On Thursday 15 September Sir Stirling Moss OBE officially opened a new seafood restaurant and cocktail bar at the Royal Automobile Club’s Woodcote Park clubhouse.

On Thursday 15 September Sir Stirling Moss OBE officially opened a new seafood restaurant and cocktail bar at the Royal Automobile Club’s Woodcote Park clubhouse in Epsom. Leading a cavalcade of classic Jaguars, Sir Stirling made a spectacular entrance down the Captain’s Drive to the delight of members and guests.

Sir Stirling led the procession in a Jaguar XK120, the same model he drove on the eve of his 21^st birthday, when he won the Royal Automobile Club International Tourist Trophy on the Dundrod circuit in Northern Ireland. During 1951 and 1961 Stirling won the race a further six times. Also taking part in the parade was the Jaguar C-type commemorating his win in 1951 and the famous long nose D-type which won the 12-hour race at Reims in 1956.

Historically, there are few racing drivers whose success extends to every category of motor sport. Sir Stirling Moss OBE can lay claim to that accolade. In 1955 he raced to victory in the British Grand Prix at Aintree, the Mille Miglia and the Targo Florio. The Club’s new destination restaurant was truly inspired by the life and tastes of Sir Stirling, featuring classic seafood dishes and his signature cocktails.

Sir Stirling and his wife, Lady Moss, played an integral role in developing the menus.  Sir Stirling said: “I have been eating at the Club for over 60 years and this new restaurant reflects my love of seafood, the appreciation of lavish surroundings and attentive service”.  He went on to say that, “the restaurant has a wonderful ambience and will make for a truly great dining experience”.

Sir Stirling has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Royal Automobile Club. In 1954 he was given honorary life membership and Club Chairman, Tom Purves, said it was imperative that the new restaurant truly encapsulated the spirit of Sir Stirling. ‘We had a lot to live up to. I hope that members will enjoy Stirling’s as much as we have enjoyed trying to create something special, something memorable, in the name of our most famous, most heralded, most loved member. A true racer and a fine gentleman.’

The Club’s Executive Head Chef, Philip Corrick, commented: ‘We developed dishes inspired by discussions I had with Sir Stirling, and by the many achievements he is credited with. Monaco is his favourite destination, which had a huge influence on the menu. One of the signature dishes is Ravioli Mille Miglia, a seafood ravioli with lobster sauce.’ Because of Sir Stirling’s close relationship with Goodwood, all the meat and dairy produce in the restaurant is from Goodwood Estates Home Farm and the focus is on the best of British food. Sir Stirling and Lady Moss also lent inspiration to the signature cocktails on offer. The ‘No.7’, a modern twist on the classic Champagne cocktail, takes its name from Sir Stirling’s favourite race car number and is mixed with his favourite ingredients. ‘Stirling’s Moss’ is a long and refreshing drink that gets its vibrant hue from locally-sourced fresh ingredients and is inspired by the Woodcote racing green colour.

Also on display in the restaurant was a range of iconic and personal artefacts from Stirling’s private collection including the original steering wheel from his dramatic crash at Goodwood, navigator Denis Jenkinson’s pace notes from the triumphant Mille Miglia win in 1955, plus Sir Stirling’s racing gloves, boots, trophies and other significant memorabilia.

The event concluded with a special presentation to Sir Stirling and a  birthday cake to celebrate his 87^th birthday (17 September).

The Royal Automobile Club:

The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing the Club’s status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.

The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.

Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation. It also  promotes its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox, which are two of the highlights of the Club’s London Motor Week, which this year runs from Monday 31 October to Sunday 6 November 2016.

The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.

This years Silverstone Classic will the biggest yet with a massive display of everything you can think of.

• American muscle cars out in force to mark UK club’s 20^th birthday 
• Special display and anniversary track parade on Saturday
• Car and Bike Clubs Display Package open until the end of May

As tradition dictates, this summer’s Silverstone Classic (29-31 July) will be home to a huge number of enthusiastic car clubs all celebrating significant model or marque milestones with vast displays and glittering track parades.

Recent events have exulted in record breaking birthday cavalcades of E-type Jaguars, Ferrari F40s, Porsche 911s, Ford Mustangs and Grand Prix racing cars. This year’s highlights will include an unprecedented gathering mighty Dodge Vipers, one of America’s most iconic muscle cars.

Originally conceived by Chrysler in the late eighties to be a modern day Cobra, the venomous Viper RT/10 Roadster first went on public sale in January 1992. While the finish of the dramatically styled two-door roadster was pretty spartan (there were no windows or exterior door handles!), it came with a Lamborghini-inspired 8-litre V10 engine and thus walloping 160+mph performance. A true US classic was born.

Four years later came a slightly more powerful and refined second generation Viper plus a GTS coupe version for road and track. Also in 1996, the United Kingdom Viper Club was formed and, thus, it is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with a record-breaking display at the 2016 Silverstone Classic. 

“The Classic weekend is going to be the biggest event for us in what’s a very special year,” enthused Adrian Swift, President of the UK Viper Club. “We have at least 16 Vipers coming from Europe to join us at Silverstone and expect to have more than 30 Vipers in Saturday’s track parade. It will be the largest number of Vipers that has ever been gathered together at one spot in the UK!”

It’s not only the UK Viper Club that will be out in force in July; a colossal number of car clubs now make the Silverstone Classic the base for their annual celebrations, and 2016 is set to be no different. Owners and enthusiasts will be marking 50 years of the iconic Lamborghini Miura, 70 years of Allard and 80 years since the introduction of the evergreen Morgan 4/4 – a car that is still being crafted in Malvern today making it the longest single model production run in automotive history.

Amongst all these varied celebrations, the retro-styled Nissan Figaro will be honoured 25 years since its launch. The distinctive little convertible has acquired a cult following in the UK, and is sure to be a standout feature at the Silverstone Classic.

Homegrown classics enjoying their weekend in the spotlight include the Lotus Esprit turning 40 this year, the Jaguar XK8 celebrating its 20^th birthday, plus the Triumph GT6 and Vitesse 2 Litre, which are both 50. In fact, wherever you turn within Silverstone’s vast infield, there will be huge club displays and festivities taking place.

And it’s not too late for others to join the party either – but time is running out. Special ‘Car Club Packages’ are available until the end of May. These offer members of registered car and bike clubs the chance to purchase two adult tickets plus a coveted infield display parking pass at a significantly discounted price. Club registration is free and full details can be found on the official website: http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/whats-on/clubs.

Whether drawn by the record numbers of Vipers or the myriad of other attractions at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, visitors must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission starts at just £42 and sticks to the Classic’s widely-praised ‘access all areas’ policy. This provides admission to both National and Wing race paddocks, trackside grandstands, the vintage funfair, air displays and the live music concerts which this year include chart-toppers The Boomtown Rats, Reef and The Stranglers.

Jaguar Land Rover Heritage supports Coventry Transport Museum's Guinness World Record Attempt.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER HERITAGE TO SUPPORT COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM’S ‘LARGEST PARADE OF CLASSIC CARS’ GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

• Jaguar Land Rover Heritage supports Coventry Transport Museum’s world record attempt marking the re-launch of the museum next month
• Jaguar Land Rover Heritage is calling upon owners of all models of classic Jaguars and Land Rovers (pre-1986 only) to join the parade
• Limited edition car memento to be presented to each successful parade entrant on the day
• Marks the first of two spectacular Coventry Transport Museum re-launch celebration events in the city during June 2015

Jaguar Land Rover Heritage is supporting Coventry Transport Museum’s attempt to set a new world record for the ‘largest parade of classic cars’ ever assembled, and is calling on classic Jaguar and Land Rover owners to register their interest and take part in this momentous occasion, set to take place in the city on Sunday, 14 June 2015.

Coventry Transport Museum, with partner Footman James, aims to break the record for the ‘Largest Parade of Classic Cars’, which currently stands at 1,674 set in Mexico City in 2014. The goal is to attract up to 2000 classic cars that are at least 30 years old, for the record to be officially ratified by Guinness World Records.

The record attempt is planned for Sunday 14 June, the week before the Coventry Transport Museum’s official re-opening, and organisers are encouraging classic car owners to get involved by registering to bring their vehicles on the day. 

The route of the parade, which must measure at least two miles to meet Guinness World Record regulations, will start at the Ricoh Arena and will include the city’s famous ring road.  To qualify for the parade, each car must be at least 30 years old.  Vehicle registration document copies will be required as proof of age.

Gary Hall, Chief Executive of Culture Coventry said:

“We are thrilled that Jaguar Land Rover Heritage is supporting us in this attempt to bring this World Record home to Coventry, the spiritual home of the British motor industry.  There couldn’t be a more fitting way to celebrate the re-launch of Coventry Transport Museum and Jaguar’s 80^th birthday than to bring classic cars from all over the country, to the city which designed, built and inspired so many gorgeous and pioneering vehicles.

“Demand to take part in this event is already very high, so we are asking people to register their interest as soon as possible.”

Owners of Jaguars, Land Rovers and other classic cars who would like to take part on Sunday 14^th June, and add further provenance to their prized possession, are asked to register their interest as soon as possible, by visiting http://transport-museum.com/events/event/270/guinness_world_record_attempts.aspxand completing the online ‘Expression of Interest’ form.  Further details and confirmation of entry will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Coventry Transport Museum proudly tells the story of the city’s unique transport heritage to almost half a million visitors per year.  The museum’s redevelopment is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Biffa Award, Arts Council England and WREN.  The project is due to be completed in June 2015. 

Sir Jackie Stewarts first ever race car up for auction.

Silverstone Auctions will be offering racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart’s first ever race car for auction in its sale at the Silverstone Classic on the 26^th and 27^th July. The car is an extremely rare 1960 Marcos GT Xylon, offered at auction for the first time and estimated at between £35,000 and £50,000.

Marcos, founded in 1959 by BRDC member and racer, Jem Marsh, and the engineer Frank Costin, built just nine Xylons with this example being by far the most famous. The car came to be driven by Stewart when, in 1960, the Scottish racing enthusiast, Barry Filer, was having his race cars prepared by the Stewart family garage and invited a young Jackie to test with him at Oulton Park.

Following the test Filer promptly bought ‘G128’ for the 1961 season which Jackie then drove for him and, as a sign of things to come, promptly went on to win four sports car races. Jackie moved on in 1962, turning professional and racing Jaguars, whilst the cars career continued successfully through the 1960s under the guidance of Marcos co-founder, Jem Marsh.

The current vendor came into possession of the historic racer following his purchase of the remains of Marcos Sportscars in the 1990s and has had this famous Xylon tucked away in storage since production ceased at the marque’s Wiltshire factory.

Commenting on the sale of this historic car, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s fantastic to be offering this car for auction for the first time in its life. Jackie Stewart is one of the country’s most legendary racing drivers and therefore it’s apt that we are offering it at the home of British motorsport.”

The car is offered in 'barn find' condition, needing a total restoration and fresh preparation for any potential racing.

Nick added: “This is a truly great piece of motor racing history which I can’t wait to see restored and racing again soon.”