Beaulieu Goes Classic Car Crazy For Simply Classics, Sunday 26th August 2012

As part of its exciting event-filled August Bank Holiday Weekend, Beaulieu is looking forward to welcoming a host of classic cars to its picturesque parkland on Sunday 26th August for Simply Classics.

The rally, now in its second year, is open to all pre-1986 classic car and bikes, whether concours or classic. Owners have the opportunity to bring their vehicles to participate in the event, meet other like-minded enthusiasts, admire their vehicles and listen to the jazz band playing sets throughout the day.

Visitors to Beaulieu on that day will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite vehicle on display in the People’s Choice Awards. In the afternoon a cavalcade of the most popular vehicles will take place around the Beaulieu attraction, and the winning vehicle and runner up will be announced in a prize-giving ceremony. The winning vehicle owner will receive a coveted special 60th anniversary edition Beaulieu Trophy, and the runner up, a trophy sponsored by Beaulieu-based Vintage Tyres in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Classic car owners can also choose to take part in the concours competition, which will take place in the early afternoon, by applying in advance, either by filling in the application form, available at www.beaulieuevents.co.uk  and returning it to tom.reinhold@beaulieu.co.uk or by telephoning 01590 614610.

As an exciting new addition to this year’s event, two powerful vintage racing cars will be on display for classic car enthusiasts to admire, courtesy of their proud owner, Chris Williams. One is a Packard-Bentley, affectionately nicknamed “Mavis”, which boasts a 42 litre Packard V12 engine. Its matt black finish and v-shaped grille make this a stunning vehicle well worth seeing. It will be accompanied by a Napier Bentley – a 1968 one-off special build vintage racing car with a 24 litre Napier Sea Lion W12 aeroplane engine. The engine has three banks of four very large stub exhausts, one of which points straight out of the side of the car. When it’s started up, the sound is likened to a World War I bi-plane!

Participants can also enjoy all the delights of the Beaulieu attraction, including the museum’s one-year-only exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, showcasing 50 vehicles from the James Bond films, which includes arguably one of the most iconic and beautiful classics of all time, the Aston Martin DB5, from Goldeneye.

For entrants arriving on the day in their classic car and participating in the event, individual ticket prices are £10 per adult and £5 per child.

Book advance tickets online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk or on telephone number 01590 612888, which you can also call for information on group/club entry. For all enquiries regarding trade stands, telephone 01590 614614.

Entry into the Beaulieu parkland with your classic car is from 9.30am, when refreshments will be available.

All other visitors who wish to see the event, but not participate in a classic car should enter Beaulieu via the Main Reception from 10am at normal attraction admission prices.

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

Following Simply Classics, Beaulieu will continue to motor through the Bank Holiday Weekend, kicking into high gear for its action-packed Supercar Showdown on Bank Holiday Monday 27th August, featuring over 85 exquisite supercars, revving up to take part in a Demonstration Run through the parkland.

For more information on all of Beaulieu’s events in August please visit www.beaulieuevents.co.uk

Simply Classics is sponsored by specialist motor insurance broker Adrian Flux.