[11 SEP 06]
Coventry Festival of Motoring Success

Coventry’s annual Festival of Motoring, staged this year on 2 and 3 September has been hailed as yet another overwhelming success and a hugely enjoyable weekend.

Demonstrating its increasing popularity latecomer applications to take part in the Festival were being turned away as this year’s event attracted over 500 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. Despite the light rain a packed audience of spectators enjoyed a wide range of street entertainment and a tightrope walker stunt show. Music and dancing groups including an admirable selection of local talent such as the 13th Coventry Scout Band and city based break dancing group the Kombat Breakers. 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 wonderfully led by motoring writer Graham Robson, with his special guest, owner of the Donington Collection, Tom Wheatcroft, and hosted by the Lord Mayor of Coventry.

The Sunday programme saw an impressive cavalcade of 500+ vehicles undertaking a 60 mile route around Coventry and North Warwickshire. Drivers were greeted by a warm welcome from residents who hosted a number of street parties around the route, and who really helped to create 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 the world famous Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team and stunt cyclist, Jez Avery and Bonham’s International Auctioneers provided free valuations for motoring and general memorabilia. The day was brought to a stunning climax as thousands of spectators gathered to welcome the participants back to the Park and applaud various category winning entrants.

Malcolm Oliver, of the Museum and one of the main organisers of the event commented :

“What a brilliant weekend it was. Sunday was a day of glorious sunshine; 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 2007. 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 2007 Coventry Festival of Motoring is scheduled to take place on 1 and 2 September and entry details are likely to be available in the early Spring.

For more information please contact Nicola Roach, Development Officer 024 7623 4270, or nicola.roach@transport-museum.co.uk.

NEWS ARCHIVE

• 03 JUL 06 : COVENTRY FESTIVAL OF MOTORING STEPS UP A GEAR
• 13 MAR 06 : COVENTRY FESTIVAL OF MOTORING RETURNS

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