Iconic 1924 Lyons Grand Prix Type 35 Bugatti at Bournemouth Wheels Festival

One of the most beautiful racing cars of all time, the iconic 1924 Lyons Grand Prix Type 35 Bugatti, is set to create a fantastic fanfare at the new Bournemouth Wheels Festival (24-26 May 2014) as it drives the demonstration course.

Bournemouth Tourism has teamed up with The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu to bring this rare piece of motoring history to the inaugural Wheels Festival, billed as the UK’s biggest FREE wheels-themed family festival.

The Type 35 Bugatti was the groundbreaking, superior racing car of its era, which achieved countless victories in the years 1924 to 1930 to make it one of the most successful 8-cylinder in-line engine racing cars of all time.

Jon Weaver, Bournemouth Wheels Festival Director, said: “To have such an iconic vehicle at the first Wheels Festival is an amazing coup and I’m sure this racing car alone will be a big draw for Festival-goers. It is brilliant to have The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu supporting the event and we can’t wait to see the Type 35 Bugatti join other pre-war cars, F1 cars, Le Mans cars, supercars and Moto GP bikes on the exciting Demonstration Straight.”

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu will also bring two additional pre-war cars to the Festival, which can be seen in a marquee on the seafront close to Boscombe Beach (Undercliff Drive) during the three day event. These are the luxurious and stylish 1935 Auburn 851 and 1939 Rolls-Royce Alpine Eagle, a sporting version of the Silver Ghost, which was named because the Rolls-Royce team swept the board in the 1913 Austrian Alpine Trials.

And that’s not all, the national motor museum will also be running a daily People’s Choice competition from its marquee on the seafront in which Festival-goers are encouraged to vote for their favourite vintage or pre-war car. They will also receive an exclusive Wheels Festival offer of discounted entry to the motor museum when they vote. The winning car owner will then get to drive down the Demonstration Straight in one of the fantastic cars and receive one of three unique trophies to mark their success in the Beaulieu People’s Choice Award.

Nik Wyness, Senior Marketing Manager at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, said: “Being home to one of the finest collections of historic automobiles in the world, it is appropriate for Beaulieu to support the inaugural Wheels Festival and the People’s Choice award. We hope the festival will fire new interest in motoring heritage among visitors; allowing them to appreciate the dedication of classic car owners and the work of the National Motor Museum in the conservation, preservation and display of historic machines.”

The Demonstration Straight will be the first time a UK coastal destination has created a specially-made course. This unmissable event highlight will see groups, of cars tear along the circuit in two three hour demonstration shows from 11am-6pm Saturday and Sunday and 11am-5pm on Monday. Plus, there will be a supercar and pre-war vintage cavalcades! Other prestigious cars joining the Type 35 Bugatti on the circuit include:

Michael Schumacher’s 1992 Bennetton1989 Camel Lotus 1011984 Toleman once driven by Ayrton Senna.Ferrari Daytona Competition raced by Maranello Concessionaires in the 1970sFerrari TRC 500Ford GT40 raced by Jochen Rindt and Lotus Formula One driver Innes Ireland.2001 Orange Arrows A22 driven by Jos Verstappen,1987 Arrows A10 Megatron Turbo driven by former British racing driver Derek Warwick.

As well as all of this, the 1920s Bournemouth Pavilion will host a pre-war and vintage car display celebrating the early years of motoring, featuring more than 100 exceptional cars such as Bentley, Talbot, MG, Alvis, Riley, Frazer Nash and many more.


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