RECORD PARTICIPANTS FOR BEAULIEU’S SECOND SIMPLY AUDI

RECORD PARTICIPANTS FOR BEAULIEU’S SECOND SIMPLY AUDI

People's Choice Award-winning Audi TT RS of Kerrin Martinez

A record 982 rally participants made Beaulieu’s second Simply Audi the busiest yet – with a 25% increase over last year’s total of 784 – for the vibrant Easter Sunday rally.

A highlight of the bank holiday weekend for motoring fans, as many as 472 Audis parked up in the grounds of the National Motor Museum with cars ranging from the latest showroom models back to 1980s classics. Impressive R8 supercars and sporty TTs were joined by examples of the performance-tuned S2, S3, RS3 and RS4, with something to please every fan of the ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy.

Past glories of the Audi marque were also on show with several examples of the 1980s Audi Coupes, while club displays included the Audi ‘80’ Cab/Coupe enthusiasts with a line-up of the much-loved modern classics from the 1980s and ’90s.

Taking the coveted event’s People’s Choice Award was Kerrin Martinez, from Taunton, with his Audi TT RS. Kerrin said: “I’ve owned it for 13 months and have done almost everything on it, except the tuning remap, while my brother did the vinyl wrap. I love it because it’s so fast and really enjoyable to drive.” Kerrin was presented with a commemorative Beaulieu trophy, Autoglym car care pack and Easter egg by Beaulieu’s Visitor Services Manager Jon Tee.

Also presented with Autoglym prizes and Easter treats were runners-up Chris Smith, from Ringwood, with his Audi RS6, and Darren O’Neil, from Portsmouth, with his Audi Quattro rally car. Chris has owned his sleek Audi RS6 for just three weeks but has already modified it with different wheels, tinted glass, air suspension, exhaust and intake manifolds. He said: “I love its presence and the fact that it’s a family car with 650bhp.” By contrast, Darren has owned his 1982 Audi Quattro rally car for 17 years and during that time has transformed it from a road car to a stunning works replica.

Simply Audi was the second of Beaulieu’s ten Simply rallies for 2019. Coming next is Simply Ford on May 5th, followed by Simply Porsche on June 2nd, Simply VW on June 15th, Simply Land Rover & Rummage on June 23rd, Simply Jaguar on July 14th, Simply Japanese July 28th, with the first Simply Mercedes on August 18th and Simply Smart on November 10th. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, on Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or on Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation.

DAILY CAVALCADE AND BONNETS GALORE FOR EASTER AT BEAULIEU

DAILY CAVALCADE AND BONNETS GALORE FOR EASTER AT BEAULIEU

April 6th - Easter Monday, April 22nd

There are Bonnets Galore for Easter at Beaulieu when the attraction comes to life with amazing motors being brought out of the National Motor Museum and driven in daily cavalcades around the grounds of the attraction from April 6th to Easter Monday, April 22nd.

Inside the museum, bonnets will also be lifted to reveal the engineering excellence of legendary Land Speed Record-breaking Blue Bird - the 1920 Sunbeam 350hp, as well as the 1899 Renault, 1924 Bugatti Type 35, 1948 Land Rover prototype, 1950 RT London Bus and 1959 Austin Mini which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Out on the arena, watch historic motors in the daily cavalcade with a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang reconstruction and vehicles spanning motoring history from the Victorian penny farthing to the classic 1963 Ford Cortina. Look out for the yellow AA motorcycle and sidecar, 1904 De Dion Bouton, 1927 Austin 12/4, 1938 Morris Eight and wartime 1943 Willys Jeep.*

For bonnets of a different kind, visit Palace House where you will find Easter bonnets and Victorian costumes to try on for a selfie opportunity. Roll up your sleeves in the Victorian Kitchen and help Lord Montagu’s cook roll out Easter biscuits, talk to costumed guides about life in the 19th century and join in with Easter craft activities. Younger visitors can also have their face painted with Easter designs.

Fill in our new travel log to create memories from your visit and complete the fun activities, fascinating questions and drawings, then collect stamps at each part of the attraction. Keep an eye out for Beaulieu’s Bonnets cards to learn more about the iconic vehicles you will discover on your day out.

Over Easter weekend (Good Friday, April 18th - Easter Monday, April 22nd) see the larger-than-life Easter bunny as it hops through the gardens in the grounds of the attraction. Why not take a picture to add to your travel log?

All Easter activities are included in the general admission ticket to Beaulieu, which includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey with its Abbot’s Mews falconry exhibition and the spring-time grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

* Historic cars in the daily cavalcades may be subject to change each day.

GET READY FOR MINI MADNESS AT MOTORFEST AS EASTER MOTOR SHOW HEADS TO CHETWYND DEER PARK

GET READY FOR MINI MADNESS AT MOTORFEST AS
EASTER MOTOR SHOW HEADS TO CHETWYND DEER PARK

There’s plenty to celebrate at this year’s Motorfest with a new home at the stunning Chetwynd Deer Park, Shropshire, two days of family fun on Easter Sunday 21 and Easter Monday 22 April, and the milestone of a British icon as the show marks the 60^th birthday of the Mini.

Visitors to this beautiful location can expect up to 1,000 classic vehicles spanning from the 1930s to the 1990s, so they will be guaranteed something for every taste. Alongside the impressive array of British family favourites from the likes of Ford, Hillman, and Wolseley there are American muscle cars and sporting classics from Porsche and TVR. There really is something for everyone, and the enticing selection of classic commercial vehicles, custom, and kit cars are the icing on the cake.

This year is even more special as Motorfest will be celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the legendary Mini. Owners of classic and modern Minis are being encouraged to display their cars with the offer of a free place if they book tickets for Easter Monday using code 60MINIMON.

Guaranteed to be a wonderful celebration of Alec Issigonis’s brilliant small car, the show’s organisers already have some great examples lined up, from an early 1964 Mini that is sure to draw a crowd to a 1968 Mini Cooper. But later models feature too including a 1991 Mini Studio 2, a special edition that boasted unique trim and badges.

Event director Stephen Smith said: “You can’t let the birthday of such a British icon go past unmarked and with so much more space available to us at Chetwynd Deer Park than in previous years, we can’t wait to get the party started!”

Along with the terrific vehicles on display at Motorfest, sponsored by ClassicLine, visitors will also be able to chat to more than thirty local classic car clubs, as well as enjoying browsing an array of trade stands and the autojumble. Anyone looking for that hard-to-find part for their own car might just discover it here.

And there is plenty more of course. Alongside the live arena that will see action take place across both days, there is the Pride of Ownership display as well as the ‘Decibel Duel’ where judges will be looking for the loudest car at the show. And at 4pm on Monday the winner of the concours competition will be announced.

But it’s not just about classic cars as there will be something to entertain the whole family including live music from The Quik Beats on Sunday and The Del Ray Rockers on Monday.

Plus, there’s an Easter Egg hunt, free face painting, children’s disco and an appearance from Elsa from Disney’s Frozen each day to keep the smaller visitors happy.

Gates open at 10am until 4pm. Admission starts from £6.40 for adults, £3.20 for children (4-16 years), with a family ticket (2 adults & 3 children) for £16 when booked in advance. Tickets also available on the gate. Free parking for all visitors. For more information, visit www.classicmotorshows.co.uk