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, followed 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 a blast along the disused runways and perimeter tracks of the ex-RAF station. En route back to Stratford-upon-Avon for the overnight halt is the final speed test of the day.
Tuesday’s action takes the crews to the home of British motor racing, Silverstone. After three races for the competition crews and five-lap regularities on the National Circuit, the competitors make the short trip to Cornbury Park, the private home of Lord Rotherwick in the heart of the Cotswolds. The estate includes some 6,500 acres of the most ancient forest in Britain and is a protected environment for native wildlife; the perfect setting for our historic competition. Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and just minutes down the road, will then host lunch. Refreshed, crews will return to Cornbury Park for a stage of different configuration, before heading back to Silverstone for more circuit action on the lesser-known Southern Circuit and a late afternoon return to Stratford-upon-Avon. Overnight, there will be no Parc Fermé, leaving competitors free to drive or trailer their cars to Snetterton at their own convenience.
The action at this classic Norfolk tracks starts at 10:00 hrs on Wednesday and will present the opportunity for high-speed driving around a circuit that has been home to all levels of motor racing, including Formula One. Two stages will follow before the well-earned return to Stratford-upon-Avon.
Thursday’s grand finale takes the crews from Stratford-upon-Avon on a scenic route back 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.
Please note the route remains provisional and is subject to change.
