The inaugural Pageant of Power will be shown on Motors TV this week as a selection of the world’s most celebrated, successful and rarest machines strut their stuff in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle.
Set deep in the Cheshire countryside, racing cars, motorcycles, helicopters and powerboats from across the 20th and 21st centuries will demonstrate their speed and agility on the track, in the air and on the water.
From the earliest days of motoring a hundred years ago, the Cholmondeley family has taken a keen interest in the finest vehicles the world’s most glamorous manufacturers had to offer. In particular, The Fifth Marquess and Marchioness were avid collectors of iconic models and to celebrate their passion, the first Pageant of Power will feature a special display of pre-war Alfa Romeos.
But if the appeal of motorsport is rooted in speed then the sight of historic racing machinery hurtling around the purpose built time-trial course should set heart rates pulsing. F1 aficionados will be pleased to see a string of classic single-seaters on display, amongst them a Cooper T51, the first rear-engined car to win the Formula One world championship in 1959. A 1977 Hesketh will also be in action along with Michael Schumacher’s 1992 Benetton B192.
Fans of world sportscars are also catered for right through from the 1950’s with a fabulous array of historic racing machinery on show including an iconic 1965 Ford GT40, awesome Group C stalwart, the Porsche 956 as well as the legendary Derek Bell demonstrating the 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8.
For the rally connoisseur, there’s a packed bill of historic WRC machinery. Paddy Hopkirk’s 1965 Works Mini Cooper S, the all conquering Lancia Stratos and monstrous Group B Ford RS200 will be just some of the cars proving taking to the track.
Fans of two wheels will be equally content with examples ranging from a 1910 Singer right through to the modern day and the cutting edge Suzuki Hyabusa, the world’s fastest production bike.
Unlike your usual festival of motorsport though, the action isn’t solely confined to the race track. The lake that forms part of the Castle’s grounds is commandeered to give a selection of the world’s fastest and most spectacular powerboats the chance to race side-by-side just metres from the bank. Over 50 military and civilian helicopters will also be taking to the skies across the weekend making this an event not to be missed for fans of all things fast and glamorous.
The event is just the latest historic festival to be aired on Motors TV and builds upon the highly successful live coverage of the Silverstone Classic event screened in July.
Coverage of The Cholomondeley Pageant of Power on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) will be shown from Wednesday 3rd September at 6pm. For full listings details visit motorstv.co.uk
