LOTUS AT THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2019

LOTUS AT THE GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 2019

Lotus is following this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 theme ‘Speed Kings – Motorsport's Record Breakers’ with a celebration of some of the most successful, pioneering and record-setting cars ever made, and the drivers that steered them.

Goodwood is the perfect setting for Lotus to follow up on last year’s 70th-anniversary celebrations with an even greater presence in 2019.

The Lotus stand will house the current Lotus range of Elise, Exige and Evora, plus the recently unveiled Lotus Evora GT4 Concept race car which will be campaigning in the global GT series in 2020.

Alongside the Evora GT4 Concept will be a very special Lotus Type 25 F1 car – the almost mythical 25/R6 – which is the actual car in which Jim Clark set the best ever time of 1:20.4 for a lap of the Goodwood circuit in 1965 *.

This lap time has never been and never will be bettered due to changes in the original configuration of the circuit, and Lotus is grateful to the Museum Tinguely for the loan of this unique race car.

Another Jim Clark record still standing is his eight “Grand Slams”: pole position, fastest lap, leading every lap and victory all in the same race, two of which he achieved in 25/R6 at the 1964 British GP and the 1965 French GP. Jim Clark is still way ahead of the next best three who are on five “Grand Slams” each. **

There will be two Evora GT4 Concept race cars at Goodwood this year – both in identical colour schemes mimicking the Lotus Type 25 livery. One will be on the Lotus stand, while the other will be driven up the Goodwood Hill Climb course by Lotus’ Director of Vehicle Attributes, Gavan Kershaw, a former winner of the British GT Championships in a Lotus Evora.

Win a unique Lotus Evora

Lotus is a committed supporter of the Jim Clark Trust, the Scotland-based charity that celebrates the life of one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, and who first entered the world stage driving a Lotus.

Goodwood visitors have a chance to win a unique Jim Clark Lotus Evora special edition, a tribute to Jim’s 1960’s famous red and silver Elan, through a prize draw. This special Evora GT410 Sport is officially designated the 100,000th Lotus road car ever built.

With it comes a spare tailgate signed by all 20 F1 Drivers from the 2019 season. This shows the global support for this worthwhile charity, and Jim Clark’s legacy 51 years after his untimely death

Each ticket costs £20/€20 and the money raised goes towards supporting the Trust’s new museum in Duns, Scotland. The draw to win the Lotus Evora Jim Clark special edition will take place in mid-August 2019, so this is one of the last opportunities to win this unique and valuable car.

Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, said: “Lotus’ connection to Goodwood is long and strong, and this year, with the theme being Record Breakers, it is fitting that we remember the remarkable and unbeatable lap by Jim Clark, This heritage is our bloodline, but our focus is on the future and this will be reinforced by something new and extra special during the Festival.”

Up the Hill

Eight legendary Lotus cars prepared by Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus will head up the Goodwood Hill Climb at the 2019 Festival of Speed:

Lotus 18 – chassis 912

This famous Lotus Type 18 in Rob Walker Racing colours was driven by Stirling Moss to arguably his greatest victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1961. It’s a race where the temperature at the circuit was so high that the side panels of this particular car were removed to allow cooler air to circulate around the cockpit, helping Moss to a spectacular win. This Lotus 18/912 will be driven by Clive Chapman, the son of Lotus founder, Colin Chapman.

Lotus 38 – chassis R7

Following a painstaking restoration, this Lotus Type 38 was driven by Al Unser in 1966 and Jim Clark at the 1967 Indy 500 races. It is liveried in the striking ‘Dayglo-Rocket-Red’ STP colour scheme with white high-mounted exhausts. The car will be driven by owner Nick Fennell.

Lotus 49 – Chassis R10

Chassis R10 is the only F1 car to have won the Monaco GP twice - in 1968 and 1969, both times by Graham Hill. R10 will be high-wing 1968 specification and driven by the Graham’s son Damon, the 1997 F1 World Champion. Damon is familiar with his father’s legendary Gold-Leaf red-white-and-gold car, having driven it at the 1,000th F1 World Championship race at Shanghai earlier this year. At that event, this famous Lotus 49 was given pride of place by being the only historic car invited to celebrate the landmark occasion race.

Lotus 72 – Chassis 5

The Lotus Type 72 is the most successful F1 design in the history of motorsport. At Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019 it will be united with its legendary driver Emerson Fittipaldi who drove it to the drivers’ and constructors’ World Championship honours in 1972 and again in the 1973 F1 campaign until it was crashed at the Dutch GP. The car has undergone a complete repair and restoration by Classic Team Lotus, using the original design drawings penned by Colin Chapman and chief engineer Maurice Phillipe to ensure it is returned to original specification. Emerson Fittipaldi considers 72/5 to be his favourite, having won his first GP in it, at Watkins Glen in 1970. Multiple Le Mans winner, Jacky Ickx, who raced a Lotus 72 in the 1974 and 1975 seasons, will also be taking the wheel of 72/5.

Lotus 79/2

79/2 is one of the cars that Mario Andretti campaigned and won the F1 Championship in 1978. The Type 79 pioneered the use of ground-effect aerodynamic downforce through its Venturi profiled underbody, and recently won the ‘Innovation Category’ award at the London Concours. This car will be driven by Lee Mowle, a British GT competitor and Classic Team Lotus customer.

Clive Chapman, Director of Classic Team Lotus, said: “This year’s contribution from Classic Team Lotus will be one of the most special for a long time. I am absolutely delighted that Damon, Emerson and Jacky will be reunited with the cars with which they have so much connection. And of course, I will fulfil a lifelong ambition to drive the Stirling Moss’ Lotus 18 – and if the weather is good, we can remove the side panels to recreate Monaco 1961!”

Exige Sport 410 and Evora GT410 Sport

In the supercar runs, a Lotus Exige Sport 410 and a Lotus Evora GT410 Sport, both in the iconic Lotus yellow colour scheme, will be driven by two of Lotus’ leading Vehicle Dynamics Engineers, Dan Peck and James Hazlehurst.

Finally, there will be one last surprise at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for Lotus fans. Further details on this will be communicated nearer the event.

THE ANNUAL GREAT NORTH CLASSIC CAR SHOW

THE ANNUAL GREAT NORTH CLASSIC CAR SHOW

The Annual Great North Classic Car Show is fast approaching bringing you even more events and more cars for enthusiasts of all ages. To be held at Beamish Valley’s premier festival site, Black Horse Beamish, located in the picturesque Beamish Valley conservation area, this year’s event takes place on Saturday, July 6th. Featuring a host of historic high-performance cars and motorcycles, this family day out will for the first time boast a dedicated auction of cars and lifestyle automobilia

. This event is the brainchild of Aston Workshop’s Bob Fountain who says “This has been a long-held ambition of mine, to come up with an event to which families can come and enjoy a day out, with cars, entertainment and FUN in the North East. We had a grand day last year but, by moving the date from April to the summer, we are anticipating a far more spectacular event”. Along with the car show and Concours de’elegance competition, there will be a Gala Dinner in the famous Orchard Marquee featuring a Charity Auction, live music and five-course dinner, hosted by former Top Gear presenter and motoring journalist Steve Berry. Steve will be in attendance all day to answer those Top Gear questions that you have always wanted to ask.

 Hi-lights of the day will include:- 1) After last year’s success, this year’s event more than doubles the number of exhibitors featuring over 400 cars. 2) Featured for the first time will be an on-site auction sale of prestige, classic, collectors and high-performance motor cars and automobilia. Entries are still open for this event

. Contact Aston Workshop to be sure you don’t miss out on this unique event. 3) A new feature will be “Concours d’elegance” featuring prestige cars competing for trophies and awards in special categories. Well known industry judges will preside. 4) The second annual Gala Dinner this year features popular guest speaker Steve Berry, formerly of Top Gear. The chosen charity this year is JPC Community Farm. Full details are available at http://www.greatnorthclassiccarshow.com With advance tickets already selling fast, please contact to reserve your tickets at : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-great-north-classic-car-show-2019-tickets-53249480630

FAMILIES STAY COOL AT BEAULIEU’S VW T CHILL WEEKEND RALLY

   FAMILIES STAY COOL AT BEAULIEU’S VW T CHILL WEEKEND RALLY

VW Transporter fans will be chilling out in style at Beaulieu’s VW T Chill as they set up camp with their much-loved campers and commercials in the grounds of the National Motor Museum for a relaxing weekend from Friday 9th to the main show day of Sunday 11th August.

Returning by popular demand, the laid-back rally will bring together all ages and versions of the legendary VW Transporter, from the iconic split windscreen and bay window Type 2, through the much-loved Type 25/Type 3 to the modern-day T4, T5 and T6.

There will be family-friendly activities to join in with throughout the weekend at one of the south’s leading visitor attractions in the heart of the New Forest. It is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow owners, make friends and socialise. On Saturday 10th, rally-goers can join the cruise-out to the picturesque maritime village of Buckler’s Hard, with a classy VW convoy which is sure to get heads turning, then test knowledge in the pub quiz, before warming by the communal fire pit.

On the main show day of Sunday 11th Beaulieu attraction visitors can join the experience, with the chance to see these amazing vehicles at Show and Shine on the Events Arena. Owners will be polishing and decorating their gleaming Transporters to go on display, with prizes for the most eye-catching machines.

Live music by singer-songwriter Izzii Moulsdale will provide entertainment, while the theme for this year’s fancy dress competition is Vanimation. Dress as a favourite animated or cartoon character to be in with a chance of scooping the Best Fancy Dressprize. There will also be prizes for winners of the VW T Chill colouring competition, with under-5s and under-10s categories.

Participant tickets, for those taking part in a VW Transporter, are £16 an adult and £8 a child, with camping tickets at £32 per pitch. Campers’ entry into the showground is from 2pm on Friday 9th to 6pm on Sunday 11th, while VW Transporter owners are welcome to simply join the rally for the Sunday Show & Shine if they prefer. Participant tickets include entry to all of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Beaulieu Abbey, Palace House and the grounds and gardens. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/vw-t-fest.

All other visitors, who would like to see the Show & Shine on Sunday 11th, are able to buy a general attraction entrance ticket and enter Beaulieu through the Visitor Reception building from 10am.

RECORD 60 MINIS RACE TO MARK DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

RECORD 60 MINIS RACE TO MARK DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

The record-breaking Mini grids at next month’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) have just got even bigger!

Ensuring the British motoring icon’s magical 60th birthday is celebrated in fitting style, special dispensation has come from Motorsport UK, the governing body of UK motor sport, for the addition of two extra entries to the previously permitted sell-out 58 car grid.

As a result, the pair of spectacular showdowns for the Mini Celebration Trophy Presented by Adrian Flux will ­– aptly – now feature 60 competition prepared Cooper S’ all dating back to the evocative pre-1966 era.

Not only will this be the greatest field of retro racing Minis ever seen on the planet but also the largest ever starting grid in the Classic’s own outstanding history.

“It only seems right and proper that we mark the Mini’s 60th milestone with a 60 car grid, so we are really grateful to those at Motorsport UK and Masters Historic Racing, who are organising these anniversary races, for securing this special permission,” said a delighted Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO.

“As well as being a sixties fashion icon, the Mini’s reputation was built on some wonderful motor sport successes, so there could neither be a better, nor more appropriate, way to celebrate its 60th anniversary than with an incredible 60-strong grid at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.”

One of the charismatic diminutive game-changer’s most famous sporting victories came when Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally – the last British pair to win the Alpine classic.

Now Hopkirk will be adding to the celebrations at the Classic when he’s reunited with his winning #37 Cooper S (registration 33 EJB) to lead a glittering Diamond Anniversary track parade on Friday lunchtime at the Classic – an appetiser to the weekend’s two tasty 20-minute Mini races.

“I’m really flattered to have been asked to front this fantastic parade,” said Hopkirk modestly. “It’s great that I’ll be back in my old car and I’m going to be bringing the Monte trophy along, too. It was presented to me by Princess Grace.

“The Classic is such a brilliant event and, oh my goodness, it will be absolutely amazing to see 60 Minis altogether on the track at the same time.”  

With all the pre-1966 Minis equipped with similar race-prepared 1275cc engines and built to identical technical regulations – the level of competition is going to be spirited. Even more feisty as the record gathering also stars a number of top guest drivers.

Entries have come from throughout Europe – and as far afield as the US – and are headed by all the proven Mini top guns; aces such as Jonathan Lewis, Ian Curley, Bill Sollis, Lars Ekorness and Nick Swift.

For these eagerly anticipated Diamond Jubilee showdowns, the established regulars are joined by a number of well-known racers from the British Touring Car Championship ranks including multiple Le Mans class winner Darren Turner, Patrick Watts and 2013 BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan.

Those wishing to join the unmissable party for Sir Alec Issigonis’ game-changing Mini are offered a wide range of ticket choices along with camping and hospitality options. All those coming to this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.

Adult admission starts at £45 and all tickets will provide access to both racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer mark the 50th anniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website. 

HEVENINGHAM CONCOURS: THE 2019 WINNERS

HEVENINGHAM CONCOURS: THE 2019 WINNERS

1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Monoposto (Credit: Tim Scott)

Heveningham Concours has announced the winners in the motorsport and aviation concours at this year’s event which took place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June at the 5,000-acre Georgian estate in the heart of the glorious Suffolk countryside.

Chairman of the motorsport judging panel Max Hunt and fellow judges Lord Montagu, Romulus Rost Marino Franchitti and James Elliott awarded the bronze Lawrence Edwards trophies to the following cars:

• 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B Monoposto (owned by Jennie Taylor and the late Hugh Taylor) - winner, pre-war class (special mention for the 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix)
• 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (owned by a Private Collection) - winner, post-war class (special mention for the 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS)
• 1993 Jaguar XJ220S (owned by a Private Collection) - winner, supercar class (special mention for the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa by Scaglietti)
• 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Roadster by Corsica (owned by the Corner family) – winner, Bentley Trophy

Horsepower Hill was won by a Ferrari 488 Pista which made the sprint up the main drive in 10.54 seconds.

In the aviation concours, the judges (Chair of judging panel Vic Norman, John Romain and Paul Bonhomme) awarded the Hanna Aviation Trophy to the 1939 Westland Lysander TT MKIII owned by the Aircraft Restoration Company with special mention going to the 1941 Curtiss P40-C Warhawk.

Ahead of the concours, The Heveningham Tour saw around 50 cars drive through the scenic lanes of Suffolk and taking in, amongst others, Westleton, Dunwich and Thorpeness, before arriving at the former RAF/USAF Bentwaters air base, which was a strategic nuclear-armed base for the Americans during the Cold War. Cars toured the former nuclear bomb stores under ‘armed’ guard and enjoyed a ‘Putin’s Picnic’ adjacent to the Star Wars building at Bentwaters before taking to the main runway with some of the super and hypercars enjoying donuts at the end. A black-tie dinner for owners was held at Heveningham Hall on Friday night followed by a Summer party with live music and entertainment on Saturday evening.

A total of 60 stunning cars were exhibited over the two days on the Kim Wilkie-designed grass terraces to the rear of the Grade I listed Palladian mansion, including cars from the very dawn of motoring, such as an 1898 Panhard et Lavassor M2F, up to the modern day with cars such as a 2019 Ferrari Monza SP1 and a 2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport. Williams F1 Heritage also sent four Formula One cars, including a Williams-Mercedes FW41 car driven in the 2018 season by Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin, and was immediately identifiable on the track thanks to its distinctive Martini livery.

Commenting on this year’s concours, Max Hunt, chairman of the judging panel, said: “With summer finally arriving just in time, this year’s event has been our most successful to date. A huge thank you to all our owners and, of course, visitors who help to raise lots of money for local charities and provide a full scholarship for a student to undertake the post-graduate MA Intelligent Mobility at the Royal College of Art.”

Heveningham Concours takes place at the same time as the long-standing Country Fair which itself attracts around 20,000 people to the estate each year.

For more information about the concours, visit: www.heveninghamconcours.com For further information about the country fair which takes place at the same time as the concours, including ticketing, visit: www.countryfair.co.uk

WORLD CLASS CARS DRAW CROWDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE SUPER SCRAMBLE

WORLD CLASS CARS DRAW CROWDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE SUPER SCRAMBLE

Over 6000 avid car enthusiasts attended the inaugural Super Scramble at Bicester Heritage proving that the sell-out event was a firm favourite of the UK’s 2019 motoring calendar. With the usual welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Historic Motoring, the beautiful location opened its doors to the public for its standout event of the year.

More than 100 carefully selected vehicles were invited from around the world to take part and crowds were treated to display laps from more than 80 of these as well as to the noise and drama of several other exceptional cars being started and run-up throughout the day.

Daniel Geoghegan, Managing Director of Bicester Heritage commented ’The combination of some of the world's most important motor-cars being displayed and demonstrated against the cinematic backdrop of Bicester Heritage proved irresistible. The atmosphere was welcoming and relaxed, we have been inundated with positive comments in producing an event which was inclusive yet of the highest quality.'

The unique 1939 Delage D8-120 of Peter and Merle Mullin took centre stage on the Main Drive. An imposing and graceful machine, this Chapron-bodied roadster appeared in the 1951 Hollywood blockbuster An American in Paris starring Gene Kelly and it was surrounded by admirers throughout the day.

Nearby, Ten Tenths Racing’s 1953 Carerra Panamericana Ferrari 250 MM, its red and white livery emblazoned with its racing number of 1.2.3, drew equal crowds. Campaigned in period by Mexican racer Efrain Ruiz Echeverria, this one of a kind Ferrari 250 MM proved a bold and popular edition to the line up.

Tiggy Atkinson, Bespoke Events Manager of Bicester Heritage, said:

‘The Super Scramble was a highlight in the Bicester Heritage events diary offering a great day out for motoring enthusiasts and their families. We were delighted that owners of such prestigious, exciting vehicles were keen to display their cars on the Technical Site and more than half of them to run on the Demo Course. It is always such a delight to see and hear these vehicles in motion. We hope that regular ‘Scramblers’ and new followers alike enjoyed the day.’

On the demonstration track at Bicester Heritage, the famous 1933 Barnato-Hassan Brooklands racer was expertly driven by owner, David Ayre.

The MK2 Escort of Rob Smith of the Vintage Radiator Company was expertly piloted around the corners with just three wheels touching the tarmac for most of its lap.

Also enjoying several parade laps was the 1953 Le Mans Rover-BRM. With a noise unlike any other car on the track, this gas turbine-powered racer was demonstrated by the British Motor Museum and was just as jaw-dropping for spectators in 2019 as it must have been in 1953.

A tribute to the late legend Norman Dewis was represented by a wonderful display of historic Jaguars including an XKSS from Jaguar’s own collections and Richard Frankel’s Jaguar C Type, driven in period by Sir Stirling Moss.

Mercedes-AMG F1 drew huge crowds as they repeatedly fired up the 2013 Lewis Hamilton F1 car - its screaming engine proving a rallying cry for the many that flocked to it throughout the event.

On the Main Drive of the site, the Bicester Heritage based apprenticeship scheme, Heritage Skills Academy, teamed up with the Association of Heritage Engineers and Brooklands Museum to fire up the cast 24-litre Napier-Railton for runs up and down the central avenue.

Daniel Geoghegan concluded. ’The Super Scramble! exceeded our expectations and will be remembered for sharing the fun and passion of our automotive culture with enthusiasts and their families. We were delighted to have the support of our 40 specialist companies and their customers, not to mention Brooklands Museum and The British Motor Museum, each of whom demonstrated motoring rarities rarely seen in action by the public’.

THREE SENSATIONAL WOOLF BARNATO CARS TO STAR IN SALON PRIVÉ BENTLEY MASTERS

1930 Bentley 4.5-litre Supercharged by Gurney Nutting

 Born in 1895, Joel Woolf Barnato was a British financier and racing driver and one of the famous ‘Bentley Boys’ who all favoured the cars of W.O. Bentley. Barnato acquired his first Bentley (a 3-litre) in 1925 and won numerous Brooklands races in the car and then, having been inspired by the 1924 Le Mans win of John Duff and Frank Clement, he went on, 12 months later, to acquire the business itself.

Sadly, with the arrival of the Great Depression in 1931, Bentley Motors Limited went into receivership only to be purchased the same year by Rolls-Royce. Having previously purchased a share in Rolls-Royce, Barnato was able to return to the Board of Bentley in 1934. 

Passion and position enabled Barnato to pursue his love of the Bentley brand and he owned a number of very special examples over the years. Three such models will feature in this year’s Salon Privé Bentley Masters at Blenheim Palace on Saturday 7th September. With more than 50 of the greatest Bentleys ever built displayed on Blenheim’s lawns, it will be a unique, one-off spectacular showcase, with Barnato’s cars sure to shine.

1930 Bentley 4 ½-litre; one of the legendary ‘Blower’ Bentleys. Now part of a private American collection, the ‘Blower’ came about following the urging of fellow ‘Bentley Boy’ Sir Henry "Tim" Birkin. Captain Woolf Barnato, then Chairman of Bentley Motors Limited, enlisted the support of noted engineer Amherst Villiers to design a supercharger for the 4 ½-litre 4-cylinder, 16 valve, overhead camshaft, Bentley engine. The Villiers Roots-Type Supercharger created approximately l0lbs of boost at 4000rpm, resulting in a top speed in excess of 105mph. In all, approximately 55 ‘Blowers’ were produced for the purpose of homologation with perhaps only 40 examples still in existence today. This beautiful one-of-a-kind race car, fitted with its elegant Gurney Nutting coachwork, was delivered to Captain Woolf Barnato in July 1930.

1934 Bentley Barnato Hassan

The 1934 Barnato Hassan Special. This sensational single seater was commissioned by Captain Woolf Barnato a special project for one purpose only – racing. Powered initially by a 6 ½-litre Bentley engine with two S.U. carburettors, on a short (11 foot) chassis, the car was long, narrow and very fast. In 1935, the car was fitted with a newly designed body and a new 6 cylinder 8-litre Bentley engine with 3 S.U. carburettors, the combination of which enabled driver, Oliver Bertram, to break the Brooklands lap speed record with an average speed of 142.60 mph. Incredibly, this was achieved with an automotive engine under the bonnet – it took an aero-engined car, the Napier Railton, to beat it.

The 1936 4 ¼-litre drophead coupe. This model, with coachwork by H. J. Mulliner, was delivered to Barnato’s Mayfair home on 6th July 1936. The unique streamlined body with concealed hood, the body no. 4226 was transferred from B2DG, a 3 ½-litre car, which was registered to Mrs Woolf Barnato on March 15th 1935. Prior to this transaction, the body was repainted in silver blue and the interior retrimmed in dark blue leather. A chromed dashboard with white-faced dials was also fitted. It is an all matching numbers car that whilst having been restored, has remained as original as possible.

Salon Privé Bentley Masters forms part of a weekend-long celebration which also includes the Bentley Drivers Club Annual Concours and attempts at the world’s largest gathering of Bentleys. Set to be the largest Centenary celebration in the UK this year, it is a ‘must’ for all Bentley enthusiasts.

David Bagley, Salon Privé Co-Founder & Sales Director commented: “What better way to celebrate the Centenary of one of the greatest-ever British automotive marques than at Britain’s Greatest Palace, Blenheim Palace. With such global admiration for the marque, we’ve received entry forms from around the world but as is customary with Salon Privé, we always go for the very best and most influential models. Other than W.O. Bentley himself, no other person was more influential in Bentley’s history than Captain Woolf Barnato and so we are thrilled to have these 3 wonderfully unique examples of his participating in the event.”

1936 Bentley 4.25-litre Streamline DHC

A CENTENARY CELEBRATION FOR BENTLEY AT GOODWOOD

A CENTENARY CELEBRATION FOR BENTLEY AT GOODWOOD

Bentley Motors will continue the year-long celebrations of its centenary at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, through a programme of displays and dynamic cars that will bring 100 years of extraordinary history to life.

The centrepiece of Bentley’s presence will be the Centenary Concours, a 30-strong display of the most iconic models from the marque’s past and present which include one of the rarest and most valuable Bentleys in the world - the 4¼-litre 'Embiricos' Special – alongside Bentley’s recently unveiled an all-new Flying Spur. Other rare highlights include a Gurney Nutting Speed Six, a 1948 Pininfarina Mark VI, a Continental GT Zagato and W.O. Bentley’s own 8-Litre from 1930.

Meanwhile, the Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn will feature at least six R-Type Continentals as the centrepiece of this year’s Concours d'Elegance. Only 208 R-Type Continentals were built, and they now exist as one of the most desirable models from Bentley’s past. The three lines that define the R-Type Continental – the power line, rear haunch and sloping fastback roof – remain the inspiration behind the styling of today’s Continental GT.

The Goodwood Hillclimb will feature more Bentleys than ever before. Four cars that define the chapters of Bentley’s motorsport history will underpin the Bentley Racing Class – a selection of cars curated by Goodwood to tell the history of the marque in a dynamic way. Travelling from Crewe will be:

• EXP2 – the second experimental prototype built by W.O. Bentley and the oldest surviving Bentley in the world. EXP2 was the first Bentley to go racing, throughout 1921 and 1922 and will make its Goodwood dynamic debut this year.
• The 1929 Birkin Blower, one of four Team race cars built for Tim Birkin’s racing career and raced at Le Mans in 1930. “No.2” is one of the most campaigned and valuable Bentleys in the world, now insured for £25m. It will be driven up the Hillclimb by Katarina Kyvalova, the founder of the Bentley Belles – a group of talented female drivers that race historic Bentleys around the world.
• 2003 Speed 8 #7 – the very car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003. The culmination of a three-year campaign, the Speed 8 scored a historic 1-2 finish to claim Bentley’s sixth Le Mans title and it’s first since 1930. Returning for driving duty will be Bentley Boy Guy Smith, who took the chequered flag.
• The 2018 Continental GT3 – the second generation of GT3 racer, now built from the current Continental GT road car. Racing around the world, the Continental GT3 visits the Festival fresh from winning the 1000km Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Race at Paul Ricard in the hands of Steven Kane, who will also take the wheel at Goodwood.

The racing Bentleys will be joined on the Hillclimb by four powerful Grand Tourers from the current model range. The Continental GT and new Continental GT Convertible will appear in the Supercar class, with the latter being piloted by rising British female racing driver Abbie Eaton. The very latest additions to Bentley’s range – the Bentayga Speed and all-new Flying Spur – will make their UK dynamic debuts as part of the First Glance class.

Ahead of this year’s Festival, and to highlight Bentley’s long-standing partnership with the event, Goodwood and Bentley have produced a joint film featuring some of Bentley’s most important cars from the last century being used across the Goodwood Estate. With a cameo from His Grace The Duke of Richmond and starring his personal butler, Monty, the film is a celebration of the first 100 extraordinary years of Bentley. The film can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/H5ocacOc41g.

BMH GRANTED TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF THE MGCC DONINGTON RACE MEETING AND ITS EQUIPE 3 HOUR RELAY - JULY 20/21

BMH GRANTED TITLE SPONSORSHIP OF THE MGCC DONINGTON RACE MEETING AND ITS EQUIPE 3 HOUR RELAY - JULY 20/21

British Motor Heritage (BMH) will be playing a multi-faceted role in the MG Car Club’s major summer race meeting at Donington Park on the weekend of July 20/21. Not only will the company be the title sponsor of the whole event, but also that of the popular Equipe 3 Hour Classic Relay race that takes place on Saturday. Last but not least, it plans to run its own trio of race cars (an MGB, Austin A40 and Mini Cooper S) in the relay, and have a display of its wares in the paddock.

Said BMH’s Managing Director John Yea: “We are delighted to provide such backing to the MG Car Club (MGCC), which continues to organise excellent race meetings for exactly the type and period of cars we help keep in existence by our supply of original-quality replacement panels and bodyshells.

“Supporting the third running of the Equipe 3 Hour Relay is also something of a no-brainer, as we applaud the way Equipe Classic Racing has created a ‘trophy’ event in the style of the Spa 6 Hours and Birkett Relay Race, but one that’s more affordable and kinder to the type of smaller-engined cars that dominate British classic racing. Besides, we love competing in it!”

Said MGCC organiser Andy Green: “This is an exciting first for the MGCC, as we have never before sold the title of one our events, and are delighted to have made such an arrangement with BMH, as it’s the perfect fit for both parties. We look forward to what promises to be a great weekend of classic motorsport.”

For further information on British Motor Heritage and its products for the classic car, sector see www.bmh-ltd.com.

MAGNIFICENT MOTORS FOR BEAULIEU’S SIMPLY MERCEDES DEBUT

MAGNIFICENT MOTORS FOR BEAULIEU’S SIMPLY MERCEDES DEBUT

The stylish luxury cars of Mercedes-Benz will be the stars of Beaulieu's brand new Simply Mercedes on Sunday, August 18th when they meet for the brand new event in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

Eagerly anticipated by German car fans, Simply Mercedes is open to all ages and models from the marque’s distinguished history. From sporty roadsters and luxury saloons to rugged off-roaders and hard-working commercial vehicles, all are invited to park up in the rally which will honour one of the world’s most respected car makers.

Expect to see a selection from landmark post-war models such as the stylish fintail and ‘Ponton’ saloons, through the iconic 300SL ‘Gullwing’, classic ‘Pagoda’ sports car and popular W123 saloons, to the modern-day A-Class, S-Class, G-Class and X-Class, as well as class-leading Sprinter van and the all-terrain G-Wagen and Unimog. All Mercedes are welcome to join the show.

The Mercedes-Benz Club will be out in force, bringing a selection of its members’ prestigious cars.

Visitors and event-goers will be able to vote for their favourite Mercedes of the show in the People’s Choice Award, with the winner receiving a Beaulieu trophy.

Make sure to explore the National Motor Museum, included in the event ticket, where show-goers can see a remarkable selection of historic Mercedes. The 1903 Mercedes 60hp, one of only five still in existence, is joined by the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 36/220 Model S once owned by actor Sir Peter Ustinov and the 2010 McLaren Mercedes MP4/21 replica of Jenson Button’s F1 racer.

Event tickets include entry to all of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the Montagu ancestral home of Palace House and its grounds and gardens.

For those driving a Mercedes and taking part in the show, participant tickets are £10 an adult, £5 a child (aged 5-16) if bought in advance online before 5pm on August 15th, or £12 an adult and £6 a child on the day. All other visitors can buy general admission tickets to Beaulieu at the standard attraction price. For tickets and information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-mercedes.

Entry is from 9am - 3pm for rally participants. The Brabazon Restaurant will serve hot drinks and breakfast snacks from 9-11am. All other visitors should enter Beaulieu though the Visitor Reception building with a standard attraction admission ticket, from 10am.

The first Simply Mercedes will be Beaulieu’s ninth Simply rally this year, followed by Simply Smart on November 10th. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

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BICESTER HERITAGE SUPER SCRAMBLE CARS INCLUDE 2013 LEWIS HAMILTON’S MERCEDES F1 CAR AND ENDURANCE RECORD NAPIER RAILTON

BICESTER HERITAGE SUPER SCRAMBLE CARS INCLUDE 2013 LEWIS HAMILTON’S MERCEDES F1 CAR AND ENDURANCE RECORD NAPIER RAILTON

Sunday 23rd June: Lewis Hamilton’s 2013 F1 car and the endurance record 1933, 24 litre Napier Railton are set to be stars of the show at the inaugural Bicester Heritage Super Scramble on Sunday 23rd June.

The event, which will be held at the Oxfordshire-based automotive hub, is expected to attract around 6,000 visitors, with the first run of tickets already sold out.

It promises to be a must-attend for enthusiasts with more than 80 truly special motor cars making demonstration runs on the Bicester Heritage Test Track throughout the day. A further selection of around 40 historic cars will be on display including Hamilton’s 2013 Mercedes-AMG F1 V8 from the Mercedes-AMG F1 Collection and the Brooklands Napier Railton. An eclectic mix of rare cars from private collections will be shown, from famous hill-climb and rally cars to hot-rod sand racers, European coach-built classics and manufacturer prototypes. Visitors can also expect to see and hear some dramatic fire-ups throughout the event.

The entire Technical Site will form the paddock area for the demonstration track and guests can wander freely through the display vehicles to get a close-up experience of the preparation and warm-up of vehicles before they take to the circuit.

Set within the grounds of the UK’s best-preserved WW2 bomber station and attached to an active airfield, the Super Scramble will combine live action displays of historic machinery with the relaxed, access-all-areas ethos of the campus.

The first Bicester Autojumble will be held inside the Exhibition Hangar 113, alongside the inaugural Art of Transport exhibition. This live and interactive installation of automotive artists’ studios inside the hangar will allow attendees to explore the rich and varied artistic endeavours that surround transport in the UK, with workshops and seminars taking place throughout the day.

Daniel Geoghegan, Managing Director of Bicester Heritage, commented: “The Super Scramble will celebrate the heritage of our rich automotive culture, offering sights and sounds to enthusiasts young and old. Bicester Heritage’s philosophy of inclusivity and family appeal has shaped this Super Scramble and we look forward to what promises to be a memorable feast for the eyes and ears alike.”

To buy tickets online, follow this link HERE

Tickets are available to purchase in advance only and will not be available on the gates on the day. They are strictly limited to 6,000 and expected to sell out before the event.

 Photo credit: Tom Horna - AutoHouse London