What is Southport Classic and Speed?
Thousands of people are expected to head to Southport to enjoy a brand new event celebrating some of the greatest cars and other vehicles ever made.
The centrepiece of the event will be a fabulous, themed display of around 250 veteran, vintage, classic and modern cars from all periods at Victoria Park, followed by a grand parade along Lord Street and the promenade, the location of the original 1903 Speed Trial course.
Admission to the event is free. Added attractions will include marque and car club displays, local crafts, food and drink stalls and a shopping village.
The stunning showcase is being organised by Aintree Circuit Club, which already runs the very successful Ormskirk Motorfest in Lancashire.
The event is sponsored by Cataclean and supported by Porsche Centre Preston.
Where does Southport Classic and Speed take place?
Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 1RX.
When is Southport Classic and Speed?
Enjoy the event at Victoria Park between 10am and 5pm on 10th October, 2021.
It will be followed by a grand parade through Southport town centre.
Southport Classic and Speed Parade
Scores of eye-catching vehicles from throughout the eras will make their way for a rolling parade through Southport town centre starting at 5.30pm.
The route has been chosen specially to pay homage to the Southport Speed Trials of 1903.
The Speed Trials saw female motor racing pioneer Dorothy Levitt, known as ‘the fastest girl on earth’, forge her reputation.
The cars will come out of Victoria Park from the Rotten Row entrance. They will then thread their way along Lord Street, before turning left at Leicester Street.
“The parade will then make its way up the Promenade and past Bliss Hotel where Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Carragher, will perform the ceremonial flag drop. A commentary unit will also be in place outside Bliss Hotel.
“Some cars may do one lap, some may do two, turning down Kingsway and back onto Lord Street.
The parade will be led by Porsches from Porsche Centre Preston, one of the supporters of our event.
What cars will be on display?
Enjoy around 250 fascinating cars from three centuries of motoring.
They include a number of pre First World War vehicles, including an 1886 Benz, an 1899 Hurtu, a 1901 Albion, a 1903 Darraqc, a 1911 Renault, a 1910 Sunbeam, and a 1903 Gladiator – a similar car to the one driven by Dorothy Levitt when she forged her reputation as ‘the fastest girl on Earth’ at the Land Speed Trials in 1903.
There will be a number of car clubs in attendance which are bringing their incredible collections of cars. They include: Aintree Circuit Club, The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, the Bentley Drivers Club, Bristol Owners Club, West Lancs Austin 7 Club, Pre War Austin 7 Club, UK Hotcars, Preston and District Vintage Car Club, and many more.
The 60th anniversary of Jaguar E-type and Mini-Cooper will be a main attraction.
Porsche Centre Preston will be bringing along some Porsche classics.
Sandgrounder Radio will be there with their Routemaster bus.
Where is the best place to park?
The main entrance to the show at Victoria Park in Southport is just across the road from the Esplanade / Eco Centre car park, which charges £5 per vehicle. The car park is open 10am–7pm.
Southport Classic and Speed organiser Mike Ashcroft says:
“The whole event is designed to bring more people into Southport. It extends the season for the town.
“We estimate that around 10,000 people will turn up to enjoy the Southport Classic and Speed event at Victoria Park and to see the parade of cars in town, similar numbers to our first Motorfest which was held in Ormskirk.
“We are bringing visitors into Southport which will benefit many local businesses.
“This will be a really unique spectacle. People coming to Victoria Park will have never seen lots of the cars on display there in their lifetime.”
Who organises Southport Classic and Speed?
Southport Class and Speed is brought to you by Aintree Circuit Club, and is presented by Cataclean www.Cataclean.com and is supported by Porsche Centre Preston www.porschepreston.co.uk The event is also supported by Sefton Council, Southport BID and Victoria Park Events.
Southport Classic and Speed links
For more details please visit: www.southportclassicandspeed.com or visit the Southport Classic and Speed page on Facebook.
Southport Classic and Speed Awards and Judging Panel.
The Judging Panel for 2021 is:
Michael Barton – Motoring Historian and Publisher
Edward Brown – Vintage Bentley and Ferrari Expert
Martyn Griffiths – Southport Motoring Historian and Vintage Era Expert
Richard Peacock – Aintree Circuit Club Vice President and Historic F1 driver – E types
David White – all things Veteran, Vintage and Classic
Bernard Williamson – recently retired Chairman – The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain
Awards will be presented as follows:
BEST IN SHOW
BEST PRE 1918
BEST PRE WAR UP TO 1939
BEST POST WAR TO 1966
BEST 1966-90
BEST POST 1990
BEST E-TYPE
BEST BENTLEY
BEST ROLLS-ROYCE
BEST MOTORCYCLE
The Awards presentation will take place at 1.45pm in the Colloseum , close to the Gladiator, Benz and Darracq Veteran Car Display.
Southport’s Motor Sporting Heritage
WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD 1926
152mph on Ainsdale Beach
SIR HENRY SEGRAVE,
SUNBEAM TIGER
2021 marks the 95th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of Segrave’s birth.
SOUTHPORT SPEED TRIALS 1903
Southport Promenade
MISS DOROTHY LEVITT
“The fastest girl on Earth”
Dorothy was the first British lady ever to take part in a competitive speed event and she won her class…right here in Southport!
Southport teacher Hannah Gomersall will be at the event, dressed as Dorothy Levitt, with an historic Gladiator car.
SAND RACING
Sand racing took place on Southport Beach throughout the 1920s and 1930s and again in the 1960s, 70s and 80s and many motor car manufacturers were based in and around the town in the early years of the 20th century.
Southport is truly a trail-blazing pioneer in world motoring and motor sporting history.
The Classic and Speed event will celebrate that history, in the spirit of record breaking Sir Henry Segrave and the amazing Dorothy Levitt.
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