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Prescott Hill Climb – Annual French Motoring Festival


60 Jonathan Rose Aylesbury Bugatti T13 Brescia 1500 1923

60 Jonathan Rose Aylesbury Bugatti T13 Brescia 1500 1923

 

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2014

The annual French invasion of ‘La Vie en Bleu’ (Life in Blue) makes a welcome return to Prescott Hill Climb on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2014. This year sees many of its regular competitors plus some wonderful surprises including Amilcars, fresh from their UK rally, Voisins including the hill climber and Gerin, and a regular London to Brighton entrant - a Panhard Levassor with a 4 cylinder engine and tonneau body.

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If those cars have wetted your appetite – here comes the ‘Cours Principal’ ...

Three confirmed Bugatti Veyron’s courtesy of Jack Barclay. If you have only seen a Bugatti Veyron on BBC Top Gear, here is your opportunity to ‘get up close’ and witness its unforgettable sight and sound. Each day, one lucky visitor  that participates in the Friends of Prescott raffle will be the envy of every ‘Veyronite’ –  and will win a memorable ride in a Veyron.

The Super Sport version of the Veyron is considered the fastest street-legal production care in the world and boasts a top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph). It was named ‘Car of the Decade’ for 2000 – 2009 by BBC television’s ‘Top Gear’ programme - with the standard Bugatti Veyron winning the programme’s ‘Best Car Driven All Year’ award for 2005.

Roland Duce will be competing in his beautiful Delahaye 135M, and also thrilling us with his Bugatti Type 57.  The original T57 and later versions were designed by Jean Bugatti and were built between 1934 and 1940, with 710 being made.

Roland’s ‘type 57’ exotic bodywork was designed by Gangloff in the early 1930’s; however nobody was brave or rich enough to place an order. More recently the owner of a type 57 chassis took the plunge and got one built. Believe it or not the original designer now in his 90’s came over to England to supervise the build.

Popular driver Richard Scaldwell will be plying his 1919 wood GN cycle car chassis and ET Willows 1908, 5112cc/3111 cui JAP V8 up the climb hoping to ‘shave’ off some time.  Watch out for this GN JAP Grand Prix special.

Entertainment, is distinctly French themed with the beautiful and talented can-can dancers, live music, a Parisienne 1920’s Renault bus, brave stilt walkers, an accordion player – reminiscent of Monsieur Alfonse played by Kenneth Connor in the 1980’s television show ‘Allo Allo’; Perhaps you may spot Renee Artois loitering in the café or chasing the waitresses! Even the Gendarmes will be there! ‘Le Shopping’ – a French style shopping village with food, art, and of course French berets. Food and drink will be French influenced with crepes and plat du jour.

Other treats in store include – De Dion tricycles, Les Grands Routiers “Delage & Hotchkiss” and a plethora of rare and eclectic cars, and of course Bugatti’s. 

Bugatti gravity racers will be on display – T35 and tank. The Bugatti trust will be open both days of the festival.

In addition - a wide variety of car clubs have confirmed their attendance, and will have displays in the Orchard including:-

  • Club Alpine Renault, Renault sport Clio Trophy owners club, Renault Alpine Owners Club and Renault Owners Club
  • SIMCA and Matra Enthusiasts
  • Citroen Car Club, combined with Traction Owners Club and 2CVGB Owners Club
  • TVR Club Midlands and TVR Club Oxford
  • Peugeot Sport Cars UK and Club Peugeot
  • Southern Division Rhocar, C10C Car Club, Cotswold Car Club, Pembleton Cars, Motor.net and Rover 75 & ZT, VSCC, Delage, Hotchkiss, Voisin and Teal owners club

Trivia: The pre-war Grand Prix racing era saw nations racing under a specific colour – Germany raced in white, Great Britain in green and France raced in blue – hence the link to ‘Le Vie en Bleu’

Notes to editors:

Address: Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Nr Cheltenham GL52 9RD

Tickets Prices for this spectacular event are a modest £15 in advance for an adult and includes up to 3 children or £20 for 2 adults and 3 children.

With so much to see and do, why not make a weekend of it – camping just £5 per adult per night with children half price.

Ticket Prices:

Weekend ticket for 2 adults & up to 3 children                  £35
Weekend ticket for 1 adult & up to 3 children                   £25
Single day for 2 adults & up to 3 children                         £20
Single adult ticket & up to 3 children                                £15

For further event information, to purchase advance tickets, or book a trade stand please visit: www.prescott-hillclimb.com