Thousands enjoy spectacular Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival

Andrew Brown
5 Min Read
The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

By Stephen Mosley, Actuarias Art 

Photos by Dave Brown Photography 

Saturday 13th September 2025 saw what may have been the best Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival yet with thousands of spectators attending the free event along Marine Drive. With the Coastal Jam music festival and 24 Hour Dinghy Race also taking place on the same day, there was a steady stream of people between the events with a number of Sprint VIP tickets still being sold throughout the afternoon session.

The event was supported by Liverpool Live Radio. 

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

Once again, the sheer variety of cars entered ensured that there was something for everyone. The Rileys of Andrew Briggs and Simon Thorpe upheld pre-war honours and did so in style, mixing it with much more modern machinery on the timed runs.  

The mid 20th century was well represented from classic Triumphs and Aston Martins via hot versions of 1970s family hatchbacks to  cars from the 1990s. A number of more modern entrants ensured that those whose interests lie in the 21st Century were also catered for. 

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

Southport managed to largely escape the deluges that swept across the country throughout the day with a light shower in the morning being followed by blue skies and a stiff breeze that may have limited outright speed, but helped in drying the track for the afternoon’s timed runs. 

John Metcalfe’s Renault Megane put up a strong showing during the morning practice while Terry Deere’s flamboyant tyre smoking runs in his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus were as effective as they were entertaining. 

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

The equally rapid Rothmans liveried Porsche 911 of Mark Kermode and utterly manic, wide arched Fiat 500 of Ian Medcalf were also notable crowd pleasers.

High Sheriff of Merseyside, Billy Hui BEM attended the event as a VIP guest and performed the ceremonial ‘flag drop’ at the start line. 

VIP Guest at the Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival 2025 was the High Sheriff of Merseyside, Billy Hui BEM. He was a passenger in this fabulous Triumph TR3a sports car entered by Hamish Roscoe. Billy performed the Official Flag Drop at the start line which added a very special touch to the event.

He was then treated to a ride along the course by Hamish Roscoe in his immaculate Triumph TR3a during the parade run. 

In the end it was Laurie Hatchard who retained the title with his Dax Rush Quadra by posting a time of 66.14 seconds, followed by Anthony Adams’ Porsche Cayman with 66.22 seconds and Adrian Kermode who took his 911 to a personal best time of 67.6 seconds. 

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

A potential third timed run was discarded to ensure the road would be re-opened on time with Roger Grimes a little too keen to help with straw bail removal, using his Vauxhall Corsa to redistribute them in the middle of one of the afternoon runs.

Michael Ashcroft, Chairman and Director of Aintree Circuit Club which organised the event said: 

“Thousands of visitors enjoyed the event with people still obtaining tickets in the early afternoon.” 

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

The Cataclean Southport Speed Sprint Revival continues to go from strength to strength.

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