25,000 expected at Bradford Classic car weekend

Over 25,000 people are expected to attend the Bradford Classic which this year takes place over the weekend of 18th and 19th July, making it one of the fastest growing and most popular free summer city events in Yorkshire. In a motoring first for the UK, four famous Le Mans cars from Aston Martin Racing, Jaguar Heritage and Ginetta are all to go on display as the Bradford Classic show this year celebrates the famous Le Mans 24-hour race, while the National Media Museum hosts the UK’s first motoring mini-film festival (sponsored by Octane magazine), “Wheels on Reels.”

Over the past four years, the Bradford Classic has grown to become one of the biggest car shows in the North and this year promises to provide an amazing weekend with highlights including an auction of over 1,000 rare model Jaguars and automobilia at the Great Victoria hotel on the Saturday, and a day dedicated to Jaguar on the Sunday. The weekend launches with a special screening of the original Italian Job at the National Media Museum on Friday 17th July. On hand to talk about the film will be the wife of the Director of the movie which has achieved international cult status – Hazel Collinson – who appears in the film. For tickets visit nationalmediamuseum.org.uk

Over 150 classic and performance cars will go on show to the general public in Centenary Square Bradford over the weekend, including a Monica, a very rare supercar of the 1970s. TV presenter and former rally driver Penny Mallory, will be on hand all weekend to judge the cars, provide commentary and mingle with the crowds.

Aston Martin Racing will be sending one of their three LMP1 cars that took part in this years Le Mans 24 hour race along with driver Darren Turner. Yorkshire based Ginetta are sending their Le Mans LMP1 Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S along with driver Nigel Moore, at 17 the youngest ever British competitor in the famous race. Jonathan Turner the Managing Director of Gulf UK who lives locally and will be sending ‘009’, the DBR9 which won its class in last years race. Finally Jaguar Heritage are sending their iconic 1988 Le Mans winning XJR-9LM, which will be run through the streets of Bradford on the Sunday accompanied with a Jaguar XK GT3 from the APEX racing team. Also on hand to talk about driving to class victory at Le Mans in 1962 will be former Morgan Le Mans driver Chris Lawrence.

“This is very special weekend for car fans in Yorkshire and the North of England”, said Councillor Kris Hopkins. “Each year we have tried to build the show and this year promises to be the best yet. Bradford and the surrounding area are famous for manufacturing cars with companies like Jowett and Ginetta. It is also world famous for its association with film which has recently been recognised with the special UNESCO City of Film award”.

There will be a free automobilia valuation service in the square on the Sunday, in an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ format. The public are invited to bring any automobilia down that they would like to get valued by our professional experts. There will also be a vintage car valuer on hand to give free valuations for classic or performance car. The public are invited to register their car on the website if they would like to get the latest valuation for their pride and joy (thebradfordclassic.com).