Southport Classic and Speed returns to Marine Drive this weekend

Families can look forward to the return of Southport Classic and Speed this September.

Southport Classic and Speed, presented by Cataclean and supported by Ocean Plaza Leisure, will take place on Saturday 14th September 2024 and Sunday 15th September 2024, with vintage, classic and modern cars of all styles and eras for the whole family to enjoy.

The two day event, organised by Aintree Circuit Club, celebrates the seaside town’s impressive motoring and motorsport heritage.

Classic car enthusiast who would like to take part can contact: mja@aintree.org.uk or visit: www.southportclassicandspeed.com

Southport Classic and Speed organiser Mike Ashcroft said:

“Southport Classic and Speed 2024 builds on the great success of 2023, 2022 and 2021 and will once again celebrate our motoring and motorsport heritage.

“This year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of the 3 Mile Aintree Grand Prix Circuit – 29 May 1954 – the UK’s only purpose built Formula 1 GP Track and also the formation of Aintree Circuit Club, also in 1954.

“This year is also the 60th Anniversary of the last Motor Race held on our Aintree Grand Prix Circuit which was held 16 May and also organised by Aintree Circuit Club.”

Southport Classic and Speed. Photo by Dave Brown Photography

Saturday 14th September 2024 – Southport Sprint Revival

Southport Sprint Revival will take place on Marine Drive in Southport. This Closed Road Motorsport Speed Meeting will see Marine Drive closed between 6am and 5pm. This will be a competitive, timed, high-speed event. It will revive the historic sprint course that used parts of Marine Drive up until the early 1960s prior to the establishment of the Coastal Road.

This will be run under a Motor Race Order and Speed Permit, issued by Motorsport UK, providing delegated powers to Sefton Council to suspend the Road Traffic Act for the duration of the event.

Practice from 9.30am to 11.30pm

Timed High Speed runs from 11.30am

Lunch Break 12.30 – 1.30pm

All timings are provisional.

For 2024, you can enjoy a double length course, extended to 1,650m with cars running in both directions along Marine Drive.

It is twice as long as last year’s course. Public admission to Competitors Paddock and Designated Viewing Areas will be by pre-paid ticket only. Purchase tickets for Southport Sprint Revival here.

Sunday 15th September 2024 – Classic and Speed Car Show and Grand Parade

The Southport Classic and Speed Car Show will take place at Victoria Park in Southport, the home of Southport Flower Show, between 10am and 3pm.

Admission will once again be free, with scores of eye-catching vehicles to admire from the past 120 years of motoring from the early 1900s to the modern day.

The centrepiece will again be a fabulous themed display of veteran, vintage, classic and modern cars from all periods.

There will be marque and car club displays, plus food and drinks outlets and a shopping village for all the family.

People throughout the town will then be able to watch the annual Grand Parade, which will start at 3.30pm from Rotten Row next to the park before making its way down towards Lord Street and through Southport town centre.

The Grand Parade will retrace the original groundbreaking 1903 Southport speed trial course, along the Lord Street boulevard and the Promenade – a fitting finale to the weekend’s events!

Southport will once again come alive to the unique sights, sounds and smells that these cars will create for everyone’s pleasure and enjoyment.

All timings are subject to change.

Southport Classic and Speed organiser Michael Ashcroft said:

“We would love to see people from across the region come and join us to celebrate Southport’s remarkable motoring history.

“Southport has an amazing motoring history that not many people know about and we are trying to put it very much back on the map.

“Sir Henry Segrave set the land speed record in Southport in 1926, some of the early cars were built in Southport at the Vulcan factory, and they held the speed trials there.

“We have a really good mix of cars coming this year for people to enjoy, in the Ocean Sprint Revival and at Victoria Park and in the Grand Parade.

“It will be really spectacular to see all the cars racing up and down the waterfront.”