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Showing posts with label May. Show all posts
Showing posts with label May. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
A DATE DESERVING POLE POSITION IN YOUR DIARY
Thursday, 30 May 2019
A CELEBRATION WORTHY OF AN ICON LAND ROVER LEGENDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE
A CELEBRATION WORTHY OF AN ICON LAND ROVER LEGENDS AT BICESTER HERITAGE
A fascinating and diverse collection of several hundred Land Rovers amassed at Bicester Heritage last weekend (May 25/26), making the immaculately-preserved former WW2 bomber station the place to be for fans of this iconic marque. Land Rover Legends was a Land Rover event like no other, showcasing 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.
The event broke several records, including that for the largest-ever gathering of the SAS ‘Pink Panthers’ (Land Rovers converted to SAS desert duty specification for MOD special ops missions) and the largest-ever gathering of the ultra-rare 100-inch wheelbase Land Rovers. It also showcased the enormous affection in which the marque is held by people of all ages, with thousands of visitors young and old and from around the globe travelling to Bicester Heritage to immerse themselves in all-things Land Rover. Many arrived in their own Land Rovers, and became part of the show by parking in special dedicated display areas, while many opted to camp on site, with the camping ground forming an impromptu display of the suitability of the marque for al fresco sleeping, with everything from Land Rovers converted into motorhomes to some splendid roof tents perched atop Land Rovers of all ages.
The world’s leading Land Rover collection, the Dunsfold Collection, brought a range of very special vehicles for display and, in addition to the main exhibits and demonstration vehicles, 20 major Land Rover Clubs booked space for the event.
With special anniversary and club displays, daily parades celebrating four key Land Rover anniversaries and even period dancing displays to music provided by - what else? - a Land Rover-based DJ, it really was a festival to remember. This was also the first year in which dogs were allowed to attend the event and, judging by the number of wagging tails, Land Rover ownership and dog ownership often seem to go hand in paw!
National Land Rover Awards
During Land Rover Legends a panel of experts were inspecting the finalists in the National Land Rover Awards, and the results were announced at the show on Sunday afternoon.
Martin Port’s 1959 Series II took the award for Most Original Vehicle. The vehicle has a fascinating history; from 1959-63 it was driven from Cape Town to London and was sign-written along the way, detailing the route taken. Much of the sign-writing survives. Charles Whitaker’s 1989 Discovery Prototype - the only surviving Discovery prototype in private hands - was Highly Commended.
Rupert Baron’s immaculate 1958 Series II won the award for Best Restored Vehicle. Rupert only acquired the vehicle late last year in a farm clearance sale; it had spent its entire 60-year life on the farm and was almost completely original, a quality Rupert has striven to maintain in a careful restoration. James Clough’s 1987 Land Rover 90 V8 - which he has owned from new- was Highly Commended.
The award for Best Bespoke Vehicle went to the glamorous 1981 Range Rover Classic Convertible. Now owned by David Barker it was commissioned by Roger Taylor of Queen at a cost of more than double the list price of the standard model. Adrian Thompson’s splendid 1963 88" Forward Control Fire Appliance, which has served with Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, was Highly Commended.
The show award for Best Club Display (sponsored by Land Rover Monthly magazine) went to the SAS Pink Panther Register, with the Land Rover Series 2 Club Highly Commended. Dedicated Land Rover enthusiast and collector Barry Pocock won the Brian Bashall Memorial Award, in memory of the founder of the Dunsfold Collection, and Sebastien Conté, Pink Panther enthusiast and owner, received the Spirit of the Festival Award. While bringing several Pink Panthers across from France for the event he was first faced with having his trailer impounded by the authorities and then suffered punctures on his car transporter. However, in true Land Rover (and SAS!) spirit he didn’t give up, and he - and the Pink Panthers - made it to the event.
Land Rover Legends also brought the people behind the vehicles to Bicester Heritage, with on-stage discussions led by TV presenter, self-confessed petrol head and serious Land Rover enthusiast Mark Evans in the magnificent main exhibition hangar at Bicester Heritage. Each discussion focussed on one of four star cars, each representing a very special milestone in the history of Land Rover.
To discuss the 50th anniversary of the entry into service with the SAS of the Series IIa ‘Pink Panther’, Roger Jones MBE, who spent much of his Army career with the vehicles and is now Curator (Vehicles) at the REME Corps Museum, and Alan Bucknell (Land Rover researcher and enthusiast) were brought to the stage. George Thomson, David Evans and Michael Jones (all ex-Land Rover Design Studio, and involved with the creation of the P38A Range Rover and the first Discovery), Bob Allsopp (retired engineer who worked on the P38A) and Discovery and P38A enthusiast and preservationist Julian Lamb came on stage for discussions centred around the 25th anniversary of the P38A and the 30th anniversary of the Discovery. And Arnold Biber, who was involved in the evaluation trials of the 100-inch Land Rover by the Swiss military in the 1970s came from Switzerland to attend the show, and appeared on stage to discuss the 40thanniversary of the 100-inch prototypes with Paul Butterworth (recently retired from Land Rover) and Emrys Kirby (writer and journalist, dedicated Land Rover fan, and expert on the history of the 100-inch).
For more information please visit: www.landroverlegends.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2019
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 (25th and 26th) 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
Tuesday, 21 May 2019
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.
Wednesday, 15 May 2019
THE WORLD’S FIRST EVER PETROLICIOUS DRIVERS’ MEETING TAKES PLACE AT BICESTER HERITAGE TO GREAT SUCCESS
THE WORLD’S FIRST EVER PETROLICIOUS DRIVERS’ MEETING TAKES PLACE AT BICESTER HERITAGE TO GREAT SUCCESS
Photography credit: White Wall Media / Petrolicious
Video Edit By Stumpy Media @ Classic Chatter
More than 4000 visitors attended the first ever Petrolicious Drivers’ Meeting from the renowned Petrolicious website at Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire, on Sunday May 12.
The now-ubiquitous Petrolicious #DriveTastefully motto was made real by the new event, which saw over curated 200 cars placed artfully around the restored former RAF buildings of the Bicester Heritage Technical Site and outside the huge events hangar.
Inside the hangar, the Petrolicious Drivers’ Meeting broke new ground for a Bicester Heritage car show by kitting out the 50,000 sq ft space with motoring artists’ area, trade stands and a cinema showcasing Petrolicious films. Next to the screen were the cars that starred in the films being shown – including a Ferrari Daytona, ‘The Rusty 911’ Porsche, a Golf GTI Mk2, NSU Ro80, Mercedes-Benz 280SE, Lancia Delta Integrale and Bentley 4 ½ Litre.
Sponsors Jaguar Landrover SVO, Morgan and Aston Martin Works all had stands in the hangar showing new cars and old, while Bremont used the event to launch its new Jaguar Dtypewatch, complete with not one but two Dtypes on display, as well as a Jaguar Project 7.
In the paddock area outside the hangar, it was impossible to miss the restored black and redliveried Ford truck that served as Frank Williams’ first ever purpose-built race transporter. Alongside were two historic F1 cars – the 1979 FW07 and 1987 FW11B – from Williams Heritage. The display marked the 50th anniversary of Frank Williams’s first Formula 1 race.
Elsewhere in the paddock were special displays from:
- The Slowly Sideways rally group, showcasing Group B and other rally cars of the 1980s-onwards
- The Endurance Racing Legends group, with Le Mans and endurance race cars of the 1990s and 2000s, including Aston Martin DBR9, Jaguar XJR15 and TVR T400R
- The Singer Design and Lightweighting Study (DLS) 911 test mule, delivered by racer and Singer development driver Marino Franchitti
- A genuine Brumos team Porsche 911 RSR
- Multi-million pound Ferrari display that included F40, Daytona, 330GT, 275 GTB and blogger Mr JWW’s F12 TDF
- XJ220 and Project 8 from sponsors Jaguar Land Rover SVO
On the tree-lined avenues and amongst the evocative Grade 2 listed buildings of the Bicester Heritage site, some of the highlights included:
- Four ex-Works Subaru rally cars, including ex-Colin McRae and Kenneth Eriksson Imprezas
- Genuine Alan Mann Lotus Cortina Mk1 and Autodelta Alfa Romeo GTA, reunited 53 years after they last raced together
- Aston Martin DBR4 with Land Rover Series 2 tow vehicle
- Three hot rods, including a replica of the Two-Lane Blacktop movie ’55 Chevy
- Zagato centenary display with Zagato versions of Lancias, Alfas, the latest Aston Martin Zagato from sponsor Aston Martin Works and a Porsche 356 Zagato owned by Coldplay’s Guy Berryman
- ‘Alfa Romeo Avenue’ with Alfas from the 1960s through to an 8C Competizione supercar
- Four homologation-derived road cars: Ford RS200, Audi Quattro, Renault 5 Turbo 1 and Porsche 924 Carrera GT
- The rarelyseen 1966 Vauxhall XVR concept car from the Vauxhall Heritage Centre
- Cars from TV’s Wheeler Dealers presenters, Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead – Mike’s restored MGA, the Dowsetts Comet built by Ant’s company, and an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato recreation built by Ant and owned by
- Plus 4 Works 110 and new Aero GT from sponsors Morgan Motor Company
- Rare Aston Martins including one of only 15 2Litre Sports ‘DB1’ models built and a stunning black One-77
Visitors were also able to book in professional photoshoots on their cars with Petrolicious photographers, in the Footman James Photographic Studio in a quiet but evocative corner of the Technical Site. Every single studio slot was taken, with cars as diverse as Alfa Romeo 1750GTV, Cobra 289, BMW i8 and Fiat Dino photographed there.
Adding to the mix, many of the specialists based at Bicester Heritage opened their doors to the visitors. These included specialist car dealers Pendine, Robert Glover and Legends Automotive, prewar Riley and MG specialists Blue Diamond Services, Bentley specialists Kingsbury Racing, Classic Oils and training course provider Heritage Skills Academy.
Even the car park was stunning, with visitors in classic and interesting modern cars directed to the ‘#DriveTastefully’ parking area, resulting in a fascinating show of its own, with everything from lowriders to a roadlegal Group C Jaguar race car.
More Petrolicious Drivers’ Meetings will be announced in the near future. Photography credit: White Wall Media / Petrolicious
Tuesday, 14 May 2019
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.
Thursday, 9 May 2019
AN ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND OF WORLD-CLASS HISTORIC RACING
AN ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND OF WORLD-CLASS HISTORIC RACING
GT & Sports Car Cup DHF 2019
The ninth Donington Historic Festival delivered hugely-competitive racing from more than 400 historic cars spanning nine decades and ranging from Grand Prix machines and Le Mans prototypes to Touring Cars over the weekend of May 3, 4 and 5.
The calibre of the racing grids, the lure of the Donington Park circuit and the sheer fun of historic motorsport drew top-class drivers past and present, including no less than one-sixth of the present-day BTCC grid that had been out at the same track only the previous weekend. BTCC stars Colin Turkington, Andrew Jordan, Rory Butcher, Sam Tordoff and Adam Morgan all got behind the wheel of classic Touring Cars or sports cars and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, racing with the same competitive spirit they show in their ‘day job’. Other present-day racers competing at the Festival included LMP star Richard Bradley, multi Formula Ford champion/British GT driver Niall Murray and British GT racer Shaun Balfe.
Names from race programmes of the past were also out on track including 80s and 90s Touring Car aces Patrick Watts and Karl Jones, while 1970s F1 racer Howden Ganley was there in his capacity as World Patron of the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association, presenting the trophies for the FJHRA races.
The cars competing were equally illustrious. They included ERA ‘R4A’, which scored a double victory in the Nuvolari Trophy races, some 84 years after Pat Fairfield drove it to victory in the 150-mile 1935 Nuffield Trophy at Donington Park. The Nuvolari Trophy grid also featured an MG K3 Magnette raced in period by Prince Bira of Thailand, while the Jaguar Classic Challenge included a semi-lightweight E-type originally raced by Bruce McLaren.
While torrential rain ensured that only the most die-hard racing fans came to Donington Park for the Friday qualifying day, those that did brave the elements were rewarded by a spectacular show on track, as all 15 grids qualified in the wet. An added bonus for Festival visitors was the sight of the historic F1 car demonstration on a very soggy circuit, spraying water and looking for all the world like a scene from that famous Senna race of 1993.
Saturday morning dawned with blue skies and sunshine and brought the crowds with it. The track action over Saturday and Sunday didn’t disappoint, with hard-fought, massively entertaining racing played out across 17 races covering an impressively diverse range of grids all united by the quality and history of the cars and the skill and enthusiasm of the drivers.
Victory in both Historic Grand Prix Cars Association Ascari Trophy races went to Miles Griffiths in a Lotus 16, while Nick Topliss drove ERA ‘R4A’ to victory in the Nuvolari Trophy races. The driver pairing of Calum Lockie and Julian Thomas proved hugely successful, with the duo taking the chequered flag in the Jaguar Classic Challenge in an E-type and in the Historic Touring Car Challenge in a Ford Cosworth Sierra RS 500, and bringing their Ford Falcon home in second place in the HRDC Allstars race, behind Leo Voyazides and Simon Hadfield in the Shelby Cobra Coupe.
In the U2TC for under two-litre Touring Cars, the Banks brothers Andrew and Max were runaway winners in their beloved Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, while Frederic Wakeman and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards continued their dominance of the ‘Mad Jack’ Pre-War Sports Cars in the 1928 Frazer Nash Super Sports. The Wakeman/Blakeney-Edwards duo also won the epic two-hour GT & Sports Car Cup in the Lister Jaguar Coupe and there was a Lister victory in the Stirling Moss Trophy when Richard Kent took the chequered flag in the Lister Jaguar Costin.
Former British GT champion Mike Jordan started the HRDC Touring Greats race on pole in the Austin ‘GT40’ he shared with son Andrew, and Andrew took the car to victory after the pitstop. Reflecting on a happier Donington Park weekend after his accident in the BTCC there a week before, Andrew commented “I haven’t had that much fun in a race car for a while. I had an absolute blast.”
The Pre-63 GT race was won by GT driver Jon Minshaw and his son Jack in an E-type Jaguar, the pair sharing a race car for the first time, and there was a father-and-son victory in the Tony Dron Trophy when Oliver Bryant and dad Grahame brought their mighty Chevrolet Camaro home in first place. The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy was another family affair, with brothers John and Gary Pearson taking the chequered flag in their D-type Jaguar.
Peter de la Roche dominated both of the FJHRA/HSCC ‘Silverline’ front-engined Formula Junior races in his Lola Mk 2, in spite of a gearbox problem in Friday’s qualifying which meant a drive to Chester that night to manufacture a replacement component, while Cameron Jackson was equally successful in the two rear-engined Formula Junior races in his Brabham BT2. And the Swiss duo of Ambrogio Perfetti and Oscar Rovelli campaigned their Lotus Cortina with tremendous enthusiasm in several races during the weekend and were absolutely delighted to take victory in the final race of the Festival, the HRDC Coys Trophy.
The non-racing attractions were equally entertaining. The historic F1 demo cars, including an Ex-Michael Schumacher Benetton B192 thrilled the crowds with their inimitable noise, while the sight of a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire in the skies above Donington Park on the Sunday had all eyes turned upwards for a few glorious minutes. Donington’s Launch Pad building became the temporary home of the British Historic Kart Club, who brought along a fantastic selection of nippy machines including two ex-Senna karts.
The Infield and the GP Loop were invaded by hundreds of cars from dozens of car clubs, many of whom took to the track in lunchtime parades. The most notable club parade element came on the Saturday in the form of 50 ‘Z’ cars from the Z Club GB/Classic Z Register, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Datsun 240Z. They were led by the most famous ‘Z’ car of all, racing star Big Sam, which was followed by no less than 15 other Samuris and a fabulous mix of Datsun and Nissan ‘Z’ cars from the past 50 years.
Paired with more improvements to the Donington infrastructure over the winter months, including a big new spectator entry area and a more immersive paddock layout, this year's Donington Historic Festival was even more accessible for all spectators, many of whom are already planning their return for the 2020 event.
TV PRESENTER AND MOTORING INVENTOR EDD CHINA TO LAUNCH MEMOIR AT BEAULIEU’S SPRING AUTOJUMBLE
TV PRESENTER AND MOTORING INVENTOR EDD CHINA TO LAUNCH MEMOIR AT BEAULIEU’S SPRING AUTOJUMBLE
Former TV Wheeler Dealers mechanic Edd China will meet Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumbleshow-goers on May 18th to launch and sign copies of his new book Grease Junkie - A book of moving parts which tells his life story.
Beaulieu visitors can meet the presenter and wacky motoring inventor from 2-5pm on the stand of event media sponsor Practical Classics and chat to him about his remarkable career and off-the-wall projects. Edd’s incredible motorised shed, road-legal bathroom suite and a taxed and MoT’d double bed were recently stars of Beaulieu’s Wacky Record Breakers exhibition.
The unmissable features of the silver-themed 25th Spring Autojumble continue with a start-up of the newly restored Costin-Nathan racing car prototype at 3pm the same day. At the wheel will be its original creator and racing driver Roger Nathan.
The hand-built racer, which became a David which slayed Goliath on the competition track half a century ago, was the brainchild of Nathan and automotive engineer Frank Costin. Nathan beat the big race teams by winning the 1966 Coupes de Paris race at the Montlhéry circuit in the unique car. After being sold, the Costin-Nathan was later rediscovered in 2016 and bought at auction by its new American owner, who commissioned Nathan to restore it. After the unveiling, the new exhibit will go on display in the National Motor Museum.
Spring Autojumble will continue across the weekend of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19thwhen bargain hunters can scour 1,000+ stands packed with classic car parts, motoring literature and automobilia bargains – and even perhaps find a dream car amongst the range of classics for sale in Automart and Dealermart.
More features include the Mini 60 display, which will put one of Britain’s greatest classics in the spotlight with a timeline of every major milestone in the classic Mini’s lifespan from 1959 to 2000. The Mini Cooper Register display will bring together a wide range of Minis, with more than 40 rare and remarkable examples already confirmed to join the display including an ex-BMC Works rally Mini, Mini Cooper police car, Minivans and pick-ups, an Italian-built Innocenti Mini Cooper and the luxurious Radford Mini used in the 1966 BBC TV series Adam Adamant Lives!
Event sponsor Practical Classics will join the Mini celebration by bringing its own project car, a 1968 Austin Mini estate that has been off the road for more than 40 years. See this tiny time-warp and chat with the team about their latest project.
Another automotive star of the Practical Classics stand will be the 1959 Standard Ten Gold Star that was saved from certain destruction in Ford’s scrappage scheme. This low-mileage family saloon, known as Bluebell, captured the hearts of thousands of classic car enthusiasts who joined a campaign to overturn its destruction order. Newly returned to the road and making its Beaulieu debut at the show, the Standard will stay on display in the National Motor Museum throughout the summer.
The Dorset branch of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club will return to the show with its popular display MoggyFest, while the Morgan Sports Car Club and Wessex Car Club will both showcase an impressive selection of members’ vehicles.
On Sunday, enthusiasts for another British legend can enjoy Beaulieu’s Land Rover Rummage as everything Land Rover-related is bought, bartered, swapped and sold in a section of the show dedicated to Britain’s favourite 4x4.
Also on Sunday is popular Trunk Traders, a treasure trove for surplus spares, tools, books and automobilia.
One-day and two-day Spring Autojumble tickets can be bought in advance online, with a final chance for discounted online tickets until 5pm on Thursday 9th May. For tickets and full details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/spring-autojumble or call 01590 612888.
Event tickets include entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum with its new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 Years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens.
Exhibitors and Trunk Traders can book their stand online at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/spring-autojumble/exhibitors or contact the Beaulieu Events team at events@beaulieu.co.uk or on 01590 614614.
25th Beaulieu Spring Autojumble Fact File
- The first Spring Autojumble in May 1994 featured 600 stands, which has almost doubled today.
- Extreme weather conditions meant the show was once cancelled in 2001, making 2019 not only the 25th anniversary but also the 25th
- Since the first year, club car displays and the Automart – offering classic cars for sale – have been a key part of Spring Autojumble.
- In 1994, special features included a display by motoring artists and a classic concours competition.
- The show has changed names several times over the years from the initial Beaulieu Spring Classic Autojumble, to Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, Beaulieu Spring Motormart & Autojumble, Beaulieu Motormart Autojumble, then back to Beaulieu Spring Autojumble!
- Trunk Traders and Dealermart were popular new features added to the event in 2006.
- In 1997 the National Motor Museum had its own garage sale at the show, selling off surplus automobilia, vintage tools and period garage items left over from the creation of Jack Tucker’s Garage display in the museum.
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