In a throwback to the golden age of motoring, over 100 brightly painted vintage sports cars from the 1920s and 30s will wind their way through some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery for an exhilarating motoring extravaganza not to be missed on Saturday 10 November.
Drivers will gather at the foot of Honister Pass in the Borrowdale valley with a range of
top thoroughbred racing cars including a 1920’s Bugatti Type 23, a 1927 Austin 7 and a 1930’s Chrysler 66 Sports. They will put their motoring skills to the test as part of the hugely popular annual Lakeland Trials event. The motorists will rev their way around tortuous hair bends to the entrance at Honister, where they will then take on the steep quarry road that leads up the side of Fleetwith Pike.
Honister is the only location on the rally’s route that allows spectators onto the climb, making it the best viewpoint combining the most challenging circuit in the day-long trial set against the most dramatic backdrop. The cars will gather at Honister early in the morning to be scrutinised to ensure road worthiness and correct vintage, before tackling the tough quarry road more used to seeing sturdy Land Rovers than classic sports cars.
The 4-stage event is organised by the Vintage Sports Car Club and takes in spectacular scenery around Buttermere, Keswick and Whinlatter.
Joe Weir, Co-owner of Honister Slate Mine, says; “It’s such a brilliant event, I love hearing the revving of the engines as they take on the tough quarry road, more used to our Land Rovers and JCBs going up and down!
I don’t know what the miners, working here in the 30s would have made of it, I doubt many of them would’ve seen so many expensive high-performance cars up close! It’s getting more and more popular every year and there are always some great characters braving the elements in their vintage cars. It’s not just about motoring enthusiasts either – we’re expecting a wide range of people coming to watch this unusual spectacle in a heritage setting throughout the day.”
Vehicles will be arriving at Honister Slate Mine – England’s oldest working slate mine and year round adventure attraction from 8.30am onwards on Saturday 10 November 2018. Tasty cakes, warm soup and drinks will be available for spectators to purchase throughout the day at Honister Slate Mine’s Sky High Café.
