The Credit Suisse Jersey Festival of Motoring 2008
Thursday 5th June. Set off from home in the MGB for Poole ferry port to board the Condor supercat for our journey to Jersey. We joined the queue of cars waiting to board the Condor Vetesse to depart at 13:55; we arrived in Jersey at approx. 17:30. We were escorted through St Helier by members of the Jersey Old Motor Club (JOMC) to our hotel of choice,
Friday 6th June. Start the day with a hearty English breakfast, then depart for St Peters Garden centre for a coffee stop. This is where the enormity of the event became apparent. 61 visiting cars plus numerous JOMC cars arrived and filled the car park. Time for a bit of a “rag chew” and meet up with old friends not seen for some time, then on to Peoples Park for scrutineering of competition cars. We were entertained to a lunchtime Vin d’ Honneur (welcome reception French style) by the Mayor of St Helier. Afternoon, a short run to St Johns Manor, for tea and magnificent gardens At 19:00 Victoria Avenue was closed to public vehicles and the cavalcade of cars and moonlight sprints (1/4 mile) began, winning car a V12 E type, terminal speed 108 mph.
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Saturday 7th June. Yet another hearty breakfast. Optional visits to various places including The War Tunnels (formally the underground hospital) and then the Westmount hill climb (once again public roads closed). Judging of best turned out car & period dressed occupants. A quiet day for Sue and myself except for the sand racing on the beach at St Ouen’s Bay. The day closed with an informal dinner at The Radisson Waterfront Hotel during which videos were shown of the original 1920’s Jersey road races and the 2007 Peking to Paris.
Sunday 8th June. Yet another……. Mount Bingham hill climb (once again roads closed). Sue and myself chose the all day (Chasse de Proprietes) scenic drive around the island. This included routes through the islands manors and farms that you never imagined existed, a picnic lunch was provided at La Ferme farm who keep over 200 Jersey Cows, and a cream tea at the Living Legend. The Festival closed with a formal (black tie) dinner and prize giving at Hotel de France.
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Monday 9th June. Depart Jersey on the Condor Express for our return journey home. The whole of our stay in Jersey was spent in gorgeous, sunny weather and after a smooth crossing, Old Harry and the beautiful Poole Harbour was a very welcome sight.
For more details contact Paul@vintage.demon.co.uk.