A CONCOURS FOR ALL THE FAMILY
The Heveningham Hall Concours d’Elegance in Suffolk is a must for petrolheads, but also offers a massive amount to keep the non-enthusiasts in your family busy
IF YOU HAVE EVER suffered from having a family that doesn’t quite share your enthusiasm for attending motoring events, then Heveningham Hall is the answer. This Concours d’Elegance, which is now in its third year, takes place at the same time as the 5000-acre Georgian estate hosts its long-standing charity country fair, meaning a whole weekend of fun for all the family.
The concours has rapidly established itself as a must-see fixture on the motoring calendar and is fast gaining a reputation for the outstanding pedigree of the 50 cars exhibited each year on dramatic grass terraces designed by renowned landscape architect Kim Wilkie.
The cars are judged in three categories – best pre-war, post-war and supercar – and last year the judges (Ian Callum, J Mays and Max Hunt) awarded top honours to a 1935 Frazer Nash twinsupercharged single-seater, a 1966 Ford GT40 and a 1971 Lamborghini Miura.
Details of many of this year’s entries are still under wraps but a few cars have already broken cover, the pack led by Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason’s sublime 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and 1959 Maserati T61 Birdcage, plus Peter Mullin’s 1939 Delage D8-120 Cabriolet that featured in the Gene Kelly movie
Others include a beautiful 1927 Bugatti T37 Grand Prix, 1949 Ferrari 166 Superleggera (only the ninth road car ever made by the iconic marque), and a 1974 Lancia Stratos.
Launched last year and returning for 2018 is a separate aviation concours
featuring some of the world’s rarest aeroplanes. Taking the top award last year was an exacting recreation of a 1918 Sopwith Snipe. This year’s exhibitors include two Spitfires (a MkXI and MkXVI), a Percival Mew Gull, a Dragon Rapide and Ryan PT 22. A Spitfire and Buchon will perform ‘dog fight’ flypasts in the skies above the event on both days.
The country fair sees attractions in the air, on the water and in the rolling 5000-acre Capability Brown parkland, including Stampede Horses, Terrier Racing and the Shetland Pony Grand National, plus Suffolk Punches, a Dog Show and much more. On the lake there’s speedboating, and up at the airfield, as well as the aviation concours, there are over 100 light aircraft taking off and landing throughout the weekend.
Other highlights include the Wall of Death, bungee jumping, classic cars, tractor parade and a range of motor manufacturers in the motor village. There is live music throughout the weekend plus shopping and a wide variety of locally produced food and drink. During the centenary of the RAF, the event is delighted to have flypasts on both days. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW…
What Heveningham Hall Concours d’Elegance and Country Fair.
Where Heveningham Hall is about seven miles north of Saxmundham in Suffolk. Nearest major road is the A12. When 30 June to 1 July, 10am to 5pm.
How much Visitors need to buy tickets to the country fair (a family ticket for two adults and up to three children is £35 in advance) and then pay £10 for a catalogue that will admit four people to the concours d’elegance.
More info www.countryfair.co.uk or www.heveninghamconcours.com.