Southport Classic and Speed is returning in style this September with a spectacular two-day event celebrating Southport’s rich motoring and motorsport heritage.
It will recognise the 120th anniversary of the first Southport Speed Trials, which were held along the Promenade in 1903.
This year is also the 60th anniversary of the last Southport Speed Trial, which took place along The Esplanade and Marine Drive in 1963.
Southport Classic and Speed will take place on Saturday 16th September 2023 and Sunday 17th September 2023, with vintage, classic and modern cars of all styles, eras and speeds for the whole family to enjoy.
The event, organised by Aintree Circuit Club, builds on the growing success of previous shows in 2021 and 2022.
This year, for the first time, crowds will be wowed by the Ocean Sprint Revival along a half-mile / 820m section of Marine Drive in Southport on Saturday 16th September, presented by Cataclean and supported by Ocean Plaza Leisure.
This will be a competitive, timed, high-speed event.
Public admission is available to the Competitors Paddock and Designated Viewing Areas will be by pre-paid ticket only which are available via this link.
It will revive the historic sprint course that used parts of Marine Drive up until the early 1960s prior to the establishment of the Coastal Road.
The Ocean Sprint Revival at Southport Classic and Speed. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
This will be run under a Motor Race Order and Speed Permit, issued by Motorsport UK, providing delegated powers to Sefton Council to suspend the Road Traffic Act for the duration of the event.
The Ocean Sprint Revival will see the Marine Drive will be closed between 8am to 5pm.
Practice will run from 10am to 12.30pm with timed high speed runs from 1.30pm onwards.
Sunday 17th September will see the Southport Classic and Speed show taking place at Victoria Park, the home of Southport Flower Show, between 10am and 3pm.
Admission will once again be free, with scores of eye-catching vehicles to admire from the past 120 years of motoring from 1903 to the modern day.
The centrepiece will again be a fabulous themed display of veteran, vintage, classic and modern cars from all periods.
There will be marque and car club displays, plus food and drinks outlets and a shopping village for all the family.
Three rare Vulcan cars at Southport Classic and Speed. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
People throughout the town will then be able to watch the annual Grand Parade, which will start at 3.30pm from Rotten Row next to the park before making its way down towards Lord Street and through Southport town centre. .
The Grand Parade will retrace the original groundbreaking 1903 Southport speed trial course, along the Lord Street boulevard and the Promenade – a fitting finale to the weekend’s events!
Southport will once again come alive to the unique sights, sounds and smells that these cars will create for everyone’s pleasure and enjoyment.
All timings are subject to change.
Southport Classic and Speed is presented by Cataclean.
Event organiser Michael Ashcroft said: “We would love to see people from across the region come and join us to celebrate two real landmarks in motoring history.
“Not only will we be honouring an incredible 120 years since the famous speed trials were held in Southport in 1903.
“We will also be recognising 60 years since the last speed trial which was held in the town in 1963.
The Ocean Sprint Revival at Southport Classic and Speed. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“Southport has an amazing motoring history that not many people know about and we are trying to put it very much back on the map.
“Sir Henry Segrave set the land speed record in Southport in 1926, some of the early cars were built in Southport at the Vulcan factory, and they held the speed trials there.
“Southport Classic and Speed will be celebrating over a century of motoring history featuring Southport’s record breaking motor sporting heritage.
“We have a really good mix of cars coming this year for people to enjoy, in the Ocean Sprint Revival and at Victoria Park and in the Grand Parade.
“It will be really spectacular to see all the cars racing up and down the waterfront.
Southport Classic and Speed. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“The spectator area, along the Southport Sea Wall, is a perfect viewing place. It is elevated, with people able to see the whole course. Southport Pier will be temporarily closed for the event this year.
“The sprint revival will be a ticket only event, with people able to buy tickets online.
“The cars will be going down there as fast as they can, with timings done to the 100th of a second.
“The oldest one taking part will be a 1903 Richard Brasier car, which has a 12 litre aviation engine. That will be an amazing sight to see it racing along Marine Drive.
“Safety is paramount to us and we will have stewards on the course to ensure everyone remains safe.
“The road closure on Saturday will take place from the Southport Pleasureland roundabout to Fairway, from 7am until 6pm, or earlier if possible.”
For more details please visit: www.southportclassicandspeed.com
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