Despite rain making intermittent appearances at the 2011 Pageant of Power over the weekend, the 1200 cars on show ensured that the spirits of the 70,000 visitors weren’t dampened.

Held at Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire, the fourth annual Pageant was host not only to more than 1000 display cars, but also to 175 race cars and bikes which were energetically paraded around the 1.2-mile circuit. Highlights included modern classics such as a Bugatti Veyron, Lexus LFA and Noble M600, which were joined by icons of yesteryear such as a pair of Ferrari 250 GT SWBs, a Maserati Birdcage and a Bizzarrini A3 C.

Meanwhile, the Bentleys on show included the new Continental GT and Mulsanne plus the Ice Speed Record Continental GTC and Le Mans Speed 8. They weren’t the only Brits to be seen, though; notable cars included a 1958 Jaguar Lister, a V8 Ariel Atom and Jaguar’s 542bhp XK-RS. Chris Williams' 42-litre Packard Bentley also made an appearance and wowed audiences with its fire-breathing capabilities, and was only 'out-capacitated' by the 47-litre V12 ‘Brutus’ built by the Technik Museum in Germany.

The Formula 1 class proved popular, no doubt because it included some famous machines such as the 1950 Ferrari Thinwall Special and the Lotus 18 driven to victory at Monaco in 1961 by Stirling Moss. Jackie Stewart’s Tyrrell 002 was also exhibited, as was an impressive collection of four-wheel-drive F1 cars. But it wasn’t just wheeled vehicles which entertained the crowds: boats, planes and helicopters were also on hand to intensify the buzzing atmosphere.

The organisers have revealed that next year’s Pageant of Power will be even bigger and better, with a host of improvements around the track, on the water and in the air already being considered.

Text: Joe Breeze
Photos: Newspress