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.

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CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW RETURNS TO CATTON HALL FOR MAY BANK HOLIDAY MOTORING CELEBRATION

CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW RETURNS TO CATTON HALL FOR MAY BANK HOLIDAY MOTORING CELEBRATION

The popular Classic Motor Show will return to Alrewas’ Catton Hall on Sunday 5^th May with up to 700 vehicles on two and four wheels for enthusiasts to enjoy including pre and post war vehicles, American cars, classic motorcycles and modified motors.

Gemini Events Director Stephen Smith said: “The stunning grounds of Catton Hall create a fantastic backdrop to our annual Classic Motor Show. To see hundreds of classics all lined-up alongside the River Trent in front of Catton Hall is amazing and we can’t wait for the May Bank Holiday to arrive.”

The Classic Motor Show, sponsored by ClassicLine, will welcome 30 motoring clubs with a fantastic mix of marques from the Alfa Romeo Owners Club to Your Ford. Local groups represented including the BMW Car Club Shropshire and Mid-Wales, Derby & District MG Owners Club, Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club North Staffs, Midland Retro Car Club, and the North Staffs RS Owners.

Three clubs represent the Potteries with the Capri & Classic Ford Club, Potteries MMOC, and Potteries Vintage Classic Car Club. They’re joined by the M6 Junction 16 Motoring Club, Stoke on Trent Classic Car Club and West Midlands Mitsubishi 4x4 to name a few.

Private entries range from John Heath’s 1926 Austin Clifton to Colin Bailey’s 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport. All decades in between are represented with a fantastic mix of marques including David Cowley’s 1993 Renault Alpine GTA Turbo, David Cook’s 1987 Sierra Cosworth 500, Gregory Styles’ 1974 Saab 96V4, and Paul Fawlk’s 1966 Pontiac Bonneville.

The Live Arena will include car parades, including Tamworth Tired Tractors, and family games as well as the popular ‘Decibel Duel’, a competition to find the loudest engine. There will also be Daily Driver and Pride of Ownership competitions, with the overall winner receiving a year’s free car insurance from ClassicLine. The annual Concours also culminates in the ‘Best in Show’ award at 4pm.

The Motor Museum in Miniature returns with its unique display of model cars in its own museum layout along with trader and autojumble stands for all those after a May Day Bank Holiday bargain. There’s also free face painting for the children attending as well as vintage rides and entertainment.

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.