Join The World's Best Iconic & Vintage Car Community >>

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 2012 – Report and Photos

1971 Lotus 69 F3
1971 Lotus 69 F3

The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 2012 was held 15-17 June on the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, England. More than 120 automobiles and motorcycles raced on the Cholmondeley circuit, in addition to nearly 1,000 cars on display around the Castle. A record crowd of more than 50,000 people enjoyed the event, in spite of the dismal weather that periodically hit the site.

Overall win and fastest lap at the 2012 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power went to Caterham’s 300bhp Superlight SP/300.R, which beat out such notables as the BAC Mono, Ariel Atom V8 500 and Radical SR3 SL. In defiance of the often damp conditions, a new lap record was set on the testing 1.2-mile track by Scott Mansell in the Caterham track car. Mansell’s time of 61.89 seconds was just enough to better the previous best of 62.68 seconds set by Nikki Faulkner in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4 in 2010.

Vauxhall Motors’ debut at the Cholmondley Pageant of Power resulted in an overall win in the Classic Pre-War Cars regularity class for the 1926 OE-type 30-98 Velox Tourer. The 30-98 achieved the result on Saturday, when it set track times of 127.96 and 127.77 in the regularity run, both within 0.13 of a second of the bogey time of 127.83 set in practice. Despite wet conditions, the 30-98 – which is owned and maintained by Vauxhall’s Luton-based Heritage Centre – performed impeccably and demonstrated why it’s still regarded as one of the fastest road cars of its time.

The Pageant action wasn’t confined to the circuit. The RAF won the ever-popular Tri-Services Helicopter Agility competition, the only public demonstration of its type in the UK. In a close-fought battle, the RAF team scored most highly in a series of demanding handling tests that highlighted to the awed spectators the extraordinary skill of modern armed forces helicopter pilots.

Meanwhile, out on the largest of the Cholmondeley estate’s lakes, jetskis, powerboats and RIBs thrilled the crowds by performing high-speed runs and by giving passenger rides. The lake also provided the venue for the air-sea rescue displays by RAF Valley.

“The British summer once again proved as unreliable as ever for the Pageant, but it didn’t dampen our sprits or those of the many thousands who flocked – enthusiastic and undaunted – to the Cholmondeley estate,” commented James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. “We introduced new interactive attractions and brought in an even wider field of famous international cars, motorcycles, boats, aeroplanes and helicopters to keep the adrenaline flowing. We’ve been really delighted by the feedback from attendees and exhibitors, and we’re already thinking of new ways to ensure the Pageant continues to go from strength to strength next year.”

In 2012, the Pageant of Power teamed up with two charities – Remount, which helps Armed Forces re-adjust to civilian life, and the Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. The Pageant pledged support to both organisations, raising funds through visitor participation during the course of the Pageant.

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 2012 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

[envira-gallery id=”153692″]

[Source: Cholmondeley Pageant of Power]