Wheels in motion for classic car fest
Parade and display of iconic vehicles in 2018
One of the vehicles during the previous Drive-It Day The Rotary Club of Blairgowrie has announced ambitious plans for a major classic car event.
Following on from the hugely successful Drive-It Day event in April this year, which was the first time it had been organised by Blairgowrie Rotary Club, those behind the event have promised that it will be even bigger and better than before.
The 2018 Perthshire Classic Car Festival will take place on April 21 and 22 and will include a parade and display of 150 of the UK’s best classic cars, leaving from Scone Palace for Perth city centre where they will be on public display on Tay Street on the Saturday.
There will also be a display of a further 400 iconic and rare cars, Scottish classic car clubs, Ecurie Ecosse, classic motor cycles, vintage buses, military bands and an air display at Scone Palace that day.
Then on the Sunday, Blairgowrie Golf Club will be the starting point for a drive through the east Perthshire and Aberdeenshire countryside.
The 100-mile or so route will take in Blairgowrie town centre, the new snow road up into Aberdeenshire, over Cairn O’ Mount and back into Perthshire before returning to Blairgowrie en route to Scone Palace.
Last year, 73 cars travelled over 100 miles around the Perthshire countryside and raised £17,500 for CHAS and Cancer Research UK.
This year the Rotary Club has chosen to support three charities - Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer Scotland and the Rotary Foundation.
Colin Stewart from Blairgowrie Rotary Club is one of the driving forces behind the event.
He said: “This is a very, very exciting event, and one of the most prestigious classic car gatherings in the UK.
“Drive-It Day dates back to April 1900, when 64 cars left London for a 1000-mile return run to northern Scotland to prove the reliability of the then ‘new’ motor car.
Blairgowrie-based Graham Environmental Services is the main sponsor of the Drive-It Day again this year and the company’s managing director, Ross Graham, presented a cheque for £1000 to Blairgowrie Rotary Club president Deborah Rogers at their Christmas meal in the town’s Royal Hotel
“These days, around 40,000 cars across the UK commemorate that anniversary and the Blairgowrie run is already full, with four cars even coming from London to take part.
“We estimate that around 5000 people could attend the event at Scone Palace.
“Last year we raised £17,500 through this event - more than any other Rotary Club.
“So this year we want to do even better.
“To ensure the success of this venture the club will be working in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, Scone Palace and the rotary clubs in Perth.
“We are encouraging everyone to come along and join us for what should be a fantastic series of events over the weekend.”
There are also opportunities for local businesses to get involved in the event through sponsorship.
Blairgowrie-based Graham Environmental Services is once again the main sponsor of the Drive-It Day on Sunday and the company’s managing director, Ross Graham, presented a cheque for £1000 to Blairgowrie Rotary Club at their Christmas meal in the Royal Hotel recently.
Mr Graham said: “Last year’s inaugural event was an astounding success, so we are delighted once again to be main sponsors.
“We wish the organisers and participants every success and are sure that this year’s event will raise even more for worthy charities than the high total raised last year.”
Errol-based Morris Leslie Car Auctions are the main sponsors for the Saturday event in Perth.
For further information see the website www. blairgowrieclassiccartour.co.uk or contact Colin Stewart on 07971 159014 or e-mail info@ blairgowrieclassiccartour.co.uk.