Great British Motor Shows (GBMS) is not a name that people might be instantly aware of, but the Lancashire-based automotive events company is offering no less than 15 regional car shows throughout the UK over the course of 2024.
Attracting between 400 and 1000 cars for display and around four thousand people at each show, 2024 sees its key events given special “Signature” status. This attracted the attention of Automotive PR and Marketing specialists, Chicane, who were looking for ways in which to celebrate a special anniversary.
“Chicane turns 25 this year, and we wanted something appropriate so we are partnering GBMS for their five Signature shows,” explains Chicane Director, Gary Barak. “The Chicane VIP Hospitality area will boast guests from some of the Aftermarket’s leading suppliers and leading industry figures – and we are very much looking forward to hosting them.”
The first of these events is GBMS’s flagship show – the Masters of Motoring. Now in its second year and presented by insurance specialists, Footman James, Masters of Motoring is a two-day, two-venue event, based in Wiltshire, with the first day being a track action day at Castle Combe track followed by a Concours day at nearby Bowood House & Gardens.
Masters of Motoring is a unique formula for British motoring events, allowing participants to enjoy the option of driving one of the UK’s most challenging race circuits, as well as displaying their cars, joining other like-minded enthusiasts who are doing the same with their vehicles. Castle Combe circuit has an incredibly varied entry – with everything from Historic F1 Cars, through 8-litre Can-Am monsters from the 1970s to the growling NASCARs made famous by Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder. Add into that a selection of supercars, rally cars and classics and it adds up to something for everyone who is a car enthusiast – all available to watch in action and on show.
Visitors to Masters can enjoy both aspects of the events as well as having the opportunity to cruise the trade stands and look at what the various events partners have to offer – and this ranges from high calibre motoring themed Waterman pens through designer Italian Jewellery to wine master classes and even a specially brewed Masters of Motoring Beer from craft brewers Monty’s.
The non-stop action on-track at Castle Combe should be a sharp contrast to the serene surroundings of Bowood House & Gardens. The beautiful stately home will form an elegant backdrop to the collection of supercars, classics and competition machinery that is set to assemble there on Masters of Motoring’s second day.
Chicane plays host to VIPs there as it also does at GBMS’ other four Signature events. These one-day events follow a similar format to day 2 of Masters of Motoring, with sports cars, supercars and classics and their owners meeting up to showcase their vehicles in the grounds of some of the UK’s other most renowned stately homes – in this case, Harewood House in Yorkshire, Chatsworth in the Peak District, and Arley Hall, in Cheshire and Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire. At Bowood, as at all of the other Signature events GBMS has negotiated special entry deals for those who also want to tour the Stately Homes while taking in the automotive scenery!
“Our Signature Shows have become the highlights of our event season, attracting a wide range of talented performers and enthusiastic audiences,” explains GBMS Event Director, Steve Bishop. “We’ve added in some of the country’s best locations, so, for instance, we’re delighted to return to the Chatsworth Estate, with a bigger show area than before, as well as our new Chicane VIP area and members zone. Also, at some of our new Signature events – Harewood, for example – we’re pleased to be able to offer entry to the house and gardens as part of the admission ticket.”
The Great British Motorshows event season packs its 15 events into a relatively short season from May through to September. For the full calendar of 2024 events and more information about any of them, check out www.mastersofmotoring.com and www.greatbritishmotorshows.com.
