Glam do at castle in Cheshire
The calm of the British countryside will come alive with the roar of powerful engines on 9 and 10 August as the first Pageant of Power gets under way at Cholmondeley Castle, South Cheshire.
Historic and modern cars of every variety – including the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley – will set records on a newly-created course through the grounds.
Powerboats will race on the mere and the UK’s largest gathering of modern and historic helicopters will fly in.
But the pageant is more than petrolhead heaven.
Celebrities have been invited to the glitzy bash and there will be champagne and a top class seafood restaurant dishing up local specialities.
Bands will play and the trade village will create a shopping destination for all the family.
Pageant Director James Hall says: “Although the focus is inevitably on the cars, boats and planes, we have deliberately set out to create an event that anyone will enjoy.
“The wonderful thing about Cholmondeley is that the grounds and gardens are among the most beautiful in England.
“If people just want to bring along a picnic, spread a rug and watch the events taking place below and above them I guarantee they will have a wonderful day out.”
The organisers are aiming to create an informal event, with no fenced off paddocks so that visitors can get close to the huge variety of machinery, and the owners, drivers and pilots.
James Hall adds: “While safety is of paramount importance, when the machines are stationary we want our guests to be able to mingle with the competitors. Our aim is to create a slightly noisier than normal garden party!”
The fastest accelerating machine there may not be a car or a plane, but a catamaran capable of 0-100mph in 4.5 seconds, slightly quicker than a modern F1 car.
Lord Cholmondeley himself is an enthusiastic supporter of the Pageant of Power which follows a family enthusiasm for classic cars.
“My grandparents were avid collectors of fine vehicles in the early 20th Century,” he said. “They owned models by Alfa Romeo, Hispano-Suiza and Rolls-Royce. They were friends with Ettore Bugatti and he was commissioned to build them a number of iconic cars.”
Buy tickets via the website www.pageantofpower.com
