This year’s inaugural event adds another up-market leisure activity to the portfolio of golf, sailing, skiing, polo and shooting on offer to people within London’s financial community. All run under the ‘City Championships’ banner.

Participation is designed for teams of two persons - driver and co-driver, and up to 20 cars will be invited to enjoy a long week-end of motoring in their own cars from London to Paris with an overnight stop in Reims. The organisers expect the event to grow in future years.

"Cars of style, grace and interest from the late twenties to today" is the theme, and the route has been designed to be easily achievable within the timeframe allowed. Vintage cars could include any serious sports car such as:- an Aston Martin, a Bentley or 3 litre Sunbeam, for example, or a high powered saloon such as a Rolls-Royce.

The competitive element within the programme will be introduced on the Reims to Paris section and the route will include a Celebratory Lap of the old Reims Grand Prix Circuit. Peter Gaydon is the Event Director. Chairman of British Motor Sport Promoters, and a professional racing driver in the early seventies, Peter has worked in motor sport most of his career and was also Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda in America from 1983-86.

The Route and Motoring Programme

Day 1 Friday 9th September
Start: From Greenwich at 10.30am at two minute intervals
Lunch: Fortnum & Mason Hamper en route between Calais and Reims
Early pm: Arrive Reims (218 miles)
Evening: Champagne Reception and Dinner hosted by Veuve Clicquot
Hotel: Hotel de la Paix

Day 2 Saturday 10th September
Start: From 10am at two minute intervals - Celebratory Lap of old Reims Grand Prix Circuit
Lunch: Fortnum & Mason Hamper en route between Reims and Paris
En route: Regularity Trial
Finish: pm at Place Vendôme, Paris (97 miles) - Photocall
Evening: Dinner and Prize Giving
Hotel: Intercontinental Le Grand, L’Opera (with underground car parking facility).

Sunday 11th September
Morning: Drivers and co-drivers return to London

High Level Security of Cars
City Championships will contract a specialist security company to provide overnight protection for the cars whilst at Reims and Paris. The event will be covered by a RAC Motor Sports Association permit, providing entrants with Third Party insurance cover.

Package The fee for entry is £995 + vat per person, based on two people per car, and includes -

Registration into full motoring programme [+ documents, log books, vehicle registration]; EuroTunnel return transportation; two nights’ twin room accommodation in Reims and Paris; champagne receptions, all meals including dinner in Reims and Paris; security of cars. (Single room supplements of £70 per person per night are available.)

The price does not include the cost of petrol. If required, the cars can be transported back to London through the organisers’ transport specialists.

More information is available on the City Championships website. You can also download an information sheet in .pdf format HERE

Text/Photos: Classic Driver