Carfest Review
Family, fun and Ferraris
at Carfest North.
By Dr David Archer
Carfest North lived up to its title and more at Cholmondeley Castle in September this year. Chomondeley has in recent years, been the location of the Pageant of power and proved to be the right choice for the inaugural running of this interactive display of automotive exotica and rarity.
The Chris Evans inspired event in aid of Children in need, created a fine combination of music, family entertainment and automotive spectacle. From the roar of the engines to roar of the crowds, there was something for everyone to see.
Evan’s, a serial petrol head, had brought along 7 of his notable collection of Ferraris, one of them said to be worth circa £15 million pound’s to run up the Castle’s sprint strip. Although these were not timed, Chris and the lucky few who were to pilot them, provided the crowd with the evocative sound of the V12 engines accompanied with smell of spent rubber. Nick Mason (of Pink Floyd fame) also provided a mix collection from his extensive garage to wow the crowds.
Former WRC World Champion, Petter Solburg also put on fine display in his current WRC Ford Fiesta and was only too happy to engage with the many fans in the service area. The open paddock was full of iconic, classic and modern machinery from Le Mans Bentley’s to Rothmans Mk2 Escorts, Aerial Atoms to Bugatti Veyron’s, Group B rally cars to Formula 1’s, all having their chance to shine on the short but publicly viewable track.
Despite the abundance of horsepower and noise, arguably the most popular car was none other than Chitty-Chitty- Bang- Bang, complete with the spookily dressed child catcher only too ready to whisk away your children with the lure of a lollypop. Children of all ages happily queued to be photo’d with this star of the silver screen and if I’m honest, the child catcher still scared me 30 odd years on!!
Should the fumes of super unleaded were to overcome you, there was the opportunity to purchase either a ride in your dream machine for charity or even the car itself at the onsite auctions. Cars for many budgets were catered for from the classic Mini to a full on Porsche GT2, just bring your cheque book!!
If something more modern or sensible was more to your liking, the dealers from most of the manufacturers were ready to show you around their full range. Niche market dealers, restorers and converters were also only too happy to engage with your questions. Notable were Nene Overland, a Land Rover specialist who at one point, had a fully kitted out Defender looking more like a climbing frame for kids than advertisement for their successful business.
The car clubs also ran stands and were appreciated by the viewing public. Nobles or Lotus Sevens, classic Fords to Austin Metros, the area was full of happy owners eager to hear your stories of “I had one of those”. The familiar and rare were all catered for. It’s not every day you get to see a Delorean in the flesh, no hover board, self-inflating trainers or trip back to 1955 required.
For the younger octane seekers, ride on Land Rovers and off road go-karts were ready and waiting and those with more extreme requirements, the Top Gear and Help the Hero’s simulators were in attendance.
The layout worked and nothing was too far away. The view of the track was accessible, yet safe and the quality and variety of vehicles on display meant that surely almost all boyhood (and Girlhood) auto motive dreams could be relived, remembered or ridiculed!!
Here’s to next year and the repeat performance of the weather.