26.7.10

Headline sponsor was again nearby Crewe based, Bentley Motors who are in the final year of their 3 year commitment to the event displaying an original ‘20’s blower alongside an ’03 Le Mans spec EXP8, whilst their Head of Engineering, Dr Ulrich Eichhorn, showed product familiarity with a GT Supersports road car, achieving 6th fastest time on the 1.2 mile sprint. Breitling provided watches for class winners and overall FTD, whilst their wing-walking team entertained both days, complemented by the Battle of Britain memorial flight Spitfire and a Provost Strikemaster on the Saturday.

Ferraris competing included Ben Cussons superb 250SWB, David Cottingham’s much raced 500TRC, James Martin’s recently acquired 275GTB/4, Rick Hall in the Donington Collection’s Thinwall Special and Kevin Wheatcroft at the wheel of one of his father’s favourite cars, the 1952 500/625 - driven by Alberto Ascari, to his World Championship title that same year and more recently, by ace preparer Rob Hall, in the 60 years of Ferrari/Shell commercial.

Maserati was represented by event patron Alan Minshaw in his ’59 Birdcage, Lancia by Andrew Ferguson’s Stratos Stradale and Justin Law’s Delta Integrale, whilst historic racer Barrie Baxter, provided much interest, with his 2005 Ducati Desmosedici Moto GP.

Incidents were thankfully minimal and with informed commentary from Neville Hay (aided and abetted by Barrie “Whizzo” Williams), there was definitely something for everyone  amongst the 68 cars and 43 bikes, who took either timed or demonstration runs.

For those more marine minded, there were rounds of the RYA Formula 4 Catamaran and Hydroplane Championships on the Deer Park lake whilst adjacent to the track, was a broad spectrum of privately owned helicopters.

This year’s Pageant of Power was memorable for 3 reasons: Tom, Brutus and Mavis. Let me explain….

• Tom – is the late Tom Wheatcroft - owner of Donington Park and Collection - one of the globe’s foremost collections of Grand Prix cars. His enthusiasm for all things automotive was celebrated by his eldest son Kevin, and 2 of his close friends, father and son, Rick and Rob Hall. Over the weekend they demonstrated 8 cars from the Collection and a further 5 lent by customers, including several of Tom’s favourites - the Maserati 8CM, BRM V16 and Vanwall as well as Umberto Rossi’s Alfa Romeo P3, Aba Kogan’s D Type Auto Union and Matra 670.
  
  
• Brutus – was on his first trip outside Germany, from his home at Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim. Conceived as a promotional tool by the Museum’s engineering team, lead by Joerg Holzwarth, they successfully (!) mated an 1908 La France chassis to BMW’s largest ever engine, a 47 litre V12, used in various German sea-plane applications during the mid 20’s. Driven over the weekend by Joerg, the car proved fit for purpose….despite only having rear wheel braking!
  
  
• Mavis – is the name of Bentley Napier owner Chris Williams superb new creation. Constructed over the last 7 years, this former bike racer and Bentley enthusiast, has mated an 8 litre pre war Bentley chassis, to a 42 litre V12 Packhard engine weighing almost 1¼ tonne and generating 1500 bhp! Attracting considerable attention over the weekend, the workmanship and attention to detail are much deserving of recognition…though Chris would probably accept a years supply of fuel and tyres!!

With more than 40,000 visitors over the weekend, hopefully the event now has a firm foundation for the future… just like the location for my next postcard – Silverstone and the reinvigorated Silverstone Classic.