BEAULIEU’S 50TH FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR CELEBRATES FIRST MOON LANDING

BEAULIEU’S 50TH FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR CELEBRATES FIRST MOON LANDING

Beaulieu’s 50th Fireworks Spectacular will take you Out of this World on Saturday 26thOctober when the event celebrates the anniversary of the first moon landing.

Beaulieu’s first fireworks event was held in the same year as the lunar landing of Apollo 11 and so the half-centenary event will be choreographed to an impressive space-themed playlist.

In association with Wave 105, Fireworks Spectacular will start half-term holidays with a bang, with entertainment for all of the family at one of the biggest fireworks displays in the south. 

Event-goers can arrive early from 3pm to enjoy all of the features of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey. Traditional fairground rides will include a big wheel and popular gallopers, children’s swing boats and a coconut shy, while rides on the Monorail will be offered into the evening.*

From 7pm on the Wave 105 stage, radio presenters will get the evening off to a dynamic start with live entertainment running before and after the fireworks. The fireworks display will get underway at approximately 7.30pm and hot food and drinks are available inside and out.

Tickets can be bought in advance online before 5pm on October 24th, at £13.50 an adult, £8.75 a child and £38 a family. Tickets can also be bought on arrival from 3pm on October 26th. For tickets or more details see https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/beaulieu-fireworks/ or call 01590 612888.

Visitors with general attraction Beaulieu tickets who arrive earlier in the day are welcome to stay and enjoy the fireworks, while entry with event tickets is from 3pm.

Event admission also includes entry to the Beaulieu attraction until 5pm, with the exception of World of Top Gear which closes at 3pm. The National Motor Museum, with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, will stay open until 9.30pm.

* Old time fairground and monorail rides are subject to availability and will be offered at good-value extra charges.

CROWD-PLEASING SUPERCAR SHOWCASE RETURNS BY POPULAR DEMAND

CROWD-PLEASING SUPERCAR SHOWCASE RETURNS BY POPULAR DEMAND

The cars are always the stars at the annual Silverstone Classic (26-28 July). The pair of race paddocks are jam-packed with hundreds and hundreds of the finest competition cars from the sport’s golden eras, the infield is chock-a-block with thousands and thousands of dazzling classics spanning generations of motoring history plus there is the awe-inspiring Supercar Legends presented by Yokohama display.

First introduced in 2018, the stunning showcase of supercars was an instant success with visitors and, as last year, it will be based in the International Paddock where the Formula 1 team contesting the British Grand Prix were located just yesterday.

Adding to its allure, the standout display will not only put the spotlight on the latest generation of exotic speedsters from leading supercar manufacturers but, in keeping with the event’s overall theme, will also co-star paragons from previous generations.

Among the past champions will be seminal icons such as the Lamborghini Countach, Porsche Carrera GT, De Tomaso Pantera and Jaguar XJR-15 – the sensational V12 powered mid-engined marvel produced by Tom Walkinshaw Racing as an alternative to Jaguar’s own XJ220.

Bringing the supercar story more up-to-date, the showcase will also put a Classic spotlight on more recent speed machines – a mouth-watering array including a pair of astounding Aston Martins (One/77 and DBS On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), Ford GT in evocative Gulf racing livery, Lamborghini Aventador S, a trio of mind-boggling McLarens (720 Spyder, SLR and P1) plus a pair of impressive Pagani roadsters (Huayra and Zonda S).

Another head-turner will be the new Brabham BT62 – a £1.2m track day stunner that can trace its lineage back to triple F1 World Champion Sir Jack Brabham.

Further fuelling the adrenalin rush, visitors to the Classic over the weekend will be treated to an unmissable 3D supercar experience with the eye-catching collection being fired-up for memorable parade laps of the full Silverstone Grand Prix track.

“There are so many great cars already on show at the Classic but the Supercar Legends presented by Yokohama was a real crowd-pleaser when introduced 12 months ago – it has already evolved into yet another of the many, many highlights at the Classic,” extolled Event Director, Nick Wigley.

Whether lured by the incredible supercars, the unrivalled retro race-card, the 10,000+ classic cars on show, or the amazing array of fun-fuelled family entertainment, all Silverstone Classic tickets must be purchased in advance.

This summer’s unrivalled race roster includes special anniversary celebrations for Abarths, 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. There’s also a sparkling Twilight Tribute to Le Mans as the sun goes down on Saturday evening.

Providing great value, all tickets – which must be purchased in advance – also give access to a wealth of great family entertainment including period funfair rides, driving experiences, interactive games, massive car club displays plus live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evening which this summer pay homage to the seminal Woodstock festival of 1969. Along with access to both racing paddocks and open trackside grandstands, all of those fun-fuelled attractions are included absolutely free in the ticket price!

Adult tickets cost from just £45 and a wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website. 

THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC JUST GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER!

THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC JUST GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER!

The world’s biggest historic motor racing festival has just got even bigger and better with the addition of yet another mouth-watering grid to this year’s already record-breaking line-up.

Joining the festival’s first-ever single-seater showcase featuring a glittering array of retro F1, F2 and F3 grids and the greatest-ever field of racing Minis to mark the diminutive icon’s 60th birthday, it has been confirmed today (Thursday) that the Historic Sports Car Club’s newly re-titled Thundersports category will be a further addition to the ever-impressive racecard at the most comprehensive historic racing festival of the season.

The new addition will enjoy two spectacular showdowns: a single driver 25-minute Thundersports Sprint race on Saturday and then a longer 40-minute Thundersports Endurance race on Sunday with a mandatory pit-stop and optional driver change.

This will be the fourth season of the HSCC-organised series of races for some of the most spectacular sports and GT cars active in historic racing but is its first appearance on the highly prized Classic bill.

Cars of the type used in the World Endurance Championship, FIA GT Championship and FIA 2-Litre SportsCar Championship will race, along with Can-Am sports-racing cars from the heydays of the category in the 1970s.

The Thundersports season started at Silverstone in mid-May with a superb 30-car field, headed by the stunning DFV-powered Lola T282 of Leo Voyazides, the Chevron B26 of John Burton and the thundering 8-litre Can-Am McLaren M8F of Dean Forward. Many 2-litre sports-racers and a bumper field of Sports 2000s packed out the impressive grid.

“We are thrilled to be adding two more great races to what’s already a stand-out on-track programme at the Classic – perhaps our best ever,” stated Nick Wigley, CEO of the Silverstone Classic. “The inclusion of these Thundersports cars will add yet another dimension to an incredible feast of motorsport history which ranges from the wonderful Bentleys that raced so heroically at Le Mans in the twenties right up to the recent eras of startling prototype sports cars. With so many truly wonderful cars from yesteryear all racing on the track, this is going to be a very special Classic for all involved.”

Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the HSCC, is equally enthused. He said: “We are very excited at the opportunity to take Thundersports to the Silverstone Classic alongside our existing races there for Historic Formula 2 and Classic Formula 3. Increasing demand from competitors has made this race possible and we’re planning to deliver a full, varied and spectacular field. I’m sure our regular contenders will be joined by some welcome newcomers to Thundersports.”

Fans wishing to experience the record-breaking roster of evocative retro-races must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission is from just £45 and weekend camping and hospitality upgrades are available, too.

All tickets include entrance to both racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.  

SIR JACKIE STEWART RECREATES GOLDEN AGE AT THE CLASSIC

SIR JACKIE STEWART RECREATES GOLDEN AGE AT THE CLASSIC

Fifty years ago in July 1969, the legendary Jackie Stewart celebrated his maiden British Grand Prix win at superfast Silverstone. Roared home by his home fans, the victory was not only a career milestone but one which powered the Flying Scot on towards the first of his three world championship titles.

This summer, Stewart will be back at the Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) to mark the golden anniversary of that very special win. He will also be raising awareness and funds for dementia research, a charity cause that is very close to his own heart.

Almost exactly 50 years on from that first British Grand Prix triumph, Stewart returns behind the wheel of his victorious Matra-Ford to mark the occasion with some high-speed demonstration laps on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the 2019 Classic.

“I am looking forward very much to getting back to Silverstone in the Matra, even if not at quite the same speeds as 50 years ago!” enthused the triple champion.

Emphasising the tartan helmeted hero’s dominance at the time, the Silverstone success was his fifth in six races but, although he had lapped the entire field by the finish, this victory was memorably hard-earned.

All those lucky enough to have witnessed the 1969 British Grand Prix will recall the incredible duel between Stewart and the hard-charging Jochen Rindt. The Austrian had qualified his Lotus 49 on pole position and was embroiled in a thrilling dice. The lead changed many times until, on one such occasion, Stewart spotted that a part of the Lotus’ rear wing was coming loose and, dangerously, starting to rub against a rear tyre.

Renowned as a campaigner for safety, Stewart warned his rival and Rindt was forced to pit for swift repairs, returning to the track to finish in a thoroughly undeserved fourth position.

“The 1969 British Grand Prix was one of the most exciting and enjoyable Formula One races that I ever had,” recalled Stewart. “Jochen was one of my best friends. The cooperation we had in not trying to block each other allowed us to definitively run away from the rest of the field. We knew, because in those days there was no aerodynamic sophistication, that we could draft each other and pass if we were not blocked. Almost every lap, we exchanged the lead on the Hanger Straight and going into the 155mph Woodcote corner, which in those days had no chicane. We pointed to each other which side to be passed on, to avoid reducing our lead from the rest of the pack. We exchanged the lead more than 30 times and it was a fantastic race for both of us. 

“The Matra MS80 was a wonderful car to drive and the Lotus 49 was also exceptional, in addition to which we were such good friends that there were no nasty circumstances during the entire race, until the unfortunate point at which Jochen’s rear wing came loose. My father and my brother were there to see me win. It was a big day in my life as we had lapped the entire field.”

Today the tireless Stewart is crusading for a different cause. After his wife, Lady Helen Stewart, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, he founded Race Against Dementia believing the application of Formula 1 technology and philosophies could produce earlier solutions to the condition. Almost one million people in the UK alone are living with dementia.

“I am extremely grateful to the organisers for supporting Race Against Dementia,” said Stewart. “Helen will be truly proud of what we’re doing to challenge her illness and the challenge dementia poses to us all.”

At this summer’s Silverstone Classic all funds raised by the festival’s Official Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, will go directly to Race Against Dementia Fellowships. The Fellowships, which are administered by Alzheimer’s Research UK, will support early career scientists in their pursuit of innovative solutions to the big questions in dementia research.

“We are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause at the Classic this year and are very honoured to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sir Jackie’s landmark 1969 season in the best possible manner,” said Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO. “It will be very special to see Sir Jackie back behind the wheel of the iconic light-blue Matra and together once again roaring around Silverstone. It’s going to be a fantastically evocative sight, and one which we hope will provide some impetus to further fuel awareness of, and fundraising for, the pioneering Race Against Dementia Fellowships.” 

Ian Wilson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re so excited that Sir Jackie Stewart will be returning to Silverstone this year to honour this iconic anniversary, while also raising much-needed funding and awareness for dementia research. Like so many people today, Sir Jackie knows only too well the heartbreak dementia causes and the desperate need there is to find a cure. Thanks to the incredible support of the Silverstone Classic, we will be able to fund research that will make breakthroughs possible.”

Adding to the Classic’s golden anniversary celebrations, the event’s pair of blue-riband retro races featuring glorious DFV-powered F1 cars dating back to the sport’s golden age between 1966 and 1985 are being renamed in the Scot’s honour as the Sir Jackie Stewart Trophy for FIA Masters Historic Formula One. The Scot will be back on the Silverstone podium, too, this time presenting the trophies.

Visitors wishing to witness Stewart’s evocative return to the scene of so many of his major successes and, indeed, to experience all the amazing attractions on offer at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival have until midnight on Thursday 25 July to buy their tickets.

Adult general admission starts at £45 and all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone 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.

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website. 

RECORD IN-FIELD DISPLAYS AT THE PACESETTING 2019 CLASSIC

RECORD IN-FIELD DISPLAYS AT THE PACESETTING 2019 CLASSIC

A new record number of hugely passionate car clubs have registered to join the massive crowd-pleasing showcase of timeless makes and models at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July).

Last year’s unprecedented turn-out of 128 clubs has already been blitzed with, to date, 136 clubs registered to display at the event, enabling members to take advantage of the special packages on offer and forming an integral part of the world’s biggest retro-racing festival.

Members of these registered clubs – a simple online process open until the end of this month (May) – are offered a fantastic advance ticket package which not only includes two adult general admission event tickets but also an infield vehicle display pass which allows those arriving in classic cars to park on their club’s allocated stand and feature in the spectacular infield show.

In recent summers, more than 10,000 privately-owned classics have been exhibited right at the heart of the three-day extravaganza, providing 100,000 visitors with an incredible showcase of much-loved motoring history… a number that is now likely to be topped in July.

Car club display packages for Saturday-only have already completely sold-out well in advance of the 31 May deadline – a limit on each ticket-type is required due to the complex logistics involved in accommodating so many car clubs in the available space over the full festival weekend – but a restricted number of Friday, Sunday and weekend (both two- and three-day) packages remain on sale, subject to availability, up until the 31 May deadline.

With such a huge turn-out, it is no surprise that the record total of registered clubs ensures all the hallowed marques are again well represented. Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Morgan, Porsche and Triumph are all well represented and this year they are joined by a number of new recruits. One of these significant newcomers is Vintage Racing Ouest Motorsport – its members are bringing a collection of around 20 eye-catching automobiles from France.

Capri and Mini clubs are also notable additions as they mark their respective model’s 50th and 60th anniversaries in impressive style at the Classic with special celebration packages also available only until the end of the month. Further underlining the festival’s international appeal, one Capri is being driven all the way from Warsaw.

As well as celebrating major Capri and Mini milestones, this year’s Classic will also celebrate the centenary of Bentley. Abarth, too, has big plans to honour its 70th in July.

Many of those clubs attending not only take advantage of the special display packages on offer but also may be invited to pay doting homage to key marque and model milestones with dedicated anniversary track parades. In recent years, over the weekend of the Classic, the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit has staged record processions featuring evocative E-type Jaguars, fabulous Ferrari F40s, pacey Porsche 911s, jaw-dropping Jaguar XJ220s, and magnificent McLaren supercars.

In total, more than 40 special track parades have been squeezed into breaks between the packed programme of retro races. The remarkable roster includes such stand-outs as the Austin Healey 3000, BMW Z1, De Tomaso, Fiat Coupe, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Middlebridge Scimitar and Triumph TR6. The full list of this year’s anniversary track parades can be found on the silverstoneclassic.com website.

While car club packages are only available until the end of May, visitors wishing to experience all the amazing attractions on offer at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival have until midnight on Thursday 25 July to buy their tickets.

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

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website. 

KINGSLEY CARS ATTENDS LAND ROVER LEGENDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE

KINGSLEY CARS ATTENDS LAND ROVER LEGENDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE 

Kingsley Cars Headquarters

Leading Range Rover engineering and restoration specialist Kingsley Cars is exhibiting at the Land Rover Legends Festival with four special examples that beautifully illustrate its restoration capabilities.

The four classic Range Rovers on display have been carefully chosen to reflect all aspects of Kingsley Cars’ expertise, which extends from concours restorations and bespoke restoration modifications through to the engineering of performance parts and upgrades.

Two examples, however, are set to draw crowds for the event held on the May weekend (25^th and 26^th) at the Bicester Heritage automotive hub in Oxfordshire. The 1977 Suffix D two-door example in Bahama Gold is a total restoration to factory specification, featuring a correct Palomino PVC interior and has graced the lawns of the UK’s most exclusive concours events.

In contrast to the 70s two-door, the other main draw will be the 1994 Overfinch 630R that was subject to extensive restoration and development work by Kingsley Cars and is now a showcase of its performance engineering capabilities. This rare car was one of 12 when new, but it is now truly a unique example that produces a certified 425bhp and enjoys the ultimate ride and handling thanks to the Kingsley Cars Fast Road Suspension upgrades.

Performance upgrade kits developed by Kingsley Cars for classic Range Rovers will also form part of the display. The Fast Road Suspension Kit and Performance Brake Kit (which can also be fitted to Defenders) are designed to transform the handling and braking of Range Rovers without changing the outward appearance of the vehicle, both kits can be purchased online and are simple direct fitment parts in place of OEM components.

A further great example of Kingsley Cars restorations, a 1994 ‘soft dash’ four door SE will be displayed, featuring a hand trimmed interior. A fully stripped and repaired bodyshell in its bare metal state will also be on display.

The Kingsley Cars team will be on site throughout the event to showcase the vehicles on display and to discuss the company’s capabilities with all Range Rover models.

Owner and chairman of Kingsley Cars, Damon Oorloff, said: “Kingsley Cars have been specialists in Range Rovers for more than 25 years, and we are proud to offer a complete service for all Range Rover owners. We offer everything from concours restorations, through to specialist parts and upgrades. We work hard to remain the one-stop shop for all owners of Range Rover vehicles.”

For more information and interviews, please contact Ian Wallace.

ENDS

A CELEBRATION OF LAND ROVERS PAST AND PRESENT

A CELEBRATION OF LAND ROVERS PAST AND PRESENT

Hundreds of Land Rovers of all ages and permutations will converge on atmospheric Bicester Heritage this weekend (May 25/26) when Land Rover Legends pays homage to that most British of marques. From post-War beginnings to present-day technology, the development of the vehicles and the vast number of roles they have played - and continue to play - in private, commercial and military use will be celebrated at this family-friendly event.

The event sets out to showcase the very best examples, from original vehicles to renovated and restored cars, including prototype and pre-production vehicles, production models, rare conversions, military derivatives, bespoke conversions and much more, from the 1948 Series 1 to the very latest models. With camping also available, a trade village, food court and bars, Saturday evening entertainment, and well-behaved dogs on leads welcome, it’s a fabulous weekend of family entertainment at a unique venue. There’s even the chance to take flight in a vintage Tiger Moth aircraft!

Land Rover Legends is an event for all Land Rovers. The world’s leading Land Rover collection, the Dunsfold Collection, is bringing a range of very special vehicles for display and, in addition to the main exhibits and demonstration vehicles, 20 major Land Rover Clubs have booked display space for the event. 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.

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 - and those who fancy getting a bird’s eye view of all the Land Rover action can take to the skies with a Tiger Moth flying lesson experience.

Advance online discount tickets are still available. Saturday and Two-Day tickets come off sale at 10pm on Friday 24th May. Sunday tickets come off sale at 10pm on Saturday 25th May. Camping packages are available in advance only and come off sale on Thursday 23rd May. Adult advance one-day tickets cost £16 each (£20 on the gate) and advance two-day tickets cost £25 each (£30 on the gate). Each adult ticket to the event also includes a free souvenir programme. Children aged 15 and under are admitted for free.

Star cars on stage

Television presenter, self-confessed petrol head and serious Land Rover enthusiast Mark Evans will take to the stage in the main exhibition hangar at Bicester Heritage to celebrate four Star Cars, each representing a very special milestone in the history of Land Rover. The event places great emphasis on authenticity and originality, and Mark will interview the people behind the star cars’ history. In addition, dozens of vehicles will take part in daily parades to celebrate the Land Rover anniversaries.

National award-winners revealed

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. Shortlisted vehicles will be displayed as part of a dedicated indoor exhibition at the Bicester Heritage event where, on Sunday 26 May, a panel of expert judges will select the Winner and Highly Commended entry in each category.

A real family affair - and dogs are invited too!

A love of Land Rovers often seems to run in a family, and Land Rover Legends welcomes all ages of Land Rover fans. There’s plenty to keep younger visitors occupied when they're not making a mental list of the Land Rovers they want to own in the future, with family entertainment including a mobile climbing wall, archery, air rifle shooting and axe throwing. 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.

Make a weekend of it

There is still some availability for on-site camping. Campers shouldn’t miss the Saturday evening entertainment in the Airfield Marquee from Beat N Trak DJ Landrover with period dance routines from Old School Rovers and liquid refreshment from The Wriggly Monkey Brewery, which is based at Bicester Heritage.

For more information or to book tickets please visit: www.landroverlegends.com.

MARK EVANS TO PUT STAR CARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT LAND ROVER LEGENDS

MARK EVANS TO PUT STAR CARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT LAND ROVER LEGENDS

Television presenter, and self-confessed petrol head and serious Land Rover enthusiast Mark Evans will take to the stage at Land Rover Legends on 25 & 26 May to celebrate four Star Cars, each representing a very special milestone in the history of Land Rover.

The former Chief Veterinary Advisor to the RSPCA, BAFTA-winning presenter of ‘Inside Nature’s Giants’ and star of such popular programmes as ‘A 4x4 is born’, ‘A Car is Reborn’ and ‘Inside Jaguar’ will present two sessions per day in the main exhibition hangar at Bicester Heritage, focusing on two Star Cars each time and hosting a discussion with the people behind the cars’ history in a fascinating and personal element of Land Rover Legends.

12.00 Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May: Discovery One & SAS Pink Panther

The launch of the Discovery in 1989 was a masterstroke by Land Rover to meet the challenge from new 4x4 vehicles such as the Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Shogun. Land Rover Legends will celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘the vehicle that saved Land Rover’ through Star Car G457 WAC, owned by Julian Lamb. It is one of only a handful of surviving vehicles from the press launch fleet and was used extensively at the press launch in Plymouth during the late autumn of 1989 and as a test car for a number of magazines.

The 50th anniversary of the entry into service with the SAS of the Series IIa ‘Pink Panther’ will be marked by what is believed to be the largest-ever gathering of these fascinating vehicles, including a Star Car from The Dunsfold Collection. In the late 1960s, 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. They were delivered to the SAS in standard green livery but the SAS had many of them repainted in pink, the perfect colour for camouflage in the desert.

15.00 Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May: Range Rover P38A & Land Rover 100-inch

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. The Star Car appearing at Land Rover Legends is part of The Dunsfold Collection and is the oldest P38A in existence, a rare survivor from among the batch of pre-production vehicles.

In the late-1970s, Land Rover built around 36 100-inch wheelbase prototypes for evaluation by the French - and later the Swiss - military. 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. Land Rover Legends will celebrate the 40th anniversary of these exceptionally rare prototypes with what is expected to be the largest-ever gathering. Part of The Dunsfold Collection, the Star Car is powered by a prototype 2.25 petrol engine with five main bearings. The gearbox is a prototype 5-speed manual. The middle doors are custom-made and shaped to fit around the rear wheel arch.

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.

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. Shortlisted vehicles will be displayed as part of a dedicated indoor exhibition at the Bicester Heritage event where, on Sunday 26 May, 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, 20 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.

Dogs welcome too!

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.

On-site camping and Saturday evening entertainment

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 setting of Bicester Heritage.

For more information or to book tickets please visit www.landroverlegends.com.

MINI ANNIVERSARY GRID SMASHES ALL RECORDS

MINI ANNIVERSARY GRID SMASHES ALL RECORDS

Mini anniversary grid smashes all records

A world record grid of period Minis will celebrate the diminutive icon’s 60th birthday in staggering style at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July). Never before – and maybe never again – will so many Minis be seen racing all together on the track.

Fittingly 60 entries have already been received for what are going to be a pair of incredible races for the Mini Celebration Trophy Presented by Adrian Flux, marking the British legend’s sparkling Diamond Jubilee at the Classic. With a maximum of 58 starters permitted on Silverstone’s full Grand Prix circuit, latecomers are now being placed on a growing reserve list.

To ensure all festival-goers will be able to share in the Mini’s magical milestone, the action is spread across all three days with what is sure to be a frantic qualifying session on Friday ahead of two unmissable 20-minute showdowns on Saturday and Sunday.

As the entire multitude of original pre-1966 Minis are fitted with similar race-prepared 1275cc engines and built to identical technical regulations – the level of competition is going to be feisty throughout the tightly-packed record field. Even more vigorous as the unrivalled gathering also stars a number of top 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.

These are joined by best-selling writer of crime-fiction Peter James and a number of well-known racers from the British Touring Car Championship rank: Jeff Smith, Michael Caine and Patrick Watts as well as 2013 BTCC Champion, Andrew Jordan.

“With 58 minis slipstreaming around Silverstone, these are going to be absolutely mad races!” predicts Jordan who recently gave BMW’s latest 330i M Sport its maiden win in the 2019 BTCC series opener at Brands Hatch. “I’m really looking forward to it – I utterly love historic racing and the Silverstone Classic which is now such a massive event. These Mini races will be one of my highlights of the year.

“We’ve bought a car which we’re rebuilding at the moment, which in itself is really enjoyable. We will have a few tests before the event and then see how we go. While I race historics for fun, of course, I’m going to try to win. Actually, I think we’ve got a very good chance of winning!”

While yet another world record grid is nothing out of the ordinary at the biggest retro racing festival on Earth, Silverstone Classic CEO, Nick Wigley, is understandably thrilled. “Last month we announced a record, full-capacity grid of historic F2 single-seaters and now we have the prospect of this equally incredible line-up of Minis,” he enthused. “Everyone loves the Mini and to see so many of them all racing together bumper-to-bumper on the country’s premier circuit is going to be a staggering sight that no one who’s lucky enough to witness it will ever, ever forget.”

Encouraging all Mini owners and enthusiasts of Sir Alec Issigonis’ game-changing gem to share in the spectacular Diamond Jubilee birthday party at the Classic, the event is offering a unique Mini Celebration Package, which includes an anniversary track parade at lunchtime on Friday. This cost-saving offer provides owners of original pre-2001 models with a pair of adult tickets (for Friday or the full three-day weekend), a vehicle pass giving access to the Mini Celebration display area, plus entry into the Mini Celebration track parade taking place on the full Grand Prix circuit which, over the ages, has hosted so many giant-killing Mini heroics.

Those wishing to join the party can select the Mini Celebration Package from the ticket options available on the official silverstoneclassic.com website but numbers are limited and package bookings are only possible until the end of May.

Whether or not taking advantage of the Celebration Package, all those wishing to attend this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.

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

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website.