The City's Leadenhall Market was the backdrop for the start of the inauagural event for 'City Types' to take some time away from the trading rooms and join like-minded enthusiasts on a three day trip from London to Paris. The cars were 'flagged off' by model (now stylist and make-up artist) Jemma Kidd, sister of Maserati racer Jodie.

The entry for the event (that cost around £3,000 for a two-person team in one car) included a varied and eclectic mix of the very latest high-performance and classic cars, from a 1924 Rolls and 1929 Bentley to a modern Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Reims was the overnight stop on Friday, where the participants enjoyed a Ruinart champagne reception courtesy of one of the event's sponsors (they'd also been tucking in to hampers from Fortnum & Mason en route, another company associated with the Rally).



Saturday featured the run from Reims to Paris, with a Regularity Trial planned by Event Director Peter Gaydon, and the finish was (where else?) at the Place de la Concorde, where a photo call was held. Dinner and Prize Giving was at the 'boutique' Hotel La Tremoille while the cars were loaded onto transporters for the return trip alone, the drivers enjoying the luxury of a Orient-Express train journey back to the UK to enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Debrett's Classic Car Rally is run as part of the City Championship collection of events, Simon Jacot de Boinod, founder of the City Championship organisation, says: "We arrange shooting, polo, golf and sailing championships for the City so we thought a car rally was an obvious choice. A lot of people in the City have sensational cars and this gives them drivetime with a lot of style."

For further information please visit www.citychampionships.com

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: City Championship