Tour Britannia promises to deliver an exceptional experience for all its competitors and will give owners of these beautiful historic cars an opportunity to compete at some of Britain’s finest race circuits. The event will also feature a selection of speed tests at magnificent English stately homes, hill climb and sprint venues.
Tour Britannia will have a convenient central base in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon. Families will be more than welcome to come and enjoy the experience by exploring the sights of Shakespeare’s birthplace, the charming shops and world-renowned theatres.
For the crews, technical and administrative checks will take place in the town on Sunday 4 September before the competition gets underway on Monday morning. From Stratford-upon-Avon, the crews will head to Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, the magnificent ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for over one thousand years. Dating back to Norman times, the estate will provide an unrivalled setting for the first timed speed test, preceded by a break on the historic castle terrace. The route then takes the crews though the fens of Lincolnshire to Cadwell Park, Britain’s ‘mini Nürburgring’. The circuit offers an enormous challenge and drivers looking to conquer the complex twists and turns which wind their way through woods, open parkland, up and down steep hills will need more than a fair share of courage and ability. In contrast, crews then head a few miles down the road to Manby for two separate blasts along the disused runways and perimeter tracks of the ex-RAF station. En route back to Stratford-upon-Avon for the overnight halt are the final speed tests of the day at the ex-RAF base at Swinderby.
Tuesday’s action kicks off at the motor industry’s test track, MIRA, before moving on to one of Britain’s newest and most impressive motor sport venues, Rockingham Motor Speedway. The Northamptonshire venue is set to provide a wealth of atmosphere and action for the crews, who will not only enjoy challenging race facilities but warm hospitality in a blend of historic and modern surroundings. Crews will arrive at Rockingham Castle for morning coffee, taking in the ambience of this impressive royal fortress built by William the Conqueror. A sprint around the Corby venue will be followed by a race around the Rockingham international long circuit. With no fewer than 12 different track configurations, Rockingham provides an unrivalled variety of layouts and, working in conjunction with the circuit management, Tour Britannia has elected to use a 2.4 mile track configuration with crews timed over eight laps. Lunch in the hospitality suites overlooking the circuit will also provide the opportunity to weigh up the competition.
Wednesday’s action takes in a feast of famous speed test venues and each will be run twice, kicking off at the famous Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb. In its centenary year, Shelsley Walsh is one of the oldest motor sport venues in the world, the ‘Monaco’ of all hill climbs that has played host to some of the sports greatest. After two runs up the hill it’s on to another hill climb in the beautiful deer countryside of Loton Park, near Shrewsbury. After lunch, the crews head to Weston Park, the ancestral home of the Earl of Bradford in the heart of the English Midlands, before moving on to the famous sprint venue at Curborough.
Thursday’s grand finale takes the crews from Stratford-upon-Avon on a scenic route to Silverstone, where the Historic Grand Prix Circuit will play host to the climax of Tour Britannia. After a morning of intense competition, a magnificent lunch and prize presentation will be hosted in the Jimmy Brown and BRDC suites, overlooking the famous circuit. (Subject to change)
