Pageant of Power 2008 - Press Releases.

This page will feature all the news regarding the Pageant of Power, as the event draws closer.

25.06.08 BEST OF BRITISH BIKES CELEBRATED AT CHOLMONDELEY
27.06.08 A CENTURY OF MOTORING AT CHOLMONDELEY
03.07.08 BENTLEY BACK THE PAGEANT OF POWER
10.07.08 CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE RACE CIRCUIT IS GO!

BEST OF BRITISH BIKES CELEBRATED AT CHOLMONDELEY

25.06.08

Gone but not forgotten perhaps sums up the heyday of the British motorcycle industry – and what better way to re-kindle those memories than a summer’s day in one of England’s loveliest estates?

The inaugural Pageant of Power at Cholmondeley, South Cheshire will see a host of formerly great names competing against the clock on a newly created course on Saturday and Sunday August 9 & 10.

Few are entirely forgotten, but who remembers, the “Ner a Car “from 1922? Perhaps the whole event’s most unlikely entry, the Ner a Car joins more familiar Triumphs – still made, of course, down the road at Hinckley – Nortons, Scotts, Vincents, BSAs and Matchless.

It’s not all about the Brits though. Described as “the most iconic bike on the planet” the Honda 6 from the 1960’s has a unique sound and people have been known to cross oceans just to hear it. This is a famous Mike Hailwood TT bike from 1967. Honda have also loaned the 2007 John McGuinness 750 cc – the current Isle of Man lap record holder at a barely believable 130 mph – static display.

Suzuki Ducatti, Yamaha and Harley Davidson are also represented while there is a fascinating contrast between the 1972 MV Augusta 750 and its modern Augusta F4 counterpart.

Unlike most modern events all the machinery at the Pageant is open for inspection at close quarters for every visitor. The riders of these fascinating machines will also be on hand to reminisce to old hands and introduce youngsters to something new.

The event will feature 40 racing bikes and 80 sports and racing cars – vintage, classic and modern day, competing on the new circuit. In addition there will be motorbikes and vintage cars on display in the grounds.

Inshore powerboat racing will take place on the 25 acre mere and helicopters will be flying in and displayed including the famous MASH bubble cabin helicopter and the original Army helicopter, the Skeeter made from canvas and wood.

There will be a trade village with attractions for all the family - picnics, jazz bands, food and champagne tents, shopping, crafts and a funfair.

Tickets are £25 per day for Adults – children under 16 go free, or £40 per adult for a weekend ticket. Ticket Hotline number is 01264 882200 or buy on-line at www.pageantofpower.com

A CENTURY OF MOTORING AT CHOLMONDELEY

27.06.08

A feast of fantastic machinery ranging from one of the oldest cars in the world – an 1897 Daimler – all the way to F1 and Le Mans racers from the 90s will excite visitors to the inaugural Pageant of Power to be held at Cholmondeley Castle, South Cheshire on August 9 & 10.

Most of the cars will take part in time trials over a newly created race course – and there will also be an opportunity for rides aboard some of the classic vehicles.

This year’s featured car make is Alfa Romeo with eight classics from the company’s heyday between the wars already entered.

With over 100 entries confirmed the Pageant of Power looks set to become one of the hits of this year’s “Cheshire Season” – attracting petrolheads, families and celebrities alike.

The earliest days of motoring before the first world war are represented by some familiar names – Daimler (this is the oldest surviving model), Benz, Rolls Royce and Opel for example – and others that have long since disappeared such as Star, GN and the splendidly named Newton Bennett Tourer.

Car production started in earnest in the twenties and classic makes such as Napier, Delage, Bugatti, Morgan, Fraser Nash, Riley (this car was a runner up at the classic Le Mans 24 hours) and ERA (English Racing Automobiles) will all be at Cholmondeley.

The biggest concentration of cars is from the fifties with Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus, Austin Healey and Lister among the British big hitters of the period represented.

Among the sixties entrants are the first wave of Americans that came over to contest the British Saloon Car Championship. The Ford Galaxy and Mustang both took on and often beat the up to then all-conquering Jaguars and will line up alongside their GT40 (the famous Ford France Le Mans car) and racing Capri brethren.

The seventies and eighties are represented by a diverse collection ranging from a racing Ford Sierra all the way to a tiny DAF coupe powered by a mighty American V8!

There is a huge variety of racing cars from the iconic fifties Maserati “birdcage” – named for the complexity of its chassis – through the famous “Chocolate Drop” Chevron of the 70s and up to an ex-Schumacher Benetton F1 car.

Coming right up to date the Pageant will also see quite modern McLaren (this Harrods sponsored car won at Le Mans), Ferrari and Porsche models. Completing the GT40 story there is a modern-day version previously owned by Jeremy Clarkson.

All the cars will be out in the open and accessible to everyone - not tucked away in paddocks just for the VIPs.

The event will feature 40 racing bikes and 80 sports and racing cars – vintage, classic and modern day, competing on the new circuit. In addition there will be motorbikes and vintage cars on display in the grounds.

Inshore powerboat racing will take place on the 25 acre mere and helicopters will be flying in and displayed including the famous MASH bubble cabin helicopter and the original Army helicopter, the Skeeter made from canvas and wood.

There will be a trade village with attractions for all the family - picnics, jazz bands, food and champagne tents, shopping, crafts and a funfair.

Tickets are £25 per day for Adults – children under 16 go free, or £40 per adult for a weekend ticket. Ticket Hotline number is 01264 882200 or buy on-line at www.pageantofpower.com

BENTLEY BACK THE PAGEANT OF POWER

03.07.08

Bentley Motors has been announced as a Founder Sponsor of the inaugural Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. The company will have the “Blower” Le Mans team car on display, alongside the latest models: the 2009 model: Continental Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed. The Pageant of Power takes place on August 9th and 10th.

“We are delighted to get involved in this unique event from the off – and we hope to be part of the Pageant for years to come,” said Robin Peel, Bentley Motors’ Head of Marketing. “The Pageant is distinctive, of the highest quality and very English – a bit like Bentley in fact.” The initial sponsorship agreement is for three years.

More than 120 historic sports and racing cars and motorcycles will compete on the newly created, RAC/MSA approved, 1.2 mile course. In addition there will be power boats racing on the lake and one of the UK’s largest collections of private and military helicopters flying in.

The event has been described by the Event Director James Hall as “a rather noisy garden party.” In addition to the mechanical events on and off the track there will be more traditional elements of bars and restaurants and shops of all kinds.

“It is really terrific to have attracted a name like Bentley as our first Founder Sponsor,” continued James Hall. “The Pageant of Power is, we believe, destined to become one of the events of the Cheshire Season and, in time a celebration of cars, boats and planes that will attract national and international competitors and spectators. We really could not have got off to a better start with a wonderful entry and now a wonderful sponsor.”

The event will feature 40 racing bikes and 80 sports and racing cars – vintage, classic and modern day, competing on the new circuit. In addition there will be motorbikes and vintage cars on display in the grounds.

Inshore powerboat racing will take place on the 25 acre mere and helicopters will be flying in and displayed including the famous MASH bubble cabin helicopter and the original Army helicopter, the Skeeter made from canvas and wood.

There will be a trade village with attractions for all the family - picnics, jazz bands, food and champagne tents, shopping, crafts and a funfair.

CHOLMONDELEY CASTLE RACE CIRCUIT IS GO!

10.07.08

Cheshire’s latest motorsport venue took a significant step forward this week as the final touches were laid to the course that will host time trials at August’s Pageant of Power.

Tattenhall resident Stuart Graham, who has the unique distinction of having won TTs on two and four wheels, was among the group who laid out the newly created 1.2 mile Cholmondeley track. Using existing estate roads in the main, the course has more of the spirit of a rally special stage than a modern antiseptic racing circuit.

“The Cholmondeley course will be a demanding test for every competitor” said Mr Graham. “It’s narrow, bounded by natural obstacles – like big oak trees – and with lots of blind brows and adverse cambers. Not everyone will be “going for it” of course – but there should be lots of spectacular action throughout the day. Spectators will be as close to the course as safety permits. Every driver and motorcycle rider will have four runs each day so it’s going to be pretty much non-stop action.”

The inaugural Cholmondeley Pageant of Power will feature 40 bikes and 80 sports and racing cars – vintage, classic and modern day - competing on the new circuit. In addition there will be motorbikes and vintage cars on display in the grounds and, again, every effort has been made to ensure that the public have unfettered access to the machines and their owners.

Inshore powerboat racing will take place on the 25 acre mere and civilian and military helicopters of all kinds will be flying in to one of the UK’s largest gatherings from the “Apocolypse Now” style Huey to the Skeeter made from canvas and wood.

There will be a trade village with attractions for all the family - picnics, jazz bands, food and champagne tents, shopping, crafts and a funfair.

Return to the main Pageant of Power page.

Custom Search

Old Classic Car (C) R. Jones 2023. Content not to be reproduced elsewhere.

Website by ableweb.