Moving up a gear

THE Credit Suisse International Motoring Festival, which starts today, promises to be Jersey’s biggest car and bike event in decades.

The event has become increasingly popular over the years, with dozens of visiting enthusiasts, so this year the organisers – the Classic and Vintage Motor Racing Club – have decided to move up a gear.

Not only are there scores of competitions but the Festival has a new base at the People’s Park, which will host the annual motor show that was previously held at the Royal Jersey Showground.

Its attraction has multiplied this year with the inclusion of a touring component, so owners of beautiful and rare cars need not compete in sprints or hill climbs but show off their pride and joy at a more leisurely pace.

‘This year, we are really billing the festival as a tourist event,’ said Neil Wakeling, publicity chairman of the CVMRC. ‘That means making it a spectacle for everyone and not just for those taking part.’

The action gets underway tonight with a cavalcade along Victoria Avenue from the west of the Island. This gentle procession will make way for Moonlight Sprints – started by Jersey’s World Series by Renault driver James Walker – along the Avenue, roughly parallel to the Lower Park. The action begins at 7.30 pm and concludes at around 11.30 pm.

Other events include hill climbs up Westmount from 10 am until 5 pm on Saturday and up South Hill and Regent Road between 9.30 am and 4 pm on Sunday; a Kart Club mini- circuit, which means the closure of a section of St Aubin’s Road from 9.30 am on Sunday; plus exhibitions and trade stands at the People’s Park throughout.