Beaulieu is pleased to announce that the 2012 dates for its popular Custom event will be 16^th & 17^th June. One of the newer events on the Beaulieu calendar, it  has in four years, rapidly expanded to a colourful gathering of over 600 vehicles on the Sunday Drive-In day.

For 2012 the event is expanding under a new name, Custom & Hot Rod Festival, to include a custom motorcycle element as well as custom cars.  Beaulieu is delighted to announce that the Custom Motorcycle Show, held for the first time in Bournemouth earlier this year, will be moving permanently to Beaulieu to join the event. Hundreds of world class custom motorcycles will be on show including over 70 bikes entering the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. There will also be hundreds of trade stands including custom bike dealers, custom accessories and hard parts, plus the Vendors and Merchandise Village and a Ride-In on both days of the show.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director, Stephen Munn said “All the popular elements of the previous custom shows will remain, including weekend camping with evening entertainment, a Saturday Ride-out, trade stands and the Ride-In for custom vehicles owners.  With the new additions to the show, we can promise a great weekend at Beaulieu for custom car and bike enthusiasts alike.”

Since the events inception by Beaulieu, custom car club Victory Wheelers has helped to jointly organise the weekend with the venue, with both organisations agreeing that the weekend element of the custom car show would be portrayed under the Victory Wheelers South Coast Internationals banner, although the event was entirely Beaulieu funded. The whole show has been a very successful collaboration between the two organisations.

Unfortunately, due to Beaulieu’s wish to expand the show to include the custom bike element, and the Wheelers preference to associate the South Coast international brand with a custom car only event, the organisations have agreed to part company amicably after this year’s event.

Stephen Munn said: “We have enjoyed working with Victory Wheelers over the past three years; and thank them for the help they have given us in shaping the event thus far. We wish them well for the future of South Coast Internationals.”

In response, Keith Ellis, current Chairman of the Victory Wheeler’s Club stated:

” Unfortunately, due to Beaulieu’s wish to expand the show to include the custom bike element and the Wheelers preference to associate the South Coast Internationals brand with a primarily hot-rod and custom car event, the organisations have agreed to part company amicably.’’

Following a successful inaugural Custom Motorcycle Show, held in Bournemouth earlier this year, Ocean Events is delighted to announce that from 2012, the show will be held annually at Beaulieu, home of the world famous National Motor Museum, in the heart of the New Forest.

The 2012 show will be held in the Beaulieu parkland on the 16^th and 17^th June, when visitors will not only be able to enjoy The Custom Motorcycle Show, but also the established annual Hot Rod & Custom Car Festival plus all the other attractions that Beaulieu has to offer.

Hundreds of world class custom motorcycles will also be on show, with over 70 bikes entering the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building (as part of the UK Affiliate rounds).  There will be several categories for the bike builders including Freestyle, Modified Harley, Period Chopper, Daily Rider and Streetfighter/Performance Custom.

There will be hundreds of exhibitors including custom bike dealers, custom accessories and hard parts, plus the Vendors and Merchandise Village.

From 9.30am on both days of the show, there will be a Ride-In, with all riders of custom motorcycles invited into the event to show off their bikes.

Lorne Cheetham, director of Ocean Events said: “Beaulieu is a perfect venue for our event.  With all the custom bikes, cafe racers and streetfighters sharing the magnificent showgrounds with hot rods and custom cars, the whole weekend is going to be one fantastic festival of motoring modification and customisation!

“We are delighted to be working with Beaulieu on this show and hope to make the whole event the biggest of its kind in the UK.”

For further information visit www.thecustomshow.com or www.beaulieuevents.co.uk

London’s biggest show on wheels is almost here. On Sunday 4 September, the Royal Hospital in Chelsea will host Chelsea AutoLegends, a showcase of automotive excellence that promises displays of some of the most desirable, rare, exciting and historically important cars ever made.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2011 edition of Chelsea AutoLegends has even more to see and do. There are special displays devoted to the iconic Jaguar E-type and Mini Cooper – both celebrating their 50^th birthday this year – plus a central display of Le Mans racers and cavalcades of supercars and classic bikes.

There will be classic cars owned by members of the public on display, while a host of motor sport personalities will visit the show during the day. There’s plenty for the family, too, with fairground rides, simulators and a couple of famous cars with film star class.

And visitors who really want to soak up the atmosphere are encouraged to dig out their kaftans, bell-bottoms, beads and bells and join in with the Swinging Sixties theme, remembering the days when Chelsea’s groovy Kings Road was the hub of global fashion, design and pop music.

Chelsea AutoLegends is held in the grounds of the imposing Royal Hospital in Chelsea, and helps to raise funds for the resident Chelsea Pensioners. Gates open at 10am on Sunday and close at 4pm.

Among the highlights are:

Le Mans: A mouth-watering selection of racing cars that have competed at the most famous race in the world, the Le Mans 24 Hours. The display will chart the history of the event from the Bentleys of the 1920s, through the Jaguar D-types and scarlet Ferraris of the fifties and sixties right up the modern era with high tech prototypes from current pacesetters Aston Martin, Aston Martin and Peugeot.

Jaguar E-type: It might be 50 years old, but the E-type still turns heads… but then no less an authority than Enzo Ferrari once called it the most beautiful car in the world. Some of the world’s most important E-types will be at Chelsea AutoLegends, including I VHP, chassis number 1; ECD 400, the first E-type race winner; and 848 CRY, the E-type that featured in The Italian Job movie.

Supercars: New for 2011 is the PistonHeads Supercar Run in association with The Sunday Times. Some of the world’s rarest and most exotic cars will be joining the show after a Sunday morning run through London. McLarens and Moslers will join Lamborghinis and Ferraris, Koenigseggs, Aston Martins and Porsches in a cavalcade leaving the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall after breakfast and arriving at the show at around midday.

Classic bikes: Bikes and bikers of all shapes and sizes will also be arriving at the show during the morning after a ride from the famous Ace Café on the North Circular. Reflecting military links with the Royal Hospital, the cavalcade will be led by the Royal British Legion Riders Branch and will park up in a dedicated display area of the show. Eight times World Champion Phil Read MBE will be one of the many motor sport stars at the show, too.

The best of the best: That claim is made by Autocar which, earlier this year, celebrated the publication of its 5,000^th road test with a poll of the most important tests in the magazine’s long history. The top ten cars will be on display, headed by the 3.8-litre E-type Jaguar fhc registered 9600 HP… the very car the magazine tested 50 years ago.

Invicta: Rare supercar from the 1930, the last examples of the Invicta marque were built in Flood Street, not far from the show. In its day, the Invicta was technically advanced, fast and reliable and considered a genuine rival to Bentley. Among the examples on show will be the car that won the 1931 Monte Carlo Rally in the hands of Donald Healey.

Rally cars: Monsters from the Group B era will also be on display. Rally winning cars like the Audi Sport Quattro and Lancia Delta S4 and 037 will be there along with the mind-blowing Metro 6R4 plus other genuine ex-works cars like the Toyota Celica Turbo and the more recent Ford Focus WRC.

The Patrons: Back in the fifties and sixties, British privateer teams – known as the Patrons – took on the might of the works teams… and often won. A special tribute to Rob Walker, Colonel Ronnie Hoare, Tommy Sopwith and John Coombs will include cars they made famous, such as the 1961 TT-winning Ferrari 250 GT SWB driven by Stirling Moss. A fund-raising dinner will be held in the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital on the eve of the event in aid of the Chelsea Pensioners, attended by Sir Stirling and others with strong historic and family connections.

Mini Cooper: It’s not just the E-type that’s celebrating a 50^th birthday this year. The Mini Cooper often humbled much bigger machines on track and rally stage, and among the giant killers on display will be two ‘Monte Carlo’ Minis celebrating the ‘Little Brick’s’ dominance on the event in the 1960s. Monte winner Paddy Hopkirk is another of the motor sport legends who has confirmed his presence.

Track stars: The glory days of 1970s touring car racing will be remembered with a display of Group 1 and Group 2 racers from BMW, Ford and Alfa Romeo, including a 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’, a ‘Cologne’ Capri and an Alfa GTam. There’ll also be famous machines from two great British teams of the fifties and sixties: cars (and the renowned transporter) wearing the metallic blue of Ecurie Ecosse and a host of Fords wearing the red and gold of Alan Mann Racing.

Personalities: It’s not all hardware at the show. Some of motor sport’s great names will be on hand to share memories, including event patron Sir Stirling Moss, plus bike legend Phil Read, rallying heroes Paddy Hopkirk and Russell Brooks and Le Mans winner Richard Attwood. TV chef James Martin was one of the many familiar faces seen at last year’s show and he’s returning. Expect some more faces from the world of TV, music and film, too.

Entertainment: Chelsea AutoLegends is a show for the entire family and not just the petrolheads. The organisers have laid on fairground rides and an F1 simulator, plus there’ll be two cars from the world of film – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Pink Panther car. A wide selection of trade stands will be offering everything from Cuban cigars and classic travel to the very latest supercar, while pampering is available for those seeking relaxation. Adding to activities there will be a silent auction raising further funds for the Royal Hospital. There also are food stalls and bars, and plenty of space for visitors to bring their own picnics.

Showground cars: And there’s more. There’ll be classic cars and bikes wherever you look. More than 200 members of the public are bringing along their pride and joy for all to enjoy. Expect Bristols to rub shoulders with BMWs, Ferraris to share turf with Fords, and MGs to mingle with Maseratis. Cars will run from exotics like a 1955 Gullwing Mercedes via rarities like a Swallow Doretti to a humble ‘Only Fools and Horses’ Reliant Regal Supervan.

“Last year’s inaugural Chelsea AutoLegends was a huge success but we have pulled out all the stops to make the 2011 show even better. There’s more to see and more to do with even more cars on show,” said Chelsea AutoLegends chairman, Eric Verdon-Roe.

And the last word should go to one of the greatest names from motorsport, 16-times Grand Prix winner, event patron and long-time Londoner, Sir Stirling Moss. “London is the centre of the world, a place with a real pulse. It is entirely fitting that somewhere as great as our capital has a show as dynamic as Chelsea AutoLegends,” he said.

Event timetable

10:00 Show opens

11:00 Sir Stirling Moss OBE on the Autoglym Central Stage

11:30 Arrival of bike cavalcade from Ace Café

12:00 Arrival of Pistonheads Supercar Run in association with Sunday Times

13:00 Phil Read MBE on the Autoglym Central Stage

14:00 Paddy Hopkirk on the Autoglym Central Stage

16:00 Show closes

Tickets: Discounted advance tickets are still available via the event’s new website (www.ChelseaAutoLegends.com) or from the ticket hotline on 0844 581 0760. Advanced adult tickets are £15 (£20 on the gate) and £10 (£20 on the gate) for 12-16 year-olds. Underlining the event’s family entertainment values, accompanied children aged under 12 will be admitted free of charge.

He might have retired (at the age of 81, no less!) from competitive motor racing, but Sir Stirling Moss OBE is still living life in the fast lane.

And one of the motor racing legend’s first public appearances since hanging up his famous ‘Herbert Johnson’ – his white, open-faced crash helmet from the 1960s – will be as Patron of Chelsea AutoLegends.

It’s a fitting link. Moss has lived in London all his working life while Chelsea AutoLegends has been described as London’s greatest show on wheels. It will be held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Sunday 4 September.

“London is the centre of the world, a place with a real pulse. It is entirely fitting that somewhere as great as our capital has a show as dynamic as Chelsea AutoLegends,” said the 16-time Grand Prix winner.

Sir Stirling’s top flight motor racing career ended in a high speed accident at the Goodwood circuit in 1962, but a more recent career in historic motor sport ended in less dramatic circumstances, this June.

Halfway through qualifying his Porsche RS61 for the Le Mans Legends event, he suddenly realised it was time to call it quits. He drove back to the pits, got out of the car and announced his retirement. “I scared myself and I always said that, if I felt I was not up to it or that I was getting in the way of fellow competitors, then I would retire,” he said.

While he might no longer be driving in anger, Moss still plans to be involved in historic motorsport events, giving demonstrations runs or, as at Chelsea AutoLegends, being involved as a figurehead.

“I went to the first AutoLegends show last year and loved it. There were so many fabulous cars and familiar faces there, that I was delighted when they asked me to be Patron this year.

“London deserves a show like this and, if you miss it, you’ll be missing something special.”

Among the many iconic cars on display will be the very Ferrari 250GT SWB that Moss drove to victory in the 1961 Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. It was entered in the race by another motor racing legend, the late Rob Walker.

“Rob Walker was a true enthusiast but also a damn good team manager. And in his passport where it said ‘Profession’ he had written ‘Gentleman’. That gives you an idea of the sort of chap he was.”

Walker, Colonel Ronnie Hoare, Tommy Sopwith and John Coombs were all superb examples of team ‘Patrons’ – private entrants who took on, and often beat, the works teams in the 1950s and 1960s.

All four will be honoured at Chelsea AutoLegends with an invitation only dinner the evening before the event, with special displays of some of the most important cars linked to the teams. For Moss – a special guest at the dinner – memories will be stirred not just by the TT-winning Ferrari, but also by the 1959 Cooper Climax T51 in which he won the Portuguese and Italian Grands Prix in that year.

Other special themes at the show will include displays of Le Mans cars over the years, Group B rally cars and classic bikes. There will be cavalcades of supercars and motorcycles arriving at the show during the day, plus special tributes to the Jaguar E-type and Mini Cooper – both 50-years-old this year.

The ten most significant road cars of all times, as voted by Autocar magazine, will be on official display with countless other classics in the car parks. It’s not just cars but people, too. As well as Sir Stirling, multiple two-wheel World Champion Phil Read and rally hero Russell Brookes will also visit.

And in keeping with the venue which is just a stone’s throw from the Kings Road, and the many displays from the Swinging Sixties, it is hoped that visitors will get into the spirit of the day by wearing mini skirts, kaftans and bell-bottoms and put flowers in their hair.

Supercar spotters will be out in force in London on the first Sunday in September. Their prey? A host of rare breeds, which will be taking to the streets as part of the Chelsea AutoLegends motoring extravaganza.

The PistonHeads Supercar Run in association with The Sunday Times will set off from the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall at around 10am on Sunday 4 September. The cars will be aiming for the Sunday Times Supercar Paddock situated right at the heart of Chelsea AutoLegends on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea… but the cavalcade won’t be taking a direct route.

Instead, around 30 supercars will take a pre-planned route past many famous London landmarks turning thousands of heads along the way. The trip will reach Sloane Square and the Kings Road around noon, before arriving at Chelsea AutoLegends.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Motoring Committee at the Royal Automobile Club, said: “As the Pall Mall clubhouse celebrates its centenary year, the Royal Automobile Club is delighted to support the Chelsea AutoLegends event, and continue a long history of welcoming and supporting motorists as they embark on their automobile adventures.”

Among the potent machines seldom seen marques are promised such as Spyker, Pagani, Henessey, Mosler and Koenigsegg. They will be rubbing shoulders with rarities from Aston Martin (One-77) and Jaguar (XJ220 and XJR-15) as well as the latest mouth-watering machines from Alfa and Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, Bugatti, Mercedes and more.

The Supercar Run unites two very different types of media. PistonHeads (www.pistonheads.com) was created in 1998 as a community website for owners and fans of performance and supercars: today the site is crammed with daily news, forums and tantalising classified adverts.

“We are proud to be associated with Chelsea AutoLegends. The show is a wonderful addition to the motoring calendar and captures the motoring excitement our readers enjoy. The fact that we can showcase a spectacle through central London is fantastic: seeing the cars being used is what PistonHeads is all about,” said Paul Garlick, PistonHeads brand manager.

Over the years The Sunday Times has become synonymous with high performance machines, thanks to the creation of the Supercar Paddock at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed. Now the leading quality Sunday paper brings its supercar connections to Chelsea AutoLegends.

“It’s not often that so many desirable, rare, and downright expensive supercars are assembled in one place – unless you include Jeremy Clarkson’s drive – so it’s well worth a trip to the Sunday Times Supercar Paddock,” enthused Nick Rufford editor of The Sunday Times ‘InGear’.

Chelsea AutoLegends, now in its second year, is a feast of motoring nostalgia. Held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, this year’s extravaganza will be packed with motoring memories. As well as great names from motor sport – patron is Sir Stirling Moss OBE and he will be joined by eight times world motorcycle champion Phil Read among other stars – some of the world’s most famous cars will be on show.

Special displays will feature more than 30 Le Mans racers, plus a selection of Group B rally cars from the 1980s. Tributes will be paid to the Jaguar E-type and the Mini Cooper – both celebrating 50^th birthdays this year – while the PistonHeads Run and Sunday Times Supercar Paddock will be matched by a classic bike run to the show, organised by the famous Ace Café.

Other displays include a special tribute to the some of the British ‘Patrons’, the private race team entrants of the Fifties and Sixties, who took on the factory teams… and often won.

As well as providing plenty of motoring excitement for all the family, Chelsea AutoLegends will also raise money for the Chelsea Pensioners, the veterans who have given over their grounds for the day.

Tickets for this year’s Chelsea AutoLegends are now on sale either via the event’s new website (www.ChelseaAutoLegends.com) or from the ticket hotline on 0844 581 0760. Those pre-booking before the end of July can take advantage of considerable savings with adult tickets priced at £15 in advance rather than £20 on the gate, and £10 rather than £20 for 12-16 year-olds. Underlining the event’s family entertainment values, accompanied children aged under 12 will be admitted free of charge.

The 2011 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (15-17 July; www.cpop.co.uk), the UK’s biggest celebration of power and speed, will play host to one of the UK’s biggest gatherings of World Rally Championship cars this year.  Over 30 rally cars will be at the Pageant, and all will be undertaking high-speed runs on the Pageant’s brand new, purpose-built tarmac ‘Rally Stage’.  Crowds will get to see the cars reach speeds of over 100mph on the straights, and then drift in wild and spectacular fashion through the corners.

Most of the cars that will appear at the Pageant are from the legendary Group B era (1982 to 1986), which featured some of the quickest, most powerful and most technically sophisticated rally cars ever built.  The Group B cars became infamous for their extreme speeds, and for a series of major accidents – some of which were fatal – which led to the series being banned.

Alongside these Group B monsters will be multiple generations of top-flight rally cars, from those dating back to the early 1970s all the way up to the late 1990s, all putting on displays of high-octane, flame-spitting power.

The Cholmondeley Estate, Cheshire, has transformed part of its grounds into the bespoke Rally Stage which has been designed to allow large crowds to take in all of the action.  The stage consists of two straights, punctuated by challenging chicanes, with two sweeping corners allowing drivers to show off their skills.

Amongst the entrants on the Pageant’s Rally Stage will be the 1983 Audi Quattro A2, perhaps the most famous Group B car.  The Audi Quattro A2 turned the rallying world upside down when it made its debut in 1981, thanks to its then-unique four-wheel drive layout which gave it unbeatable traction on loose surfaces.  Winning the WRC in 1982 and 1984, in its ultimate guise the Audi Quattro produced a massive 650bhp.

Another famous machine attending the Pageant will be the Peugeot 205 T16 EVO.  This model dominated the latter years of Group B, when power and speed was key, winning in 1985 and 1986.  200 T16 road cars were produced with a similar turbo-charged mid-engine, four-wheel-drive setup as the rally cars, but with far less power.  Thankfully the 205 T16 EVO running at the Pageant will have no such restrictions.

In a similar vein to the Peugeot 205 T16, the Metro 6R4’s diminutive shape hides a potent 3.0-litre V6 engine with upwards of 350bhp.  Despite the 6R4 never achieving the success of some of its counterparts, it’s diminutive shape and knife-edge handling made a lasting impression on Group B, while its bespoke 3.0-litre V6 engine went on to even greater things.  It was eventually modified and used to power the Jaguar XJ220 – the world’s fastest production car between 1992 and 1994.

Other rally cars confirmed for the Pageant will include: 1982 Porsche 911 SC; 1986 Ford RS 200; 1967 Morris Mini Cooper S; 1988 Ford Sierra Cosworth;1979 Fiat X1/9 Prototipo; and the famous 1992 WRC Martini Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione.

James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, commented, “To have these Group B monsters here – on our very own rally stage – is a fantastic addition to the Pageant for 2011.  These outlandish cars are particularly welcome, as they epitomise the noise, power, speed and spectacle that make the Pageant so popular.

“With track, airborne and waterborne displays, it is just a natural step up to provide Pageant of Power visitors with the ultimate in off-road entertainment.  It’s a display they won’t be able to see anywhere else,” added Hall.

The Pageant is located in the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire, and was created to celebrate power and performance in its many forms.  Winning the Best Tourist Event in Cheshire, and drawing in more than 50,000 visitors in 2010, the Pageant of Power has fast gained a reputation that makes early booking essential.  Ticket booking details and further event information can be found at www.cpop.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 01829 772 432.

The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is the UK’s biggest celebration of power and speed, but that doesn’t mean that new, green technology will go ignored.  The Trident Iceni, a brand new British Grand Tourer, promises 200 mph and 100 mpg and will be officially launched at Green-Car-Guide Live!, the area dedicated to green motoring at the Pageant.

Over 10,000 people have expressed an interest in the two-seater Iceni. The 6.6-litre V8 turbodiesel-powered car can reach over 200 mph, accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds, and potentially deliver more than 100 mpg. The Iceni can also run on any kind of biodiesel, and it has a range of 2000 miles on a full tank. The excellent fuel economy is achieved through patented technology called torque multiplication.

The Trident Iceni will be on static display for the first time ever at Green-Car-Guide Live!, and it will also be demonstrating its performance on the track in front of tens of thousands of spectators throughout the weekend.

Another unique attraction on the circuit will be the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC (Racing Competition), based on the all-electric Nissan LEAF.  First shown at the New York auto show, this will only be the second time it has been driven in public in the UK. It is Nissan’s first electric prototype race car, developed by NISMO (Nissan Motorsport International Co., Ltd.) in Japan, and the first in a development phase leading up to a possible race series.

Visitors to the event will also be able to see the production Nissan LEAF hatchback in the Green-Car-Guide Live! area, along with other low emission vehicles from Nissan.

For people who want a car that could achieve over 70 or 80 miles per gallon then Volkswagen will also be showcasing its latest BlueMotion products in the Green-Car-Guide Live! area.

The Pageant of Power, incorporating Green-Car-Guide Live!, is based on the Cholmondeley Estate near Crewe, Cheshire, while the first Green-Car-Guide Live! display took place in 2008, the UK’s largest green motor show at the time.

The Green-Car-Guide Live! area, situated in the exclusive heart of the Pageant of Power event, will also feature vehicles from manufacturers such as Jaguar, as well cars such as the Oaktec Honda Civic hybrid rally car, with the Oaktec Honda Insight hybrid in action on the rally stage. Other brands on display at the event include BMW, MINI, Ford, Citroen, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi, and others to be announced soon.

Paul Clarke, founder of Green-Car-Guide.com, says “With such a range of incredible machinery, The Pageant of Power is one of the most entertaining events for families. We wanted to show visitors that their everyday transport can achieve over 70 mpg in the case of the Volkswagen BlueMotion range, or that their vehicle could function without any petrol or diesel at all in the case of the all-electric Nissan LEAF. We will also have a number of vehicles that may provide even more of a surprise, such as the brand new Trident Iceni, and hybrid rally cars.”

There are thrills and spills aplenty on offer at this year’s Motorexpo in the RaceRoom, where visitors can challenge each other on state-of-the-art simulators to win a unique Formula One experience.

The fastest driver will be given the chance to live the life of an F1 star for the day and drive a real F1 car at Hungary’s famous Hungaroring circuit, courtesy of Lotus Cars and the Lotus Renault GP team’s I-Race Programme.  Participants will be able to pit their skills against those of former F1 World Champion, Nigel Mansell OBE, who will set his own time on the simulator.

The prize includes return flights for the winner and a friend to Budapest, all transfers, accommodation at the five-star Four Seasons hotel, cocktail reception and dinner, breakfast and lunch at the Hungaroring circuit, and a full-day driving experience, including Formula Renault 2.0, Lotus GT4 and a Formula One single-seater.

Anyone visiting Motorexpo can be in with a chance of scooping this fantastic prize, by heading for the RaceRoom – situated in Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf – between Monday 6 and Sunday 12 June, and getting behind the wheel of one of the state-of-the-art F1 simulators to post a race time.

Motorexpo’s CEO, Graeme Carver, said: “To celebrate the Lotus Cars display at the 2011 Canary Wharf London Motorexpo, we are giving visitors the chance to win an exclusive racing experience that will put them behind the wheel of an outstanding open-wheel racer at one of the world’s most challenging circuits.

“Race your friends, colleagues and even former F1 world champion, Nigel Mansell OBE, to see who is the fastest,” Carver continued.  “The person who sits at the top of the leader board at the end of the event will win this once in a lifetime experience.  Good luck to all those who visit Motorexpo!”

Not only is Motorexpo Britain’s biggest free motor show, it is also the most interactive, taking advantage of the urban environment in and around the Canary Wharf estate.  Visitors are encouraged to touch and explore the diverse range of vehicles on display throughout the indoor and outdoor public spaces, and they can also get behind the wheel of many exciting new cars.

At the 2011 London event, for example, visitors will be able to experience the latest electric and low-carbon vehicles in a unique new feature entitled ‘Drive the Future’.  Visitors can test drive the yet-to-be-launched Vauxhall Ampera, as well as the compact Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the sporting Tesla Roadster.

Motorexpo is completely free for all members of the public to attend. There are no tickets and no queues, with easy access to the event via a wide variety of transport options.  Visitors can take the bus, London Underground or Docklands Light Railway.  Alternatively, there is space for 2,900 cars within Canary Wharf’s four underground public car parks.

Motorexpo is open daily from 10am to 6pm (Monday 6 to Saturday 11 June) and 11am to 5pm on Sunday 12 June.  Entry is free.  For further details about the Motorexpo RaceRoom please visitwww.motorexpo.com/raceroom

From 1-3 July, the Festival of Speed will be the only place in Britain to see the very latest supercars in action, as well as up close in the popular Goodwood Supercar Paddock.  The Festival of Speed has firmly established itself as the best place to see the newest, greatest and fastest supercars from around the globe. The Goodwood Supercar Run is unique in providing a dynamic environment in which the public can view new models for the first time.

Unlike a conventional motor show, the Supercar Run affords a fantastic opportunity not only to exhibit a new supercar, but also to show it in action on the Goodwood hillclimb. Last year’s Festival saw over 20 UK public debuts out of a 50-car field, and with six weeks still to go, this year’s entry is looking even stronger.

For 2011 the Supercar Run promises the very latest supercars from all around the world, with cars from as many as 11 countries anticipated.  Cars already confirmed to be making their World and/or UK dynamic debuts will include the Ferrari FF, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Jaguar XKR-S, Pagani Huayra, GTA Spano, Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Hennessy Venom GT, Koenigsegg Agera R, Marussia B1 and B2, Hulme CanAm Spyder, the six-wheeled Covini C6, and the production version of the McLaren MP4-12C, which made its World debut in pre-series form at the 2010 Festival of Speed.

In all, as many as 50 great supercars will be in action on the Hill, which will certainly be a feast for the senses of the expected 175,000+ visitors to the Festival of Speed and Moving Motor Show. A number of other important UK debuts will also take place in the First Glance class, FoS-TECH and in the manufacturers’ vast exhibition area at Goodwood, including the new Morgan 3 Wheeler, Alfa Romeo 4C, Peugeot EX1, Chevrolet Camaro Convertible and Infiniti Etheria concept.

Away from the Supercar Run, over a dozen other new vehicles are expected to be making their UK public debut on the Hill as part of the new Goodwood Moving Motor Show, presented by Auto Trader, details of which will be confirmed in the coming days and weeks.

Some of Britain’s leading automotive brands will give domestic debuts to new and updated models at this summer’s Motorexpo (6-12 June; www.motorexpo.com) at Canary Wharf.

Jaguar will use the free-to-visit London event to introduce its 2012 model line-up to the UK public for the first time.  The XF and XFR saloons and the XK coupe and convertible have all been extensively revised, and boast up-to-the-minute styling, the latest technology and, in the case of the 2.2-litre XF diesel, greatly improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

The Motorexpo crowd will be also among the first in the UK to get a glimpse of the new Bentley Continental GT, the iconic British manufacturer’s luxury coupe.  With a beautifully sculpted body, the latest Crewe coupe has an even crisper, more defined appearance to match its high-performance 6.0-litre W12 twin turbo-charged engine.

Land Rover will be wowing Motorexpo visitors with its striking new Range Rover Evoque.  Offered in both two- and four-wheel-drive guises, and as either five-door or coupe, the Range Rover Evoque is available to order now with first customer deliveries from September.

In addition to the rest of the Land Rover product line up, Motorexpo will once again feature the ever-popular Land Rover Experience Terrapod.  This exciting purpose-built off-road course gives show-goers the chance to experience Land Rover’s full breadth of capability first hand.

To tempt the many sportscar fans expected to visit Motorexpo, Group Lotus will be showing for the first time in the UK its lightweight, super-efficient Elise Club Racer, and will also display its recently launched flagship model, the Evora S.  Alongside these road cars the Norfolk-based brand will show the Evora GT4 race car, which has already gained a number of podiums in race series around the world, and the spectacular Lotus Renault GP F1 car – the R31 – in iconic black and gold colour-scheme.

Also at the Canary Wharf event, Swedish manufacturer Saab will be introducing its all-new 9-5 Sportwagon to a British audience.  The spacious load-lugger will not only impress with its capacious boot, but its rakish good looks are also likely to draw a crowd.  Skoda, the Czech car maker, will be introducing its new range of clean and economical Greenline II vehicles to a UK audience for the first time.  They are fitted with technological advancements such as a Stop/Start system, gear-change recommendation, and energy recuperation, all of which improve economy and lower CO₂ emissions.

“It’s clear from the number of manufacturers attending this year’s show – particularly those based in the UK – how seriously the industry takes our event,” comments Graeme Carver, Motorexpo’s CEO.  “Now in its sixteenth year, Motorexpo is by far the country’s biggest free motor show, so it’s appropriate that leading car makers use it as a platform from which to launch exciting new products.”

Not only is Motorexpo Britain’s biggest free motoring event, it is also the most interactive, taking advantage of the urban environment in and around the iconic Canary Wharf business and shopping district.  Visitors are encouraged to touch and explore the diverse range of vehicles on display throughout the indoor and outdoor public spaces, and they also have the chance to get behind the wheel of many exciting new vehicles.

At the 2011 London event, for example, visitors will benefit from a new feature entitled ‘Drive the Future’ which will give a unique opportunity to experience the latest electric and low-carbon vehicles.  For example, visitors will be among the first to test drive the new Vauxhall Ampera, as well as other green cars such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Tesla Roadster.

Motorexpo is completely free for all members of the public to attend.  There are no tickets and no queues, with easy access to the event via one of the wide variety of transport options available.  Visitors can take the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Thames Clipper river boat or bus.  Alternatively, there is also space for 2,900 cars within Canary Wharf’s four underground public car parks.

Motorexpo sits in and around one of London’s best shopping centres, with more than 200 stores and some of the most exciting new bar and restaurant brands in the capital.

Motorexpo is open daily from 10am to 6pm (Monday 6 to Saturday 11 June) and 11am to 5pm on Sunday 12 June.  Entry is free.  Details on how to get there and information on the show are available at www.motorexpo.com.

Not content with being the biggest classic motoring show in the country, the Footman James Classic Motor Show is now expanding its two-wheeled presence into a show in its own right. The Footman James Classic Motorbike Show will span two halls and be co-located with the already popular event when it returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 12^th to 14^th November.

Show Manager Andy Rouse explains: “We’ve increased the presence of classic motorbikes into the show over the past two years and it has been so successful that it has outgrown the space and can now stand as its own event. The principle will be the same with amazing displays for the UK’s best motorbike clubs, the Pride of Ownership concours competition and the popular Bike Jumble as well as adding some exciting new attractions.

“There is nothing like hearing these motorbikes fired up so we are planning on some thrilling indoor live action with some amazing classic and modern trials bikes. We’ve also invited a host of special guests from the motorcycle world that we hope to interview on the Classic Motorbike Stage. Plus we’re extending the trader village to include more motorbike dealers, spare parts and memorabilia.”

The Footman James Classic Motorbike Show will be held in halls 8 and 9 of the NEC with a walkway into the Classic Motor Show, as enthusiasts will have the opportunity to buy a combined ticket so that they can enjoy another five halls of classic motoring as well as the neighbouring MPH Show*.

With around 30 motorcycle clubs already attending, the show also has the support of show sponsor Meguiar’s, the iconic Ace Café London and headline sponsor and classic motoring insurance specialist Footman James.  

Paul Matthews, Footman James’ Managing Director, said: “Classic motorcycles have enjoyed an increasingly popular presence at the Classic Motor Show in recent years, and we are delighted that they will be celebrated at their very own stand alone show this year.

“We are committed to supporting the motorcycle industry and are proud to sponsor an event which helps to recognise and protect the heritage of so many unique motorcycles - and one which will add a new and exciting dimension to the Classic Motor Show.”

For more information and updates on the Footman James Classic Motorbike Show, visit www.classicmotorbikeshow.co.uk.

Exhibitors and visitors to the May Motormart AutoJumble have become accustomed to rather stormy weather in recent years so to have a favourable forecast and be greeted with fine balmy weather for the start of the show was a most welcome change.  Sunday did see the return of a chill wind but the rain held off and the sun even made an appearance at the end of the day. Attendance figures of 13,914 were a little down on last year’s bumper total of 14,275 but still made it the third best figures since the show’s inception in 1994. Given the current economic climate it was a very pleasing result.

Stand spaces also matched last years numbers with 862 stands and 194 vehicles in the MotorMart, giving a grand total of 1056, one more than 2009. Although not as well known for overseas visitors as the September AutoJumble there were lots of Irish and European voices to be heard, possibly taking advantage of the strong Euro against the pound.

Trading over the weekend was good with plenty of sales for exhibitors and buyers finding the prices very reasonable on the vast majority of stands. The free service offering delivery of large items to the visitor car parks was also in high demand.

The show’s MotorMarque feature this year celebrated the 40^th anniversary of the Triumph Stag. Members of the Stag Owners Club put on a display of their vehicles to showcase the marque. At the close of the show each of the owners was presented with a commemorative gift by Lord Montagu.

There was a good mix of vehicles for sale in the MotorMart, with sellers reporting lots of interest and several vehicles sold by the close of the show.  Side by side were an attractive 1930s Model A Ford for £18,000, a red 1960 Buick Electra 225 4-door pillarless saloon and a 1956 Oldsmobile Holiday in cream and turquiose. A Dunsmore ‘Jaguar’ Racing Special had an asking price of £26,995.  Just 13-15 were originally built, all to individual specifications, with only 8/9 now remaining in the UK. One owner, Steve Pike, had driven his 1967 left-hand drive Ford Cortina to the show from Sweden and was planning to buy something else to get home in if his reached its asking price of £2,575.

Among other classics on offer were a 1959 Austin Healy 100/6 looking for offers over £22,000, a Series ll E-Type Jaguar for £28,500, a Noble M12 GT03 in Lamborghini Gold for £21,950 and an 1955 Alvis TC100 Grey Lady in 2-tone blue for £8,500. Smaller cars were represented by a 1937 Morris 8, fully restored, for £4,500, a 1954 split-screen Morris Minor for £3,999 and for someone looking for a restoration project, an Austin 7 RP Box with an asking price of £4,250.

Sunday trading was given a boost with the addition of the Sodbury Sortout with over 100 Land Rover stand holders arriving for their one day event.  It was the Sortout’s second visit to Beaulieu and was declared by Sortout organiser, Jim Wilkieto be another great success.  Stand numbers for the other popular Sunday feature, Trunk Traders, were a little down this year but still brought a welcome injection of new stock to the field.

For the first time at this event, a Best Stand trophy was awarded.   The trophy was donated by Lolly Starnes in memory of her father, Terry Lee, a man dedicated to automobilia who spent his life searching for rare items of interest. He owned several vintage vehicles and also restored a Foden steam lorry.  The Best Stand, chosen by show sponsors, Classics Monthly, went to Gary Chapman and Keith Robinson for their fine collection of mascots.  The pair have been coming to both the Spring and September Autojumbles for the past fifteen years and were both surprised and delighted to receive their award from Lord Montagu on Sunday afternoon.  They will also receive a free stand at the next Spring event.

Show sponsors, Classics Monthly hosted a variety of activities in their ‘RestorationVillage’ with experts demonstrating their expertise in restoration skills including soda blasting and metal shaping. Among the Readers’ cars on display, one in particular, one of the first diesel Land Rovers from 1957 towing a classic caravan, drew lots of interest.

Beaulieu’s popular MotorMart AutoJumble takes place on the 15^th & 16^th May in the grounds of the world-famous Beaulieu attraction. Events Manager Judith Maddox said: “Stand bookings are well advanced for this year’s show with lots of new stand-holders in addition to our regulars and over 30 cars clubs attending. We are also delighted to be welcoming back the Sodbury Sortout which adds an extra dimension to Sunday.

The 1,000 Autojumble spaces will be selling motoring parts, automobilia, literature and accessories while the MotorMart, on the Beaulieu Arena, will have up to 200 vehicles for sale, ranging from concours classics to restorable relics and the DealerMart, a selection of classic cars for sale.

MotorMarque, which celebrates a significant anniversary in the history of a model that went on to become a legend or started an iconic design trend, is showcasing the Triumph Stag, which this year is celebrating its 40^th anniversary. The Stag Owners Club will put on a display to showcase their marque.

Classics Monthly Magazine continues its support of MotorMart returning for 2010 with the hugely popular ‘Restoration Village’ with professional demonstrations of techniques useful for restoring and repairing classics.  Visit the team to watch the demonstrations and pick up a copy of the magazine’s latest issue which doubles as the MotorMart showguide.

Sunday highlights include Old Sodbury’s Land Rover Sortout with hundreds of stands selling Land Rover parts and accessories.  Also on Sunday, the popular Trunk Traders will feature ‘boot bounty’ from amateur autojumblers selling their surplus car bits from the back of their vehicles.

Visitors to the event will be able to enjoy all the Beaulieu attractions, including the National Motor Museum’s latest exhibition ‘ ProMotion’ showcasing a number of vehicles that illustrate the imaginative and fun techniques companies have used to promote their products over the years, plus World of Top Gear, Palace House and Abbey. 

There is a special on-the-day, inclusive price of £8.70 for adults and £6.70 for children even less if booked in advance on the ticket hotline: 01590 612888, or online at www.beaulieu.co.uk/tickets

There is still time to book Autojumble stand spaces with prices starting at £58, £37 for MotorMart spaces and £35 for Trunk Trader (Sun only). Just contact the Events Department on 01590 614614 or email: events@beaulieu.co.uk

Further to The Earl of March’s confirmation last month that Goodwood will be introducing a dedicated Manufacturer Preview Day, more details can now be revealed about this one-day extension – dubbed the ‘Moving Motor Show’ – to the hugely successful Goodwood Festival of Speed. The ‘Moving Motor Show’ will be held within the grounds of Goodwood Park as a significant addition to the annual Festival, which takes place from 2-4 July. 

On Thursday 1 July 2010 new cars buyers and enthusiasts will be able to enjoy an exclusive motor show preview day, where they will not only be able to see the very latest new car models on display, but in many cases also climb aboard and experience the vehicles first-hand strictly at the invitation of the attending manufacturers.  The cars will undertake hundreds of runs on a special evaluation route that includes the world famous Goodwood hillclimb, following in the wheel tracks of many celebrated racing drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sir Stirling Moss.

Car manufacturers repeatedly report strong enquiry levels and actual sales as a direct result of participating at Goodwood.  All sectors of the new car market will be represented at the Moving Motor Show, from economy hatchbacks to MPVs, family saloons to SUVs and prestige limousines to supercars, with manufacturers having their own stands to display their products and interact with customers.  Vehicle manufacturers already confirmed to be in attendance at Goodwood include Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Jaguar, BMW, Abarth, Morgan, Volvo, Mazda, Rolls-Royce, Ford, Nissan and Alpina, with to be announced shortly.

In recent years the Festival of Speed has grown to become Britain’s largest annual automotive exhibition, consistently attracting over 150,000+ visitors over three days.  The Supercar Run has become a key attraction at the Festival, enabling manufacturers to showcase their latest products in action.  Building on this, the Festival has increasingly been used by vehicle companies to debut important new models – with over 30 appearing for the very first time in the UK in 2009.  Additionally, the FoS-TECH technology pavilion offers manufacturers an opportunity to present their latest environmentally-considerate concepts, with the Moving Motor Show enabling the very latest road cars to be presented.

Commenting on this latest Goodwood motoring initiative, Festival of Speed founder Lord March says, “The Moving Motor Show is a direct response to the continued enthusiasm and demand from vehicle manufacturers and the general car-buying public alike for an annual motor show in Britain.  In recent years the British Motor Show has been bi-annual, and has now been cancelled altogether for 2010.”

Lord March continues: “My hope is that the Goodwood Moving Motor Show will become a ‘must attend’ annual event, enabling car buyers to see and experience the latest models, and giving vehicle producers the opportunity to showcase their products in a stunning setting and a relaxed environment.”

Tickets to the 1^st July Moving Motor Show preview day are available to advance order only at £20 per person, with children 12 and under entering for free.  Vehicle parking is also free of charge.  As well as offering the chance to see the very latest cars on the market, some Moving Motor Show visitors will be able to drive the cars at the invitation of many of the attending manufacturers.  Visitors will also be able to enjoy a host of other attractions, including an off-road driving course, live music, a mouth-watering supercar paddock, Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, air displays and a stunning ‘central display’ automotive art installation.

Goodwood has firmly established itself as the best place to see the latest motoring marvels and best supercars in action, and more details about the exciting Moving Motor Show, as well as the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, will be announced over the coming weeks.

Part of London’s Mayfair came to a standstill today as South African motor racing legend and former F1 World Champion Jody Schecter took his Excellency Dr Zola Skweyiya, the South African High Commissioner, on a high speed run to launch a major new motoring event.

The ‘Lormarins 1200’ is to be staged in South Africa in October this year and is ultimately set to rival the Italian Mille Miglia.

Celebrities from the world of cars and sport gathered at the Home of Alfred Dunhill in Mayfair to witness in excess of £10 million worth of historic cars promoting the new non-competitive road rally which is to take place in South Africa’s Western Cape.

The cars, including a 1932 Alfa 8c Monza, a 1957 Ferrari Tour de France one of only seven made and a 1952 Jaguar -C type took members of the press and television on a series high speed runs.

Event organiser Chris Routledge said: “We want this new event to rival the Mille Miglia and the Tour Auto. Initial plans are for five years and already we have received prospective entries from all over the World.”

Between 40 and 50 cars are due to take part in this years ‘Lormarins 1200’ which has been born of the passion for both historic motor cars and the Western Cape wine region, long fostered by Mr Johann Rupert. 

His many business interests have allowed him the basic framework from which to mount the ‘Lormarins 1200’, which is unique in terms of the country of South Africa.  It will afford enthusiasts of historic motoring the opportunity of taking part in the very first running of a meticulously planned, and sumptuously executed week of top-notch experiences which will remain with them eternally.

The event is designed to showcase the rich variety of South Africa’s world-renowned wine region, the breathtaking beauty of the Western Cape flora and fauna and the warmth and hospitality of its people.

Centred around the Franschhoek Motor Museum the event will be a 5-day “experience” for all those taking part and the organiser’s avowed intention is that everyone leaves South Africa with an unforgettable experience, lasting memories and newly formed friendships.

Highlights will include opportunities for whale watching off the spectacular coast; driving through the world famous Franschhoek Pass; a variety of routes taking in Betty’s Bay, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Cape Town, Chapman’s Peak and Du Toitskloof – the very best of the peninsula’s scenery and most challenging of its roads.

The participants will also be treated to an exclusive “race day” at the historic Killarney race circuit with an exclusive hospitality area dedicated to ‘Lormarins 1200’ participants and invited VIP Guests. Interspersed with this unparalleled access to the track will be demonstration runs by cars from the Franschhoek Motor Museum including such iconic marques as Tyrell, Maserati and Bugatti.

The ‘Lormarins 1200’ rally entrants are restricted to motor vehicles built between 1940 and 1970.  The event this year is restricted to a maximum of 50 entrants.  The ‘Lormarins 1200’ will be Uniquely South African, with an African flare!

From the 29^th – 31^st May 2010, the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu is playing host to Trucks & Troops.  Staged by the South Hampshire Area of the Military Vehicle Trust the show is a celebration of the development of military transport, combat vehicles and soldiering through the ages.

Over 250 military vehicles will be on display, everything from push-bikes to armoured and tracked vehicles, ranging from pre WWll to the Gulf War. These include a multitude of types such as Jeeps, Dodges, Bedfords, GMCs, Austin Champs and, of course, Land Rovers. Re-enactment groups, including the Vietnam war group, Rolling Thunder, will be wearing uniforms and equipment corresponding to the vehicles on display.  They will be talking to visitors about life as a soldier and re-creating camps and situations in which they would have lived and served. 

On the Beaulieu Arena, visitors can watch a range of activities including parades of vehicles, displays from Rolling Thunder and bands providing musical entertainment. Take time to walk around the militaria stalls with a variety of goods for sale from a gas mask to a Jeep!

Activities for younger visitors include a Commando Assault Course, a Model Boat Pond and Model Tank Village.  There will also be an opportunity to dress up in Army camouflage, including camo face paint, and take part in a patrol with real soldiers from the modern British Army.

Visitors to the show can also see all the other Beaulieu attractions including the National Motor Museum’s latest exhibition ‘ProMotion’ and World of Top Gear, Palace House and 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey.  Not to be missed is the Secret Army Exhibition which tells the story of wartime Beaulieu and the training of secret agents to work with the Resistance in occupied Europe during WWll.

The show is open from 10am each day with plenty of free parking.  For more information telephone 01590 612345, or visit: www.beaulieuevents.co.uk

In anticipation of the welcome return of British trials bike legend Dougie Lampkin to the Festival of Speed from 2-4 July, Goodwood has filmed an ‘Episode 2’ video for viral distribution of Lampkin running amok around the 12,500 acre Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3CsLDhcC-A

Dougie Lampkin made a memorable impact on the Festival of Speed in 2008 when he first visited the annual celebration of motor sport.  His initial visit two years ago was captured on an entertaining video, with Lampkin riding through Goodwood House, riding within inches of priceless antiques and artworks on his trials motorcycle.  This first episode of the ‘Dougie Lampkin vs. Goodwood’ video has now been viewed by millions around the world. 

Two years on, Lampkin has returned to Goodwood to showcase his considerable talents in a second episode expansion of the original 2008 viral.  In the latest video, 12-time World Trails Champion Lampkin searches for fellow British World motor sport champions, Formula One aces Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Lampkin’s search takes him across the Goodwood Estate, ranging from the House, The Kennels Goodwood sporting members club, golf course, and the famous race course, Hotel, Health Club and Spa, Motor Circuit and Aerodrome, in his quest to find the two most recent F1 World Champion drivers.  Look out for some other familiar faces too.

To order advance Festival of Speed tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:

Telephone: +44 1243 755055

Fax: +44 1243 755058

Email: ticket.office@goodwood.com

Book on-line: www.goodwood.com

The Earl of March is proud to announce today the introduction of a dedicated Manufacturer Preview Day, dubbed the ‘Moving Motor Show,’ as a one-day extension to the hugely successful Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The ‘Moving Motor Show’ will be held within the grounds of Goodwood Park as a significant addition to the annual Festival of Speed, which takes place from 2-4 July.  On Thursday 1 July 2010 new cars buyers will be able to enjoy an exclusive motor show preview day, where they will not only be able to see the very latest new car models on display, but in many cases also climb aboard and experience the vehicles first-hand at each manufacturer’s invitation.  The cars will undertake hundreds of runs on a special evaluation route that includes the world famous Goodwood hillclimb, following in the wheel tracks of many celebrated racing drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and Sir Stirling Moss.

The Festival of Speed has grown to become Britain’s largest annual automotive exhibition, consistently attracting over 150,000+ visitors over three days.  The Supercar Run has become a key attraction at the Festival, enabling manufacturers to showcase their latest products in action.  Building on this, the Festival has increasingly been used by vehicle companies to debut important new models – with over 30 appearing for the very first time in the UK in 2009.  Additionally, the FoS-TECH technology pavilion offers manufacturers an opportunity to present their latest environmentally-considerate concepts. 

Car manufacturers repeatedly report strong enquiry levels and actual sales as a direct result of participating at Goodwood.  All sectors of the new car market will be represented at the Moving Motor Show, from economy hatchbacks to MPVs, family saloons to SUVs and prestige limousines to supercars, with manufacturers having their own stands to display their products and interact with customers.

Commenting on this latest Goodwood motoring initiative, Festival of Speed founder Lord March says, “The Moving Motor Show is a direct response to the continued enthusiasm and demand from vehicle manufacturers and the general car-buying public alike for an annual motor show in Britain.  In recent years the British Motor Show has been bi-annual, and has now been cancelled altogether for 2010.”

Lord March continues: “My hope is that the Goodwood Moving Motor Show will become a ‘must attend’ annual event, enabling car buyers to see and experience the latest models, and giving vehicle producers the opportunity to showcase their products in a stunning setting and a relaxed environment.”

Goodwood has firmly established itself as the best place to see the latest motoring marvels and best supercars in action, and more details about the exciting Moving Motor Show, as well as the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, will be announced over the coming months.

To order advance Festival of Speed tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline:

Telephone: +44 1243 755055

Fax: +44 1243 755058

Email: ticket.office@goodwood.com

Book on-line: www.goodwood.com

The first of this year’s ten Goodwood Breakfast Club meetings got off to a classic start on Sunday 7 March when an impressive selection of (mostly pre-1973) tax-exempt vehicles gathered at the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit for the themed ‘Tax-free Sunday’ meeting.

Thanks to the fine crisp spring day, the first 2010-season Breakfast Club meeting tempted many classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts out of their long winter hibernation.

The owners and enthusiasts of the huge variety of tax-exempt vehicles took to the picturesque West Sussex roads for an enjoyable Sunday morning drive, before displaying their machines at the celebrated Goodwood circuit; home to many famous races when a lot of the classic cars on display were brand new! Indeed, the only taxing issue of the day was choosing what to have for breakfast from the tempting selection of Goodwood’s own organic fayre.

Amongst the various cherished Jaguars, MGs, Alfa Romeos and Austins, a special Goodwood display of interesting tax-free cars included a classic ex-Le Mans 1956 Jaguar D-Type, a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT, 1972 Chevrolet Corvette and numerous Hillman Imps. One very enterprising motorist arrived in a brand new Ford Focus ECOnetic, which emits such low emission levels that the car is tax-exempt. Goodwood applauds this sort of lateral thinking and duly positioned the Ford on the main grid display alongside an older Corsair cousin and hundreds of other tax-exempt pre-1973 classics. A tax-free, zero emission Tesla Roadster also made the trip from London

Many visitors enjoyed a hearty breakfast, made with Goodwood’s delicious home-reared organic ingredients. Some visitors also took advantage to slowly tour the Goodwood track by tractor and trailer.

Most Goodwood Breakfast Club meeting are held on the first Sunday of the month, with the next event, on 4th April, set to attract family favourite saloons and estates, from Cortinas and Morris Minors, to the more recent Sierra Cosworth and pioneering Renault Espace.

All Breakfast Club meetings are free to attend, and are staged from 8:30hrs to midday. Goodwood encourages Breakfast Club visitors to pre-register their intention to visit the monthly event to gauge numbers and vehicle types, by visiting www.goodwood.com/breakfastclub.

The first Beaulieu ‘Simply Ford’ event takes place on Sunday 2nd May and promises to be a great day out for all Ford enthusiasts.  All Ford owners are invited to come to Beaulieu in their vehicle and become part of the event. Any model is welcome, from the new Focus RS to the old MK 1 or 2 Escort RS or even a Model T!

All Ford owners taking part have an opportunity to enter the Pride of Ownership competition with the winner receiving a £100 cash prize and a Beaulieu trophy. The winner will be one of twenty vehicles chosen by the judging panel to go on display in the Main Arena and take part in a cavalcade.

For entrants arriving on the day in their Ford and joining the event on the Beaulieu Parkland, individual prices are adult £10 and child £5. To book in advance or for more information about group or club entry and concession prices telephone 01590 612888. All other entries will be via Beaulieu main reception at normal admission prices.

For all enquires on Ford related trade stands, telephone 01590 614614.

Entry into the Beaulieu Parkland with your Ford is from 8.30am – the Brabazon Restaurant will be open for bacon rolls, cakes, teas and coffees.

Admission to the event includes entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction; the National Motor Museum and World of Top Gear, Palace House and gardens and Beaulieu Abbey.

The Race Retro 2010 countdown has already started, and motorcycle enthusiasts have plenty to see at this year’s show, held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry from 12th to 14th March, including a new British contender for the motorcycle Land Speed Record.

This August the Angelic Bulldog team travels to Bonneville, where it is hoping to smash the 400mph barrier and bring the motorcycle Land Speed Record back to the UK for the first time since 1937. The current record of 360.913mph over a kilometre was set in 2008 by American Rocky Robinson riding his machine, named Ack-Attack.

Using a six and a half-metre long ‘streamliner’ powered by a 2.3-litre supercharged 700-horsepower engine, Angelic Bulldog project boss and rider Gabriel Uttley is hoping to bring the crown back to these shores. It’ll be displayed at Race Retro, giving enthusiasts a chance to get a glance of this rapid two-wheeler.

For rapid racing bikes the International Historic Racing Organisation is serving up four treats from its recently-created IHRO Class 2, which targets pre-1972 multi-cylinder Grand Prix machines and replicas. Four bikes are on display including a Yamaha 350 and a Konig 500, which used a two-stroke motorboat engine!

The internationally-acclaimed Sammy Miller Museum is showing two Nortons – a 1956 Model F 350 and a 1960 350cc Lowboy. Both demonstrate Norton’s technical foresight, the Model F featuring a five-speed gearbox while the frame carried the engine oil. The Lowboy features a lowered-frame design, which aimed to minimalise wind drag, but wasn’t the success it was hoped to be.

Race Retro will also pay tribute to 60 years of Norton with a stunning display of motorcycles as well as having famous racers from the past fifty years on hand to talk about the bikes’ finest hour with Race Retro motorcycle MC Steve Parrish.

And if you are looking to buy, H&H Auctions will have a private collection of 50 motorcycles up for grabs including rare Nortons and an early Harley Davidson.

Also making a more than welcome return is the Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death, who brings another side of motorcycling to Race Retro. Using Indian and early Honda twins, Ken and his riders continue to defy the force of gravity.

Two amazing dragsters – including the first one built in the UK – are appearing at this year’s Race Retro, held at Stoneleigh Park from 12th to 14th March.

The Allard dragster was the brainchild of South London car-maker Sydney Allard, who had made his name building sports cars powered by American Ford and Cadillac V8 engines during the 1950s. By the early ‘60s drag racing had a massive following in the USA and it was inevitable the sport would cross the pond.

Allard recognized this and started planning the car that’s on show in 1960. He used a Chrysler Hemi V8 fitted with a GMC supercharger, clothed in a lightweight, streamlined body. 

The car, currently on display at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, is being restored, and the Allard Chrysler Action Group chairman Brian Taylor, who recently penned the book ‘Crazy Horses: The History of British Drag Racing’ will be on hand to talk about the car’s progress.

Making its debut at Race Retro is a Fiat Topolino-bodied competition altered dragster, fresh from its winter rebuild. It updates the competition altered ‘wars’ of the 1960s, which were the biggest crowd-pleasers at dragstrips across the USA, and now in the UK too.

First pounding the quarter mile in 1979 the car, now named ‘Go Hard or Go Home’, uses a 360 cubic inch (5900cc) engine that has been rebuilt by Team Gridlock, and runs with the Wild Bunch nostalgia drag racing club.

TOKYO AUTO SALON 2010 with NAPAC is the world’s largest auto exhibition with more than 600 vehicles on display as well as some 300 companies, associations and schools including after-market parts manufacturers, custom shops, car manufacturers, automotive businesses, and automotive vocational schools, etc.

Exhibits will include not only custom cars and car tuning products but also every topic for those who love cars including intros to customizing technology and custom car product sales. Moreover live entertainment by top musicians and talk shows hosting famous drivers and celebrities will make this more than an event for automotive and motor sports fans.

We’ll be bringing you as much as possible from the show.

Race Retro is inviting private owners of Retro and Café Racer motorcycles to compete in a concours competition at this year’s show held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry from 12th to 14th March. Supported by Classic Bike, Ace Cafe London and Meguiars, the entrants will be judged by an expert panel with the winners receiving trophies, rosettes, and product packs.

Prize winners will be presented with their awards at the show by former Norton development engineer and racing legend Peter Williams, and eight times GP World Champion Phil Read MBE.

Entry numbers are limited to a total of fifty bikes covering all categories and entries will be accepted on a strictly ‘first come first served basis’ so don’t delay. An entry form can be found on the show’s website www.raceretro.com.

The categories are:

Best Pre-1946 Race bike 
Best 1946 – 1959 Race bike
Best 1960 – 1969 Race bike
Best 1970 – on Race bike
Best British Race bike
Best European Race bike  
Best Japanese Race bike
Best Café Racer

Entries are free and entitle the entrant to two show entry passes per bike displayed and a parking pass. All bikes must be presented to the exhibition halls on Thursday 11th March 2010 between 8am and 9pm and must be removed on Sunday 14th November 2010 from one hour after the show closes to the public at 4.30pm. The halls will be security guarded at all times and locked down overnight for the duration of the show.

Race Retro will be paying tribute to 60 years of Norton with a stunning display of motorcycles as well as having Norton racers will be on hand to talk about the bikes’ finest hour such as John ‘Mooneyes’ Cooper, Trevor Nation and Keith Heckles, who will be talking with Race Retro motorcycle MC Steve Parrish.

And if you are looking to buy, H&H Auctions will have a private collection of 50 motorcycles up for grabs including rare Nortons and an early Harley Davidson.

Also making a more than welcome return is the Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death, who brings another side of motorcycling to Race Retro. Using Indian and early Honda twins, Ken and his riders continue to defy the force of gravity.

For a full view of Honda’s Tokyo Show news go to the Honda – Tokyo Show page from HERE

There’s nothing like a touch of automotive exotica to get a car enthusiast’s pulse racing, and this year’s Classic Motor Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 13-15 November, is promising a wide selection of cars par-excellence. From stately Rolls-Royces to a display of Bugattis down the generations, and through to jet-set Maseratis, the finest in luxury and performance will be star attractions.

The Ferrari Owners’ Club is promising the ex-Steve McQueen Lusso as well as a 250 Europa, and another superlative model is promised. With interest in American actor McQueen as great as ever, the beautifully-understated Lusso has the added attraction of its famous previous owner.

Staying with an Italian theme, the Maserati Owners’ Club is serving up an array of Grand Tourers from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Regarded by many enthusiasts as the epitome of jet-set coolness, the club is showing a Ghibli, Indy, Khamsin, Mistral, Sebring, as well as a 3500GT and one of the world’s greatest-ever supercars, a 5000GT.

Meanwhile the Bugatti Owners Club is celebrating the marque’s 100th anniversary and promising a selection of six models, ranging from a Brescia model and Type 35B to the later-generation EB110 – with something even more powerful expected!

Fans of Porsches won’t be disappointed either – look out for a 928 S4, a 1980s 911SC and a 993 C4S on the Independent Porsche Enthusiasts’ Club stand.

But for those who want something haling a little closer to home, the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club is marking the 85th anniversary of the Phantom 11 Continental and 20/25, and the 50th anniversary of its V8 engine. There’s an experimental early V8 Cloud and continuing the technical theme, a cut-away Silver Shadow that’s used for training purposes. Several engines are also being showed, including a very early Royce unit.

So for anyone who likes their cars at the top of the luxury and performance game, a trip to this year’s Classic Motor Show is a must. The show is packed with over 1,400 of Britain’s best classic cars and motorcycles as well as many other live events and attractions, including the Live Stage, Restoration Theatre and hundreds of trade stands selling more parts, spares and motoring paraphernalia than you could imagine.

For more information, the latest show updates and to book tickets, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.