Organisers expect this year’s MotorFest to be the best yet with more than 25,000 visitors expected

Great British Life: Ormskirk MotorfestOrmskirk Motorfest (Image: Archant)

Motoring enthusiasts from around the north will descend on Ormskirk this month for an event that has become a firm favourite in the calendar of car enthusiasts.

The Ormskirk MotorFest is a fabulous motoring extravaganza, now established as one of the north’s biggest free family events. This year it is being staged on Sunday, August 30.

An estimated 25,000 people came last year to enjoy a fabulous day out with more than 300 cars and motorcycles lined up on Moor Street, Aughton Street and in Coronation Park. Organisers believe this year could be even bigger.

Among the most popular features last year were two Formula 1 cars on display, a 1978 Williams and a classic BRM which was raced by Graham Hill. The MotorFest Autosolo Challenge, which saw professional drivers testing their skills over a specially-designed course, was another very popular attraction.

This year, the organisers are setting up a Concours de Elegance competition as a major new attraction. This will see some of the most superb cars and motorcycles at the MotorFest lined up in a special area in Coronation Park, where judges will cast their expert eye over them. Winners will be selected in each of the 13 classes along with an overall winner.

There will be a special class for cars from 1955 to mark the 60th anniversary of the first British Grand Prix at Aintree Circuit Club and the 60th anniversary of the first MGA car. There will also be a class for supercars with top speeds of 175mph and above. Judges will include Neville Hay, a well-known motorsport broadcaster, commentator and historian.

The competition is being sponsored by Carequick. Its managing director, Colin Maxwell, said: ‘I’m a keen motoring enthusiast and I’ve entered a car into the Ormskirk MotorFest for the last three years. The first year I had a TVR S2 in display and for the last two years I have put in a Porsche 911 Targa. I thought it would be good to support the MotorFest by providing some sponsorship for this exciting new event.’

Mike Ashcroft, chairman of Aintree Circuit Club, which organises the event with West Lancashire Borough Council, said: ‘We are really excited about the Concours de Elegance which will give us and the vehicle owners the chance to show off some of the most beautiful cars at the MotorFest in a really special way.

‘Some superb vehicles are brought to the MotorFest which would be worthy winners of a Concours de Elegance at any motoring event, and we believe this will add a great competition element to the day.

‘We are only a very small organising team but we constantly strive to improve the quality and appeal of our events.’

Councillor John Hodson, of West Lancashire Borough Council added: ‘Being something of a lapsed car enthusiast, I will definitely be attending this year’s event. Whatever your favourite wheels are, there will be something for you on the day with many marques and models to admire. I am just about to restore a 1948 Austin A40 Devon which is currently stored in a barn, so who knows, you may see it at a future MotorFest!’ w

To find out more about Ormskirk Motorfest 2015 visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/events. If you have a vintage, classic, competition or exciting car or motorcycle that you would like to display at the event then log onto www.ormskirkmotorfest.com .