1982 DeLorean DMC-12 – think Marty McFly and ‘Back to the Future’ and you won’t be far wrong...   Throw in Chris Evans’ own Famous Five, a Sporting Bears auction, the show-stopping Top Gear Stunt Team led by Paul Swift and smoke-spewing hot rods amongst a myriad of other automotive attractions, and petrol-heads were well catered for indeed over the weekend.   BBC Children in Need’s loveable mascot Pudsey Bear could be seen around the site, high-fiving enthusiastic festival-goers and cheerfully posing for photographs. Traditional favourites like ‘Britain’s Best’, JCB Dancing Diggers and food fair demos with celebrity chefs Tom Kerridge and James Martin, meanwhile, were joined by welcome new additions including a drive-in cinema, Shetland Pony Grand National, camel racing and dancing workshops with TV stars Kevin and Karen.   Grand Prix team boss Ross Brawn, double Olympic Gold Medal rower James Cracknell and Evans’ fellow BBC Radio 2 broadcasters Jeremy Vine and Vassos Alexander plus BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood were among those welcomed by Evans, who also found time to complete The Great Festival Dash fund-raising fun run dressed in a gorilla suit!      The acts on the evening music stage ranged from teenage heart-throbs Ronan Keating, Will Young and Rick Astley to Welsh rockers Stereophonics, former The Verve front-man Richard Ashcroft, the Military Wives from BBC 2’s The Choir and chart-toppers Status Quo, who closed the show to a rapturous reception on Sunday night.   All the latest CarFest news can be found on the festival’s official website (www.carfest.org), Twitter and Facebook platforms.