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Success for Coventry Festival of Motoring

 

 

13th September, 2007

1918 Ford Model T in Coventry

Coventry's annual Festival of Motoring, staged this year on 1st and 2nd September has been hailed as yet another overwhelming success and a hugely enjoyable weekend. Demonstrating its increasing popularity late applications to take part in the Festival were turned away as this year's event attracted over 540 entrants from all over the UK, eager to share in the celebration of Coventry's outstanding motoring heritage.

Saturday's events were staged in Millennium Place, outside the sweeping entrance to Coventry Transport Museum. A packed audience of spectators enjoyed a wide range of street entertainment and Steve Colley's motorcycle stunt show. Music and dancing groups including a selection of local talent such as the 13th Coventry Scout Band and city based Freeman Dance Group and Dynamite Cheerleaders. A selection of almost 100 fine vehicles was there to represent the very best of British motoring heritage. The day was rounded off by an evening reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Coventry and wonderfully led by motoring writer Graham Robson, with rally driver, Rosemary Smith.

The Sunday programme saw an impressive cavalcade of 540+ vehicles undertaking a 60 mile route around Coventry and North Warwickshire. Entrants were privileged to have the opportunity to visit the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA), experiencing a special section. Drivers were greeted by a warm welcome from residents who hosted a number of street parties around the route, and who really helped to provide a true Festival atmosphere. Back at the War Memorial Park spectators were able to enjoy 30 club marque stands and a number of stunning displays by Steve Colley's motorcycle stunt show and Clown Bluey entertaining the children. The day was brought to a climax as thousands of spectators gathered to welcome the participants back to the Park and applaud various category winning entrants:

* Jaguar Trophy for Oldest Vehicle on the Run: 1902 Wolseley, Michael McNamara from Wolverhampton

* Coventry Transport Museum Trophy for Best Coventry Made Vehicle: 1971 Triumph Herald Estate, David Beechey from Coventry

* Peugeot Trophy for Best Vintage, Veteran or Classic Vehicle: 1939 Riley saloon, David Dudley-Toole from Birmingham

* Lord Mayor's Trophy for Furthest Driven Entrant: Mr Fred Nicklin from Menorca in a 1976 Triumph Spitfire

* Coventry Chamber of Commerce Trophy for Best Motorcycle: 1937 New Imperial, Peter Brown from Coventry

* Delphi Diesel Trophy for Best Commercial Vehicle: 1932 Morgan Delivery Van, Malcolm Bull from Coventry

* People's Choice Winner: 1967 Rolls Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine, Peter Nightingale from Royston in Hertfordshire

* Treasure Hunt Winners: Katie and Matthew Saunders from Southam in a 1986 BMW M535i

Malcolm Oliver, of the Museum and one of the organisers of the event commented "What a brilliant weekend it was. The range of events attracted massive support and the list of entries was a genuine large scale representation of the best of Britain's engineering traditions. All of our partners in the organisation of the Festival are now eagerly looking forward to 2008. The Festival of Motoring has become an important annual event and already we have a long list of car owners eager to take part again next year."

The 2008 Coventry Festival of Motoring is scheduled to take place on the first weekend in September and entry details are likely to be available in the early (northern) Spring.



Other historic vehicle content: here.



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