Bentley to star at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power from Tomorrow.

• Luxury and performance from across the ages on stand and track
• Bentley Continental GT Speed and GT V8 S to perform on circuit
• EXP2 from 1920, famous Bentley Blower and Blue Train car on display
• Bentley is a proud sponsor of Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

Bentley is attending this year’s Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in Cheshire (12-14 June) with an extensive array of cars. Prominent models from the brand’s history and current line-up will be on hand, with a pair of Continental GTs in action on the famous track.

With 635 PS (626 bhp) and 528 PS (521 bhp) respectively, the Bentley Continental GT Speed and GT V8 S Grand Tourers will set a blistering pace around Cholmondeley’s narrow, twisting circuit. The Continental GT Speed coupe is Bentley’s fastest production car ever. Its Crewe-built, twin-turbo W12 engine produces a mighty 820Nm, which helps propel the car to its top speed of 331 km/h (206 mph).

Visitors will also find the Mulsanne Speed and Flying Spur – two of the world’s finest four-door saloons – on the Bentley stand. Hand-built at the home of Bentley in Crewe, the flagship Mulsanne Speed combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional craftsmanship. It takes over 400 hours for the dedicated team of 298 skilled craftspeople and artisans to build each car.

The origins of Bentley’s celebrated story will be on display at the event, held on the grounds of the Cholmondeley estate. The EXP2 is the oldest Bentley in existence. Built in 1920, the 3-litre 4-cylinder car has a top speed of 80mph, so it’s unsurprising that it was a successful racer in its day – claiming the brand’s first ever victory. The famous Bentley Blower will join its forebear at Cholmondeley. Featuring the legendary supercharger installation developed by Amherst Villiers, the Blower is arguably the most famous model from Bentley’s illustrious past.

This year is the 85th anniversary of that most famous Bentley Boy adventure – the Blue Train race. The car that (probably) accomplished the feat will also be at the event.

In 1930 Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors, was staying in Cannes when he accepted a wager that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express (or ‘Blue Train’) back to Calais, but that he could be at his club in London before the train even reached the English Channel. He was, and the remarkable victory has resonated with Bentley enthusiasts ever since.

Richard Charlesworth, Director of Royal Relations & Heritage, said: “The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is a local event for us – just 13 miles from Crewe and the home of Bentley. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship and skills of our 3,800-strong workforce, and the great heritage of our famous brand.”

Vulcan Bomber to take to the skies for its final season, with a flypast at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power.

• Vulcan to take to the skies of CPOP in final flying season
• This year’s CPOP will celebrate ‘power’ on land, air and water with events on the famous Cholmondeley track, the world’s only flying Vulcan and a display from the Red Bull Matadors Aerobatic team
• CPOP runs from 12^th to 14^th June 2015

This year’s Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (CPOP) will play host to the world’s only flying Vulcan, as it embarks on its last ever flight in Cheshire.

After being seen by some 20 million people since her return to the public domain, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST), which owns and operates the aircraft, has announced that 2015 will be the final flying season for the Vulcan XH558. 

In her 55^th year and her eighth display season following her restoration, this iconic example of British aerospace engineering will make its first and last appearance at CPOP.

The jet-engined, delta wing strategic bomber will be flying over Cholmondeley Castle, its beautiful parkland and 20-acre lake on the final day of the festival - Sunday 14^th June.

Designed and built in the 1950s, the Vulcan was operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. If necessary it could be started in 27 seconds and airborne within two minutes of a squadron scramble.

XH558 was also the last Vulcan to leave RAF service, flying on from 1986 to 1992 as the single RAF Display Vulcan, before being sold into private hands for preservation and ground running in 1993. 

In 1997, a small team headed by Dr Robert Pleming started on the long journey to return the respected aircraft to flight and ten years later, the Vulcan once again took to the skies.

James Hall, event director at CPOP, said: “It’s extremely sad that this is the last time the Vulcan will take to the skies over Cheshire. However, we’re privileged to be the host of this important occasion and look forward to making its appearance a truly special moment for everyone in attendance on the Sunday.”

Dr Robert Pleming, Chief Executive of VTST, said: "We are looking forward to having the opportunity to display XH558 at this great event and giving this iconic aircraft a spectacular Cheshire send off.”

Although the Vulcan will cease to fly from Autumn, VTST is keen for the aircraft to play a key role in technical education.

Dr Pleming continued: “Though she will be unable to fly, we are planning on putting the Vulcan at the heart of a new ‘real world’ learning environment which we hope will not only raise standards of learning within the aviation industry, but also offer a broad education that will attract both local, national and international students.”

The eighth staging of CPOP will celebrate ‘power’ on land, air and water with events on the famous Cholmondeley track. The festival will honour the Lotus marque on Friday, American Muscle cars on Saturday and Eighties supercars on Sunday.

CPOP is welcoming bike legends Dougie Lampkin MBE and Sammy Miller MBE throughout the weekend, in addition to the Millyard Viper V10 and a Suzuki Hayabusa.

Alongside the Vulcan, Sunday will also see the Red Bull Matadors entertaining the crowd with an aerobatic display. 

This exciting air programme will follow the appearance of the RAF Typhoon Display Team on the Saturday.

On the lake there will be a wide range of watersport action including jet ski racing and flyboarding demonstrations.

The above, combined with camping, live music from Tenors of Rock and the RPJ Band and hundreds of exciting trade stands, will make CPOP the family-friendly motorsport event of the summer.

Tickets are now on sale at www.cpop.co.uk for the event at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas, Cheshire. Adult tickets are priced from £30 with children’s tickets starting from £5.

Classic Bentley cars go on a world tour around some of the greatest motoring events of the year.

• Famous heritage models hit international classic show circuit
• 95 years of history to tour from Goodwood to Pebble Beach
• 85^th anniversary of ‘Blue Train’ race and 1930 Le Mans win

Legendary cars from Bentley’s past are embarking on a tour of the world’s premier heritage and historical automotive events this summer. The ‘Blue Train’ car that famously raced the Calais-Mediterranée Express and the Team Blower that entered Le Mans in 1930. 

The race ultimately won by Bentley Boys Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston in Speed 6 'Old No 1' – are among the highlights of Bentley’s curated or treasured collection. 

Both are celebrating anniversaries and will be on the road at numerous international events between May and October.

‘Blue Train’ Bentley

This year is the 85^th anniversary of that most famous Bentley Boy adventure – the Blue Train race. The car that (probably) accomplished the feat will be touring Europe with a series of high-profile appearances.

In 1930 Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors, was staying in Cannes when he accepted a wager that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express (or ‘Blue Train’) back to Calais, but that he could be at his club in London before the train even reached the English Channel.

He was, and the remarkable victory has resonated with Bentley enthusiasts ever since. 

The car that was believed to have accomplished the feat was the iconic Gurney Nutting two-door fastback coupe. In recent years evidence has emerged to suggest Barnato drove his Mulliner saloon-bodied Speed 6, however, it is the coupe that will forever be known as The Blue Train car.

It is this car that will be touring Europe appearing at seven events between May and October, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 25-28 June, and Schloss Bensberg Classics, Bensberg, Germany (17-19 July).

Team Blower

One of just five built for racing, the Team Blower was used by the original Bentley racing team of the late 1920s, and is still performing over eight decades later.

This year marks the 85^th anniversary of the Woolf Barnato and Glen Kidston Le Mans victory in 1930. While the Blower wasn’t the winning car that day, with Tim Birkin at the wheel its heroic performance embodies the true spirit of the vintage racing era.

Featuring the legendary supercharger installation developed by Amherst Villiers, the Blower will be making a pilgrimage to Le Mans in France from 12-14 June before heading across the Atlantic to the Pebble Beach Concours in California in August.

EXP2

A legacy of the Cricklewood era, EXP2 is the oldest Bentley in existence. Built in 1920, the 3-litre 4-cylinder car has a top speed of 80mph, so it’s unsurprising that it was a successful racer in its day – claiming the brand’s first ever victory.

Driven by W.O. Bentley’s mechanic and Bentley Boy Frank Clement, Bentley’s racing pedigree was established in May 1921 at the Whitsun Junior Handicap.  The EXP2 can be seen at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in Cheshire, England from 12-14 June.

8 Litre

Built in 1930, the 8 Litre was W.O. Bentley’s personal car, and was reacquired by Bentley in 2006 before being restored to its original condition.

Extremely luxurious, yet with a top speed of 100mph, the 8 Litre combines craftsmanship with performance, drawing parallels with Bentley’s current flagship, the Mulsanne. The 8 Litre can be seen at the Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury, from 27-28 June.

Continental R-Type

It was the R-Type which first brought the Continental name into Bentley lexicon in 1952. With a top speed of 120mph this was the fastest four-seater in the world at the time. Many of the 208 examples produced were coach built by Mulliner – a name that is still closely associated with Continental to this day.

The Continental R-Type will also be at the Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury (27-28 June).

Events or Tour dates

Kitzbuehel Alpine Rally, Austria	25-31 May	Blue Train
Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, Cheshire	12-14 June	EXP2 and Blower
Le Mans	12-14 June	Team Blower
Goodwood Festival of Speed	25-25 June	Blue Train and Team Blower
Bentley Drivers’ Club Weekend, Banbury	27-28 June	8 Litre and R-Type Continental
Schloss Bensberg Classics, Bensberg, Germany	17-19 July	Blue Train
Schloss Dyck Classic Days, Jüchen, Germany	31 July – 2 August	Blue Train
Pebble Beach, Concours-d’Elegance, California	12-16 August	Blower
Concours-D’Elegance, Hollyrood, Edinburgh	4-6 September	Blue Train and Team Blower
Zoute Grand Prix, Knokke Le Zoute, Belgium	8-11 October	Blue Train