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90 years today since Sir Henry Seagrave set new Landspeed Record
Motoring past brought to life at Southport Festival of Speed, March 12-19
In the earliest days of the 20th Century, Southport was the venue for street races and speed trials. And don't forget RAF Woodvale just down the road. That’s another name that is probably largely forgotten, but in 1965, this site was one those first few to pioneer drag racing in the UK. The jewel in the region’s crown is Southport Beach, the stretch of wide golden sands that run seven miles from Formby to Southport. The then, Southport Motor Club started racing on them in 1926 and it was regarded with nearly the same envy as Brooklands.
The crowning glory for Southport Beach came 90 years ago, however, when, on 16 March 1926 Henry Segrave – while mostly airborne!! – piloted his V12 Sunbeam Tiger ‘Ladybird’ from Formby to Southport at a little over 152mph to set a new Land Speed Record.
A decade ago there was a celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of the record, but this year local enthusiasts are really going to town.
A festival organised by the very experienced and respected Aintree Circuit Club and The Atkinson on Lord Street, will feature a re-enactment with the very car in which Segrave set that record now owned by tycoon VJ Mallya. It will be the centrepiece of what is expected to be the biggest gathering of Sunbeams for half a century.
Other activities on 16th and 19th March include displays, parades a concours and demos both on the sands and in the town, all free for the public to attend, so there are no excuses.
The Segrave 90th Anniversary Events to be run on the 16th March on the original Land Speed Record course at Ainsdale Sands has a full entry of 50 magnificent pre-war saloons, sports and racing cars.
These include the actual V12 4 Litre Sunbeam Tiger “Ladybird” racing car driven by Segrave 90 years ago to establish a new World Land Speed Record.
The Tiger will be joined by Lorne Jacobs’ 1927 Napier Lion engine Campbell “Blue Bird” together with 48 other superlative cars which will include the largest ever collection of Sunbeam 3 Litre Super Sports Car ever seen together.
These cars were a direct development of the Sunbeam Racing cars that were a great success in the hands of Segrave during the 1920’s.
The public are welcome to attend the event free of charge but there will be no public parking on the beach with parking available at the nearby Pontins Holiday Camp.
Refreshments will be available at both the Beach Entrance with Willow Catering’s now famous Routemaster Bus attending the event.
Souvenir Programmes will also be available for £5 at the Beach Entrance too.
The Segrave Concours d’Elegance has a superb entry of 40 top quality Vintage and Classic cars including our favourite Bubble Car “Squadron.
You can see these cars from 10.30 am in King’s Gardens on Southport Promenade with judging taking place during the morning.
The cars will then take place in a Grand Parade along Southport’s Lord Street Victorian Boiulevard at 2.30pm with a return back to King’s Garden for the remainder of the afternoon.
Again public admission is completely free. Souvenir Programmes will also be available to purchase on the day and at The Atkinson Gallery in Lord Street.
Southport Festival of Speed 2016Segrave Land Speed 90th Anniversary – 16th & 19th March – NOW CLOSED FOR ENTRIES. We have a full entry of 50 cars for the Segrave 90th and 40 Cars for the Segrave Concours.
Wednesday 16th March.
Ainsdale Beach – Displays, parades and a “re-enactment” will take place during the day. This will feature low- speed parades along the same course used to set the new land speed record of 152mph.
In the evening, a gala dinner with special Guest, motor racing Broadcaster and Historian, Neville Hay, will take place at the Atkinson.
Entries are now closed for this event
Saturday 19th March – The Segrave Concours de Elegance/Display and Grand Parade.
Southport Promenade and Lord Street Concours Displays and Parade. Period cars and motorcycles will be on display outside The Atkinson Gallery and Town Hall on Lord Street together with a much larger display and Concours de Elegance of pre 1975 cars and motorcycles’ at King’s Gardens on Southport Promenade.
In the afternoon, these vehicles will participate in a parade along the length of Lord Street starting at their respective display locations.
Entries will be strictly limited to pre 1975 motor vehicles with the emphasis on cars from the pre-1950s , especially pre-war cars.
Class Awards will be presented for 1, 2 and 3 places depending on number of Entries per Class.
All vehicles will participate in the Grand Parade along Lord Street in the afternoon!
Entries are now closed for the event.
Find out more at Aintree Circuit Club: www.ormskirkmotorfest.com
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