[13 MAR 06]
Coventry Festival of Motoring Returns

Coventry has a long history of hosting spectacular motoring events and last year’s inaugural Festival of Motoring was no disappointment. The weekend Festival proved to be a huge success, attracting almost 500 entrants and thousands of spectators along a stunning route through beautiful countryside in Coventry and Warwickshire. We are delighted to confirm that the event will take place again this year, on 2 and 3 September 2006 - the second time Coventry Transport Museum and partners CVOne have organised the event in this new look format.

Arrangements are underway to build on the success of last year and organise another memorable event. Hundreds of participants are expected to travel from all over the UK and abroad to take part in the Festival with their cars and motorcycles - admirers of Veteran, Vintage or Classic cars and bikes should not miss this fantastic opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts. But the Festival is much more than a get together for enthusiasts - the whole family can enjoy a packed programme of free entertainment and the amazing spectacle of hundreds of cars and motorcycles looking their very best.

The Festival will kick off on Saturday 2 September with live entertainment, fun family activities and a display of entrants’ cars staged in Millennium Place, outside the impressive frontage of Coventry Transport Museum. During the afternoon spectators will have the opportunity to vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ prize for the car they would most like to take home, and to enter a draw to win a ride in one of the Museum’s historic cars at a future date. The Museum will also be open to visitors, who will be able to see the results of a £6.9million expansion, including four brand new galleries, with admission absolutely free!

On Saturday evening the Lord Mayor of Coventry will again host a Reception Dinner at the Museum with guest speakers to be confirmed. The highlight of the Festival will be on Sunday 3 September when all the vehicles will take part in a 50-mile route around the region, flagged off by the Lord Mayor of Coventry. Last year the participants received a rousing reception from spectators along the route who held their own street parties and organisers are encouraging local residents to recreate that fantastic Festival atmosphere and give the cars and motorcycles a warm greeting as they drive past. The cars will then return to Coventry’s War Memorial Park where a packed programme of entertainment is planned to run throughout the day.

Speaking on behalf of the Organising Committee, Museum Deputy Chief Executive Malcolm Oliver said :

"Last year’s Festival of Motoring was a brilliant weekend for all concerned. The weather was fantastic and the support received from entrants and spectators alike was phenomenal. Coventry Transport Museum, and our partners in the organisation of the event, are proud to be involved again this year and are looking forward to hosting another memorable Festival in 2006. We have already had a record number of enquiries from previous entrants who enjoyed last year so much they are clamoring to repeat the experience!"

Details of the route and programme of entertainment are to be confirmed in the near future. For information on how to enter please contact Nicola Roach, telephone 024 7623 4270, or email nicola.roach@transport-museum.co.uk.

Coventry Transport Museum
Millennium Place
Hales Street
Coventry CV1 1PN

T 024 7623 4270
F 024 7623 4284
E  info@festival-of-motoring.co.uk