Supercars descend on Cholmondeley

This week sees the return of the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, with the famous Cheshire show expected to have its biggest and best year yet. With more race cars, supercars, more motorcycles, more helicopters, more powerboats and more interactive features.

Opening today (Friday, June 15) and running over the weekend, the on-track action will again be a centrepiece for the three-day event, with a packed schedule of timed sprints and parade runs taking place on the venue’s 1.2-mile circuit.

With an eclectic mix of classic and new vehicles, competition to set a new Cholmondeley circuit lap record will be intense this year, and the fastest time is expected by one of the entrants in the new-for-this-year timed Supercar class.  Entrants will include the  Lamborghini Aventador and new Porsche 911 Carrera S, and dedicated single-seat track cars such as the British-built BAC Mono and Ariel Atom V8. 

The Pageant of Power will also give visitors the chance to see a large selection of modern and classic supercars during the many parade laps throughout the weekend, including the stunning Aston Martin One-77 – one of only five registered in the UK – and the beautiful race-inspired Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic AC Cobra, the Pageant will host the largest gathering of the Anglo-American sports car in the UK this year, in a special display entitled ‘Cobras at the Castle’.  The event is also introducing a special race category – the ‘AC Cobra 50th Anniversary Class’ – that will see the most famous Cobras, including one of only three ‘Lightweight Cobras’ ever built, compete for top race honours.

Bond fans rejoice

James Bond fans are sure to be shaken and stirred as Pageant organisers have partnered with the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, to display a thrilling line-up of genuine Bond cars.  Cars on show will include the vanishing Aston Martin V12 Vanquish from ‘Die Another Day’, complete with its twin .50-calibre autocannons, rocket projectiles, dorsal target-seeking shotguns, and a passenger ejector seat.  Also on show will be the Jaguar XKR and Ice Dragster driven by Bond-villains Zao and Gustav Graves in ‘Die Another Day’, and the beautiful BMW Z8 from ‘The World Is Not Enough’.

Taking to the skies will be the ever-popular Tri-Services Helicopter Agility competition, the only public demonstration of its type in the UK, together with an air-sea rescue display by RAF Valley.  Bringing added thrills will be the famous Red Arrows, Breitling Wing Walkers, Abarth 300L stunt planes and the RedHawks Duo display team.

Now in its fifth year, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power will take place on the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June, with day passes for the event starting from just £26 for an adult and £5 for a child when ordered in advance.  To buy tickets or find further information, visit www.cpop.co.uk.