A fine array of Aston Martins spanning seven decades was just a taster of a forthcoming event at Buckinghamshire’s Stoke Park, as CTR Events announced the new Midsummer Classic & Thunderball – due to take place on June 26.

Nicholas Mee, Managing Director of CTR Events, describes the new date on the social calendar as a “fresh and innovative motoring lifestyle event” – focusing emphatically on Aston Martin. It will include a world-class concours d’elegance, as well as an impressive gathering of new Aston Martins, among them the sensational One-77 supercar and new, four-door Rapide.

“I’ve long had an affinity with Aston Martin,” says Mee, “but it wasn’t until I visited this wonderful place that I became fully aware of Stoke Park. To find a venue of this quality, with its magnificent Palladian mansion and 350 acres of parkland – and all less than an hour from London – makes it really rather special.”

Beginning at midday on 26 June, the Midsummer Classic promises to be a relaxed, family-friendly day with the atmosphere of a garden party. A Pimm’s reception, alfresco buffet lunch and afternoon tea are included in the ticket price, while the evening will see Stoke Park become the stunning venue for the glamorous, black-tie ‘Thunderball’. With the winning cars from the concours arranged for guests to admire during the champagne reception, the evening will feature a fine three-course meal, an awards ceremony for the concours, live entertainment from Shirley Bassey tribute artist Maxine Barrie and her 17-piece band, a charity auction by Bonhams, and a DJ to play the evening out.

All proceeds from the auction, which will feature items with an Aston Martin and James Bond theme, will be donated to Help for Heroes.

Entries to the concours d’elegance are still being accepted by CTR Events. Upwards of 50 cars expected to take part, with separate classes for cars built at Aston Martin’s Feltham, Newport Pagnell, Bloxham and Gaydon factories. There might also be a class for racing cars. Confirmed entries already include the DB4 GT Zagato ‘2 VEV’ and an ex-factory DBR1.

For concours packs or entry tickets, contact CTR Events on +44 (0)208 741 8822 or email [email protected]. Tickets start at £95 for the daytime event.

For further information, see www.midsummerclassic.co.uk.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: CTR Events