World of wheels hits the streets
ORMSKIRK was full of some amazing vehicles from throughout the age of the car at Ormskirk Motorfest.
Local photographer Gary Sargent of 127media.com was there to capture this magnificent event, and today we bring you more pictures from a day which was enjoyed by more than 30,000 people.
About 300 cars and motorcycles covering more than a century of motoring and automotive history were on display in Ormskirk town centre and Coronation Park.
Stars of the show included drivers from the US and Europe in Formula 1 stock cars, and the Bentley Drivers Club, which brought a model of Bentley for every decade starting from the 1920s.
The University of Bolton’s centre for advanced performance engineering brought a Ginetta G40, and professional racing driver Anna Walewska.
The American Auto Club North West brought vehicles, including a Chevrolet Impala and a Dodge Charger, and there were also Ferraris, Porsches and even bubble cars.
Many took part in parade laps with former Top Gear presenter Steve Berry commentating to keep the crowds informed about the cars going around the town centre.
Steve also used his expert eye as one of the judges in the Concours d’Elegance competition, which saw some of the best presented cars competing for prizes in individual classes.
The overall winner was Dave Thomas’s Kawasaki A1R, which was the first Kawasaki to win a race in the UK when Dave rode it at Cadwell Park in 1967.
Motorfest is a free event organised by Aintree Circuit Club and supported by West Lancashire Borough Council.
Cllr John Hodson, portfolio holder for planning, said: “I was really pleased to see so many people in Ormskirk enjoying themselves. I hope that the businesses that opened up for the occasion all had a good day as well.
“The Motorfest provides fantastic value for money for council taxpayers as the authority works well with the organisers Aintree Circuit Club to set up the extravaganza. Thousands of people come along to enjoy one of the biggest free family events in the North West.”
The Mayor’s Choice Award for best car went to Colin Penn’s 1972 VW Westphalia Conversion Camper Van and the Mayor’s Choice Award for best motorcycle went to the Suzuki F2 Sidecar owned by Alan Molyneux.