CREDIT SUISSE
JERSEY FESTIVAL OF MOTORING 2008
Motoring enthusiasts should put the first weekend in June in their diary. Over the weekend of 6, 7 and 8th June, thousands of people will flock to various events around the island to watch vintage cars being put through their paces, or, for the more gentile vehicle, take part in displays and tours. Among the cars to take part in recent have been a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, a 1956 Morgan 4/4, Austin Healeys of various ages and likewise for other favourites including vintage Jaguars. Other cars to make an appearance have included Lotus, Alfa and MGB.
The Jersey Old Motor Club was inspired to create this unique event tailored for historic and classic car enthusiasts, subsequent to the Centenary of Motoring held in 1999, when the Jersey Old Motor Club in conjunction with Tourism, organised a three day touring rally which attracted 150 cars and more than 300 participants from the UK and Europe into the island.
It was decided to expand the touring event to include a “historic car” racing element, and with the help of the Parish of St. Helier, two hill climbs were identified at Westmount Road and Mount Bingham, and the “Jersey Festival of Motoring” was created. The Victoria Avenue Sprints were added to the full itinerary the following year – quite a coup to obtain permission to close one of the island’s roads to allow “old cars” to race! In fact this is unique to Jersey as nowhere in the UK are public roads closed to allow competitive events.
Since those early beginnings the event has taken place every year, gaining in popularity and recognition from motoring enthusiasts and clubs throughout the UK and Europe, and is ranked the third most popular festival in Jersey, after the Battle of Flowers and the International Air Display, and is backed by Jersey Tourism
Members of Classic & Vintage Motor Racing Club have, for many years, helped with the competitive events in conjunction with UK officials and marshals. In 2007 JOMC invited the CMVRC to completely run the competition element, and that partnership was formalised for future Festivals.
The Credit Suisse Jersey Festival of Motoring has emerged into an all round experience for touring and competitive cars, which includes two “closed public road'” hillclimbs and a seafront sprint, plus an encompassing touring rally discovering the delights of Jersey featuring the countryside, manors and farms -and a variety of social evenings for all participants
Jersey is a wonderful destination and is ideal for “older motoring” with magnificent scenery and superb beaches, not to mention the famed fresh seafood. Among those visiting this year will be members of Club del’Auto from Paris.
