Ormskirk MotorFest 2013 event confirmed for August 25

PLANS to bring hundreds of cars and bikes to West Lancashire for a motorsport spectacular have got into gear after a 2013 Ormskirk MotorFest was confirmed this week.

Aintree Circuit Club and West Lancashire Borough Council have both confirmed that following the success of the motoring event in bringing thousands of people into the market town a 2013 event will take place in the town centre and at Coronation Park on Sunday, August 25.

Mike Ashcroft, chairman of Aintree Circuit Club, told Life On Cars: "We're delighted that we've been able to get the council to ratify next year's event and to agree the date, which means we've got a head start on making the 2013 MotorFest a big success.

"The extra months of preparation we've got will help to make it an even better event than the first two MotorFests, because we can improve on what we offer visitors and we can attract an even higher quality of entries, and get some great racing cars and bikes onto the streets of Ormskirk."

The 2011 and 2012 MotorFest events helped to give Ormskirk its two best ever trading days, with this year's event bringing 15,000 people into the town centre to see more than 300 classic cars and bikes and to witness the spectacle of F1 cars taking to the town's one-way system as part of a series of parades around the town.

West Lancashire Borough Council also confirmed to Life On Cars that a date had been given the green light, and that it was keen to make the 2013 event a success.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "The council is delighted to confirm that we will be working with Aintree Circuit Club on MotorFest 2013. The event will be held on Sunday, 25 August.

"The first two Motorfests were hugely successful and more than 15,000 people visited Ormskirk. We are confident the 2013 event will also be a fantastic event. We are talking to the Circuit Club about exciting plans for MotorFest 2013 but at this stage it is too early to talk about the details."

The council also said it is seeking sponsorship to help make the 2013 MotorFest a success. Any organisations, companies or individuals who are interested in sponsoring the Motorfest should contact the Council’s Technical Services Manager Colin Brady on 01695 585125.

Councillors say they won't put the brakes on Ormskirk MotorFest in 2013

ANOTHER Ormskirk MotorFest is set to be revved up for next summer, even if Labour snatch control of the borough council at the next local elections.

Both the Tory-controlled local authority and the opposition Labour group have said they are keen for the motorsport-themed event to continue next year, even though both sides say they are keen to increase the amount of private sponsorship in order to reduce the burden on West Lancashire taxpayers to fund the show.

A spokesperson for West Lancashire Borough Council said: “The 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest was a huge success, attracting 15,000 visitors to see magnificent displays of motor vehicles. West Lancashire Borough Council was very pleased to see this success built on the achievements of the inaugural MotorFest in 2011.

"In principle, the Council would like to see the Ormskirk MotorFest take place in 2013. However, if some sponsorship could be secured than this would enable the Council to help ensure it can go ahead in the future. We will be looking into potential funding arrangements and also having discussions with Aintree Circuit Club, who organise the MotorFest, about how best we can work together to run the event in the future. We would certainly welcome any parties interested in sponsoring all or part of the event to contact us at this early stage."

Life On Cars asked the council's Labour group - who were 29 votes away from winning control of West Lancashire at the local elections in May - whether they would support a 2013 Ormskirk MotorFest, given their decision to call in funding for this year's event and suggestions from Ormskirk Conservative councillor Adrian Owens that had Labour been in control the event would not have taken place.

Cllr Owens said: "Firstly, at the beginning of the year they tried to strangle the MotorFest at birth by arguing that much of the council money underwriting the event should be withdrawn.

"There would have been no MotorFest if we had followed Labour’s line."

The Labour group responded by saying that it is keen to see the event being held in 2013, but said it was keen to see the private sector offer up more sponsorship and reiterated support for a ‘West Lancashire Show', which could be instigated using funds previously earmarked for the MotorFest.

Councillor John Fillis, leader of the council's Labour group, said: “Labour has always supported Ormskirk's MotorFest and will continue to do so, but we see a bigger role being played by the private sector in the form of sponsorship. At present the Tories are increasing the funding by 75% annually for the one day event, if this continues as the event grows then by 2014 they will be spending over £50,000, while cutting back on vital service for local people by 30%.

"Many local retail businesses that I have spoken to are willing to support the show due to the amount of custom the festival drew. This we believe could be reflected on a bigger scale if only the council were to be more ambitious and take the initiative."

Would you like to see a 2013 Ormskirk MotorFest take place? Share your thoughts by sending an email to david.simister@hotmail.co.uk or leave a comment below...

Motorbike parade in memory of Ben Gautrey is a poignant success

A POIGNANT parade which paid tribute to a Southport motorbike racer who died last year has helped to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity set up in his memory.

The Benjamin Gautrey Foundation, set up by friends and family of the 18-year-old rider who was killed at a race at Cadwell Park in August last year, said that a fundraising stall and tribute parade at last weekend's Ormskirk MotorFest had been seen by thousands of visitors, with more than £255 being raised to help the charity's aims of promoting grassroots sports.

Ben's mother Lorraine told Life On Cars: "The event was excellent and went far better for the foundation than any of us could have expected, with lots of people coming over to have a look and find out more about the charity. It isn't just about motorbike racing, but about all the sports Ben took such a keen interest in.

"The parade in particular went really well, with the bikes looking spectacular as they went around the streets of Ormskirk. Everything was done in a very poignant way and it was very emotional for everyone involved, but I'm delighted that it went so well and that so many people took an interest in what we're doing."

The charity not only had a stall set up in Coronation Park, where thousands of visitors to the event went to see the classic cars and bikes on display, but also had a special parade around the town centre, which was led by a replica of the 600cc Gearlink Kawasaki which Ben rode during his final race.

An additional tribute to Ben was also paid at Cadwell Park, the Lincolnshire circuit where he was killed in a race a year ago, with supporters planting a tree in his memory.

Charity supporter Alisdair Croft, who took also took part in last year's MotorFest, said: ”The foundation's supporters are absolutely delighted with how it all went, and it's clear that a lot of interest was generated and that a lot of merchandise to promote the charity's work was sold on the day.

"The parade too was a big success, and we're adament that the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation will be back at the Ormskirk MotorFest next year, and hopefully with some big names riding some of the bikes in the parade."

If you'd like to find out more about the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation, visit the charity's website at www.thebenjamingautreyfoundation.org.uk.

Picture courtesy of West Lancashire Borough Council

Video: Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

AS the raindrops bounced their way across the table and into my coffee I'd already come to a sad conclusion; this year's Ormskirk MotorFest would be a washout. It was only then the Lamborghini Countach started up.

I only saw it once last Sunday buit it was one of my highlights of a show packed with scores of cars and bikes; a brooding, black Italian supercar with silly scissor doors and a big, defiantly noisy V12 engine which ricocheted off the buildings in the otherwise quiet market town.

As it happened my bribe to the Met Office paid off; just as the show opened a few hours after my coffee, at about eleven, the sun broke through the clouds and with it came hundreds of spectators. Then it became thousands. Ormskirk, even compared to last year's inaugural event, was absolutely heaving with people who like nothing more than looking longingly at a Ferrari or three.

There was bit of automotive exotica to suit every taste - for instance, I was particularly taken by Gary Hewitt's Metro 6R4 and by an immaculate Aston DB4 - but for me the highlight was taking my own museum exhibit, the Life On Cars MGB GT, onto the streets of Ormskirk for one of the six parades taking place that afternoon. I might have been sandwiched in between a bright red Morgan and a BMW M6 - all 560bhp of it - but I reckon the MG, with its offbeat burble and polished chromework, did Ormskirk proud.

Even though I've done hundreds of laps of Ormskirk's one-way system it's a bit of a surreal experience threading a forty year old sports car through windy streets packed with spectators, especially if you've got a BMW M car doing powerslides in your rear view mirror. It might have demanded a lot of concentration but I absolutely loved it and, judging by the comments I got afterwards, so did you.

This year's MotorFest wasn't an awkward sequal to the original - it was an awesome, unforgettable event which gave everyone the chance to see F1 racers and Group B rally cars letting rip on their doorstep. Naturally, the region's petrolheads are already eagerly awaiting next year's event.

Better start saving up for my Met Office bribe, then...

  

P.S: Apologies to the bikers who pointed out yesterday's pictures were a little lacking on the motorcycle. Plenty of bike footage in the video though...

Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 - the day in pictures

THOUSANDS of petrolheads have packed into Ormskirk to make the market town’s second MotorFest event a spectacular success.

The event, organised jointly by Aintree Circuit Club and West Lancashire Borough Council, saw scores of classic cars and bikes, including Grand Prix racers and Group B rally cars, take to the town’s one way system for the climax of a day of motorsport-themed action, in what has been one of the town’s busiest trading days.

Councillor Paul Greenall, the mayor of West Lancashire, told Life On Cars: “It’s been really good, and fortunately the weather held off. There have been lots of very good cars here, and they’ve brought thousands of people into Ormskirk.

“There’s been a lot of interest in both our charities, and for Ormskirk the number of people speaks for itself. I hope there’s another event next year, because this one’s been a big success.”

Among the highlights for visitors was the chance to watch rally star Becky Kirvan put her motorsport-prepared Ford Fiesta through its paces, the parade of supercars, including the McLaren MP4-12C, and a poignant motorcycle parade held in memory of Southport superbike racer Ben Gautrey, who was killed at a race in Cadwell Park last year.

Although the threat of bad weather had loomed over the event, with participants being treated to downpours early on, sunshine during the parades later on helped to attract as many 15,000 visitors into the town centre to see the displays near the clock tower and in Coronation Park, as well as a series of parades around the town’s one way system.

Neville Hay, event commentator, said:  “I thought it went very well, especially given the limited amount of time you have to work with, the amount you have to do and the sheer number of cars involved. It’s not something that happens every day, but I think it went extremely well.

“Last year’s event went very well, but this year’s show has gone even better. I really hope it happens again next year.”

Life On Cars took these pictures at the event:

Keep an eye on Life On Cars for a video from the event, and read more in next Wednesday’s edition of The Champion newspaper (August 29 edition).

Getting ready for Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

IT'S been a busy day at Life On Cars HQ!

Not only have I nudged the Rover 214 through its MOT for a second time - at the same garage in Rainford which did such a great job of mending the MX-5 last Christmas - but I've spent an exhausting afternoon making sure my beloved MGB GT is looking its best for an event I've spent months looking forward to.


The 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest.

I'm not sure which is more likely to misbehave tomorrow - the MG or the weather - but either way I'm looking forward to seeing the surreal sight of Grand Prix cars roaring around the streets of Ormskirk, and Group B rally cars parading past the parish church.

I've been given special permission by the show's organisers to post updates on the event's Twitter feed, so if you're keen to know what's going on tomorrow or to share your thoughts either head to @2012MotorFest on the Twitter website or simply look at the cunning feed below, which will be updated throughout the show:


The official launch magazine, made by Life On Cars, has also had a great reception, with more than 1,000 people reading it since it was published last week. If you haven't had a look through it already, by means have a read whether you're planning on visiting the show or not - it's a good read (then again, I would say that, because I wrote it).

There'll also be posters at the event promoting the magazine, which you can read while you're there by simply looking for this QR code on the poster and scanning it with your smartphone:

The F1 cars, the acres of motorsport metal, the banter with the enthusiasts, the Group B rally contenders or just the chance to show off the MG to thousands of petrolheads - I'm not sure what I'm looking forward to most.

If you're planning on going to tomorrow's event, by all means pop over for a natter...

For a full follow up visit Life On Cars tomorrow (Sunday, August 26) and read next Wednesday's edition of The Champion newspaper.

2012 Ormskirk MotorFest set to attract thousands of visitors this weekend

THOUSANDS are expected to attend a full-throttle motorsport spectacular when it returns to Ormskirk town centre this Bank Holiday weekend.

The Ormskirk MotorFest, which is being held for the second time this Sunday (August 26) is expected to attract around 15,000 visitors as hundreds of exotic cars and motorbikes take part in displays and parades to celebrate more than a century of motorsport in the council-backed event.

Councillor Martin Forshaw, the council's portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “The Ormskirk MotorFest is a great day out for car enthusiasts and for the whole family.

"I am really looking forward to it and would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the event. If you don’t, you will be missing out on a really special day."

A roll call of some of the mouthwatering motorsport machines are set to attend this Sunday's event, including a McLaren MP4-12C supercar, Metro 6R4 Group B rally cars, a Santa Pod top fuel dragster and classic Jaguar C-Type and E-Type sports cars among others. The bubble cars which proved a hit last year (pictured) are also set to wow the crowds once again.

This year's event will also help to support several charities, with a visit from the North West Air Ambulance - one of the mayor's charities this year - on the cards and a poignant parade in tribute to Southport superbike racer Ben Gautrey to help raise awareness of a charity set up in his memory.

Visitors to the show can also help to raise funds for the charities by entering a draw to win a ride round the town centre in one of the exciting cars taking part in the parade, while those volunteering to be safety marshals at the event will be entered into a draw to win £150.

Mike Ashcroft, Aintree Circuit Club Chairman, said: "I would urge everyone to come to the MotorFest and I am pleased we can support these charities.

"The draw we have organised will give an opportunity for visitors to ride in one of these unique machines."

The show starts at 11am, with displays along Moor Street, Aughton Street and in Coronation Park, with parades taking place around the town's one-way system later that afternoon.

A special launch magazine made by Life On Cars is now available to read on the Ormskirk MotorFest website. To find out more click here.

2012 Ormskirk MotorFest - Read the official magazine here!

IF YOU'RE looking forward to this year's Ormskirk MotorFest then has Life On Cars got a treat for you!

For the second year running I've been given the green light to team up with Aintree Circuit Club, the event's organisers, and produce the only magazine which has their official backing, and it's packed full of news, features and information all about the motorsport-themed event on August 26.

More than twice as long as previous Life On Cars magazines, it's a delve behind the scenes of the full throttle event taking place in Ormskirk on the Bank Holiday Sunday which I hope you'll enjoy reading as much as I've enjoyed creating.

See you there...

Open publication - Free publishing - More automotive

P.S: If you missed the chance to read the official magazine on last year's show you can check it out here.

Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 preparations move up a gear

PREPARATIONS are well under way for a motorsport spectacular later this month - and you're invited to join the action.

With less than three weeks to go before the Ormskirk MotorFest rolls into town in Sunday, August 26, the borough council and organisers Aintree Circuit Club are making final calls for volunteers to act as marshals and for owners of racing machines from the 1950s and 1960s to bring their vehicles to the event.

Councillor Martin Forshaw, the council's portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “We are all getting very excited about this year’s Ormskirk MotorFest. Make sure you put the event’s date in your diary and don’t miss a thoroughly enjoyable event.”

Last year's MotorFest helped Ormskirk enjoy its busiest ever trading day, with more than 10,000 visitors packing into the town centre, and this year the council, Aintree Circuit Club and main sponsors The Belfry Group are determined the event will be even bigger.

Among those who have already offered to help are members of residents' group New Way Tenants and Residents Association, who told Life On Cars that they would be volunteering as marshals to the positive impact the car and bike spectacular has on Ormskirk.

Group member Jane Thompson said: “The MotorFest is an excellent day out and I am in full support.

"This is an excellent event which puts Ormskirk on the map. Members of NWTRA are volunteering to help promote Ormskirk market town."

Organisers Aintree Circuit Club have also launched their new Friends of Ormskirk MotorFest scheme this week, which for a membership cost of £5 gets visitors a collector's badge, a specially-produced event brochure - and the chance to get a ride in one of the event's more exotic entrants around the streets of Ormskirk.

Signed up to appear are supercars and competition motorcycles, including one ridden by the late Joey Dunlop, a former world motorcycling champion. There will also be MG racing and rally cars, Metro 6R4, Group B rally cars and racing motorcycles, and the Santa Pod Raceway Top Fuel Dragster. Some of the vehicles will take part in parade laps around the town, and static displays will be on Moor Street, Aughton Street and Coronation Park.

If you have a competition car you'd like to enter, would like to volunteer as a marshal or would simply like more information about the event, visit the official Ormskirk MotorFest website at www.ormskirkmotorfest.com

300 entrants and counting for 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest

JUST had a quick note from the organisers of this year's Ormskirk MotorFest to say they've hit the magic number of 300 entries from car and bike enthusiasts.

Aintree Circuit Club confirmed today that they are no longer accepting entries for road cars for the event, which takes place in the West Lancashire market town on Sunday, August 26.

Club chairman Mike Ashcroft said: "We have now hit the magic number of 300 entries and we are now no longer accepting entries from road cars. The only car entries that we will now accept are competition vehicles - race, rally or speed type - i.e. single seaters, saloons or sports cars. We are still accepting motorcycle entries but only for the next seven days. Entries will close finally on Monday, July 30.

"We will, however, be reserving places for a number of racing cars that we are expecting as late entries due to rebuilds taking place prior to the event and the registration system will remain open only for these cars after this date."

For more information about entries email Mike Ashcroft on mja@aintree.org.uk or call 0782 123 0961. For more information about the MotorFest visit the official event website.

300mph dragster and glamorous rally driver both ready for Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

IMAGINE rocketing from a standstill to 300mph before you can finish reading this sentence.

That's what the top fuel dragster - one of the fastest accelerating vehicles on earth - is capable of, and organisers of next month's Ormskirk MotorFest confirmed this week it will be returning to the town after proving one of the biggest crowd pullers at last year's event.

Councillor Martin Forshaw, West Lancashire Borough Council's portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “The Top Fuel Dragster was incredibly popular with visitors last year and I am really pleased it is coming back for this year’s Ormskirk MotorFest.

"It is one of many fabulous vehicles that will be lined up on our streets on a fabulous day out for all the family. So put the date of 26 August in your diary and come along."

The top fuel dragster, which can reach 100mph in less than a second is one of just hundreds of exotic machines headed for the market town on August 26, with many set to take to the town's one-way system for a series of parades.

Glamorous rally driver Becky Kirwan, the current BRC Challenge Ladies Champion, will also be at the event, to show how young enthusiasts can enter motorsport and succeed.

Mike Ashcroft, Aintree Circuit Club Chairman, said: "The Ormskirk MotorFest entertained a huge crowd of all ages last year and this year it promises to be even bigger and better.

“We have a fantastic line up of two and four-wheeled machinery spanning nearly a century of automotive history from vintage classics to modern supercars and bikes.”

Anyone wishing to enter their classic car or motorcycle has until August 11 to get in touch, while this week it has been announced that any marshals will be entered into a draw with a top prize of £75 for one lucky volunteer.

 

To find out more about the event, to book a trade stand or to volunteer to be a marshal, go to the event's official website at www.ormskirkmotorfest.com

Aintree Circuit Club calls for volunteers to help make 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest a success

THE organisers of this year's Ormskirk MotorFest are calling on a small army of volunteers to help make sure the motorsport spectacular runs smoothly when it revs up next month.

Aintree Circuit Club, who are organising the August 26 classic car and bike event, said it is looking for volunteers to act as stewards and marshals at the event when it draws hundreds of vehicles and thousands of spectators into the centre of the West Lancashire market town.

Mike Ashcroft, club chairman, said this week: "This year’s event will be bigger and better than 2011, with over 250 cars and bikes already registered with a special feature being a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1962 British Grand Prix, which was held just seven miles away at Aintree.

"As ever, an event of this magnitude will require a small army of volunteer marshals and stewards and I would like to invite you to assist us in the running of the event and register as a marshal for the day. We now have a super online registration system that will only take a few minutes to complete and you can also download and print forms, which you are welcome to distribute to family and friends who do not have internet access or just prefer to use a pen and post!"

Last week The Champion reported that preparations are already well underway for the August Bank Holiday event, which is also being supported by the borough council and lead sponsors the Belfry Group.

The club has also confirmed that even though it has yet to close the door on entrants hoping to bring their vehicles to the event the 2012 MotorFest has already attracted more entrants than last year's inaugural event, with more than 300 cars and motorbikes expected to take part.

As a token of thanks for the support volunteer marshals will give to the running of the event all volunteers will be provided with refreshments and a special souvenir pin badge, which will only be given exclusively to marshals and not offered to other visitors and participants in the event.

Life On Cars has followed the Ormskirk MotorFest closely since the event's inception last year, taking part in the inaugural in a 1972 MGB GT.

For more information about how to volunteer to be a marshal go to the Ormskirk MotorFest website.

Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 attracts hundreds of entrants

HUNDREDS of classic car and bike owners have entered their machines into this year's Ormskirk MotorFest, the event's organisers have confirmed today.

Aintree Circuit Club said that it had received more than 250 applicants from enthusiasts keen to exhibit their machines at the motorsport-themed event, which takes place in the centre of the West Lancashire market town on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Club spokesperson Mike Ashcroft told Life On Cars: "Once again Ormskirk is looking forward to the MotorFest. Over 250 entries from all classes of competition cars and motorcycles, classic cars and supercars have been received so far.

"Last year's event was a resounding success with spectators enjoying the static displays and exhibitions and the various themed parades around the town centre, and this year there will once again be static displays of vehicles in Ormskirk town centre on Aughton Street and Moor Street, with more in Coronation Park."

Among the entries expected to take part in this year's event are a Metro 6R4 Group B rally cars, MG racing and rally cars, historic F1 cars, and the return of the 1950s bubble cars which proved an unexpected hit with visitors at last year's event.

The club also reiterated that the event, which it is organising in partnership with West Lancashire Borough Council, will remain free of charge for visitors, with both organisations keen to top last year's inaugural event, which saw more than 10,000 people pack into the town centre to see the exhibits and a series of car and bike parades around the town's one way system.

The MotorFest's organisers will also be helping to support several charities on the day - the Ben Gautrey Foundation, who will be leading a motorbike parade in tribute to the Southport superbike racer tragically killed during a race last year, the North West Air Ambulance, one of this year's West Lancashire mayoral charities, and Claire House Childrens Hospice.

This year's Ormskirk MotorFest will take place in Ormskirk town centre on Sunday, August 26. For more information visit the event's website.

Motorcycle tribute to Ben Gautrey planned for Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

A POIGNANT tribute to a teenage motorbike racer who died last year will take place at this year's Ormskirk MotorFest.

Lorraine Gautrey, mother of 18-year-old Southport rider Ben Gautrey, who was involved in a fatal crash at the Cadwell Park circuit last August, said that motorbikes - including a replica of Ben's machine - will take part in the parade to highlight a charity established in his honour.

She said: "The parade will not only be a really nice tribute to Ben, almost a year to the day after we lost him, but it will also help to highlight the work of the Ben Gautrey Foundation.

"The foundation will support sport from grassroots level and will promote the sports in which Ben was so passionate about."

She added that there will also be a stand at the MotorFest to promote the work of the charity, which was set up shortly after Ben, from Southport, died last year. Volunteers for the charity will be able to talk about Ben and the work his life has inspired, and will also sell wristbands and other items to raise money.

Among the machines which will be ridden around the MotorFest parade circuit, which takes in a series of streets around Ormskirk town centre specially closed off for the event, will be a replica of the 600cc Gearlink Kawasaki, pictured, on which Ben rode his final race at Cadwell Park on August 29 last year, and an Aprillia 125cc motorbike which Ben also raced.

Charity supporter Alasdair Croft, who took part in last year's MotorFest, said:

"It's a fabulous idea, and I hope that the stand and the parade at the event will really help to highlight the foundation and what we're aiming to do.

"Coming from a motorsport background, I think it's something that will really capture people's imagination and I'm very keen to see it happen."

The Ormskirk MotorFest will take place in Ormskirk town centre and Coronation Park on Sunday, August 26. For more information about the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation visit the charity's website online.

Entries for this year's Ormskirk MotorFest are now being accepted. To get your classic car or bike involved head to the event's official website.

How to enter the 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest

DO YOU own a classic car or bike you'd love to show off to thousands of enthusiasts later this summer?

Then chances are you'll want to enter your pride and joy into this year's Ormskirk MotorFest, for which the organisers are now inviting entries. An official website for this year's event has also been launched, which you can find at www.ormskirkmotorfest.com

There are two ways to enter your vehicle for this year's event:

1) BY POST

Download a copy of the entry form and print it off before filling it in with details of your classic car or bike.

Send off the completed form to:

Aintree Circuit Club Events Office
1 Tilney Street
Aintree
L9 8DT


However, due to extra administration costs, there is a £5.00 fee payable for postal entries to this year's MotorFest.


2) ONLINE ENTRY

Go to the Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 website and click on either "Entry Form" or the "The race for registrations is now on" logo.

An electronic registration form will load. Simply fill in your details and provide some information about your classic (including a JPEG picture of it), and simply click "Submit".

A few minutes later you should get an email from one of the organisers, letting them know they will contact you soon about your entry. Unlike the postal entries, online entry is completely free of charge.

Full terms and conditions of the event are also available on the Ormskirk MotorFest website.

More updates on this year's Ormskirk MotorFest will be posted on Life On Cars as soon as they're announced.

Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 will be free of charge for classic car and bike owners

A MOTORSPORT spectacular will remain free to take part when it returns to the streets of Ormskirk later this summer, petrolheads have been told this week.

Aintree Circuit Club confirmed this week that when the Ormskirk MotorFest returns on Sunday, August 26 it will be free for both participants and visitors, following the announcement of a £10,000 sponsorship deal with the Belfry Group.

Mike Ashcroft, chairman of Aintree Circuit Club, said: "Aintree Circuit Club and West Lancashire Borough Council are delighted that the event has managed to attract this level of support in difficult economic times and wish to express their sincere thanks to Belfry Group Managing Director, Keith Rimmer, for his commitment to Ormskirk Motorfest.

"The event will continue to be completely free to attend or participate. You will be able to complete your Entry Application Form online, without the need to email. There will also be a facility to download your Application Form for entrants who wish to send their form by post."

Last year's inaugural event attracted more than 200 classic cars and bikes - with more than 90% of the entrants coming from the Sefton and West Lancashire areas - while more than 10,000 people visited Ormskirk to see the displays and parades.

For more information on how to enter visit the Aintree Circuit Club website at www.aintree.org.uk

Ormskirk MotorFest 2012 is go!

A FULL-THROTTLE celebration of all things automotive will roar into action on August 26, it has been confirmed today.

West Lancashire Borough Council and Aintree Circuit Club said that the Ormskirk MotorFest, which brought thousands of visitors to the market town during last year's inaugural event, will be held on the Bank Holiday Sunday after the organisers managed to secure a £10,000 boost from north west firm the Belfry Group.

Councillor Martin Forshaw, portfolio holder for Planning and Technical Services, said:

"Last year’s event was a huge success and proved to be an enjoyable and exciting day for all. With the sponsorship from Belfry Group, this year’s event looks set to grow and grow.

"I look forward to working with Belfry Group and the ACC in order to make this year’s event even better."

The council confirmed that this year's event will follow a similar format to last year's, with displays of classic and racing cars around the clocktower and in Coronation Park, while parades will be held on the town's one way system to entertain showgoers.

Funding for a second MotorFest event was confirmed earlier this year, when the borough council agreed to invest £17,500 and for Aintree Circuit Club to organise the event. However, both the council and the organisers were keen to seek additional sponsorship to help make this year's event a success.

Mike Ashcroft, chairman of Aintree Circuit Club, told Life On Cars that the club was delighted with the news and is looking forward to announcing more details about entries for the event over the next few weeks.

"We're extremely pleased that the second event has been secured, and that we've also got a sponsor this time to help support us to fund the MotorFest. It is a massive vote of confidence both in the event and in Ormskirk itself," he said.

"The sponsorship means that we should be able to do more than we could with last year's event. I'm really looking forward to it."

Last year's event brought more than 200 classic cars and motorbikes into the town, with more than 10,000 visitors coming into the town to see the vehicles and the parades around the town centre.

Keith Rimmer, managing director of Belfry Group, which has agreed to give £10,000 in sponsorship to the MotorFest organisers, said:

"We are very pleased to provide support to this year’s Motorfest. We believe last year’s event was fantastic and provided a great free day out for the entire community".

If you're interested in sponsoring the Ormskirk MotorFest contact the council's support team on 01695 585125.

2012 Ormskirk MotorFest wins backing of councillors

A 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest is one step closer to revving into action after West Lancashire councillors voted tonight to give it their support.

At a cabinet meeting at West Lancashire Borough Council – situated a stone’s throw from the MotorFest street circuit route – plans to support another event and to grant it funding to the tune of £17,500 were given the green light, paving the way for hundreds of classic cars and motorbikes to visit the market town for a second time.

Ormskirk councillor Adrian Owens, the borough council’s deputy leader, said at the meeting:

“I fully support the idea of another Ormskirk MotorFest. As an Ormskirk councillor, I saw that it was a great success.

“Here is an event which brought 10,000 people into the town, and while we should look for additional sponsors to help cover the costs of such an event I believe it is one the council should fully support.”

The £17,500 funding will be provided by the council to Aintree Circuit Club, who organised last year’s MotorFest and are keen to build on that event’s success for 2012.

Although the council has now lent its support to the Ormskirk MotorFest being held again a definite date has yet to be announced, although provisions have already been put in place to hold the event on the August Bank Holiday weekend, similar to the inaugural event last year.

Life On Cars, which in August 2010 was the first motoring website to reveal details of the inaugural MotorFest, produced an offically-backed magazine to help accompany the event.

What do you think? Let us know if you’re looking forward to a 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest by leaving a comment below.

2012 Ormskirk MotorFest: the latest

WEST Lancashire councillors will next week decide whether to give plans to revive the Ormskirk MotorFest a £17,500 boost.

Last month The Champion revealed that members of the borough council's cabinet will discuss whether the Ormskirk MotorFest, which attracted thousands of visitors over the August Bank Holiday last year, should be held again in the hope of repeating the economic boost the market town enjoyed as a result of last year's inaugural event.

Now a report presented to cabinet members is recommending that the local authority gives organisers Aintree Circuit Club £17,500 to help cover the costs of a repeat event, with a decision set to be made on holding another event next Tuesday (January 17).

The report, which also suggests using commercial sponsorship to help offset costs, reads:

"The recent MotorFest helped significantly raise the profile of Ormskirk both regionally and nationally. The MotorFest presented the opportunity for the Council to be involved in a ‘good news' event that was well received by both the local / business communities and the event participants.

"If the event were proposed to be held again in 2012 then negotiations, decisions and appropriate funding would need to be in place fairly quickly in order to give a workable lead in time for good event planning. The successful running of the
first event has helped provide a good template for the organisation and delivery of any future events."

The first Ormskirk MotorFest event, which was held on August 28, was hailed ”an outstanding success“ by the borough council after an estimated 10,000 people visited the town to see more than 200 classic cars and motorcycles in a series of parades and displays, but while the cabinet report recommends giving a repeat event the green light no firm decision has yet been made on whether to repeat the event.

The decision is expected to be made by cabinet members next Tuesday night at the council's headquarters in Ormskirk.

Why 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for events

IF ancient Mayan tradition and a rather poor disaster movie are to be believed then 2012 is going to be your last year on Earth.

Luckily, there's more than enough in the way of motoring events to keep you going over the next year, which is no mean feat given 2011 was a bit of a bumper year for car and bike shows in itself. Whatever your tastes you're bound to find something to look forward to later this year.

For starters there's another Woodvale Rally to look forward to, although when it takes off at RAF Woodvale near Formby on August 4 and 5 the organisers will have the tricky task of topping last year's magnificent Battle of Britain flypast, which at last year's 40th anniversary event literally stopped the show in its tracks. The good news is that I haven't been to a bad Rally yet, and with the show's usual blend of cars, bikes, planes and traders it doesn't look like there's one on the way.

A classic car event with a charity twist also returns to the region later this year, when the Lydiate Classic Car and Bike Show returns to the village's parish hall. All proceeds from the event go to Cancer Research UK, so you get to help a good cause while checking out a great selection of cars and bikes from years gone by.

There's also tantalising talk - but as yet no firm confirmation - that a repeat of last year's Ormskirk MotorFest is on the cards, with a provisional date of Sunday, August 26 for the full throttle event. Of all the events I went to last year, this was by far the one most enthusiasts told me they'd love to see happening again. With last summere's event offering up the surreal sight of a Ferrari Enzo, a SEAT touring car and a 40-year-old F1 car roaring around Ormskirk's one way system, I completely understand why.

And if you're prepared to jump into your car and drive a little there's a wealth of shows right across the north west, with everything from the Cholmondley Pageant of Power in Cheshire, the Totally Transport Festival in Blackpool, and every bike show, autojumble and indoor exhibition you can think of in between.

All you need now is some sunshine!

If you've got a motoring event taking place in 2012 you'd like to share with Life On Cars get in touch with us by sending an email to david.simister@champnews.com or call 01704 392404. For a full list of events visit www.lifeoncars.blogspot.com