Simply Super Simply Smart

A colourful collection of Smart cars brightened up the Beaulieu Arena in the grounds of the National Motor Museum on Remembrance Sunday for the second ever Simply Smart rally.

All Smart car owners were invited to drive their quirky motors to Beaulieu, display their vehicles in its picturesque parkland, and enjoy all the delights of the attraction, whilst getting the chance to meet other like-minded enthusiasts and admire their vehicles.

A wonderful variety of models were on show, from the more everyday Fortwos and City-Coupés to the sportier looking Roadsters and Crossblades, decorated with all sorts of colourful graphics and designs.

Decorated Smart Car dashboard

This event was again well supported by owners’ club, SmartManiacs, with a large number of their members attending. At the club’s request, the event is always held around the time of Remembrance Sunday, with this year’s rally taking place on the day itself. As a fitting tribute and a mark of respect, Sue and Peter Taylor brought along their ‘Poppy’ Smart car, decorated with red poppy graphics, to display in the Front Hall of the National Motor Museum for the day.

The whole Beaulieu attraction also took part in a two minute silence at 11am, which visitors were invited to join.
 

People's Choice winner Sue Toogood
with her pink Smart Fortwo

Throughout the day, visitors to Beaulieu were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite Smart car on display in the People’s Choice Award. The winner was Sue Toogood from Bargoed, South Wales with her striking Smart Fortwo Passion in an eye-catching pearlescent pink. Sue, who has owned the vehicle for seven years, was presented with a special 60th anniversary edition Beaulieu Trophy by Beaulieu’s Events Co-ordinator, Thomas Reinhold. Sue uses the vehicle to help raise money for charity and has participated in the annual Pink Car Rally five times to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust, a charity devoted to helping young cancer sufferers cope with hair loss.

Sue and four finalists drove in a cavalcade through the grounds of the Beaulieu attraction, to Lord Montagu’s family home, Palace House, where they displayed their cars for a unique photo opportunity.

Simply Smart is part of a growing calendar of Simply rallies which has expanded to include a wide variety of themes covering many makes and models. All Simply rallies are run and organised by Beaulieu and take place in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.

This event was sponsored by specialist motor insurance broker Adrian Flux. The next Simply Smart rally is scheduled for Sunday 10th November 2013. Further information will be available from www.beaulieuevents.co.uk nearer the time.