Friday 15th July 2011

CPoP Is Go! The Pageant Of Power Opens

The sun is here (hopefully to stay) for the Cholmondeley motorsport fest this weekend

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Machinery with a combined estimated value of more than £500 million starts roaring around, over and through the Cholmondeley Castle grounds in Cheshire today.

The festival of all things with engines is in its fourth year now, and the organisers expect the 2011 pageant to exceed last year's record 50,000 visitors.

As well as competitive runs from 175 cars and bikes around the 1.2-mile Cholmondeley circuit (where a fast time is much more important than at the Festival of Speed), CPoP features 1200 cars on static display, a new rally stage, aerobatic displays from stunt planes and helicopters, 120mph runs on the lake from powerboats.

Back on the track, automotive highlights include an Auto Union D-Type GP car, Group B rally monsters, Bentley Le Mans racers, and a fair gaggle of supercars. Like the Festival of Speed, really. Only further north. And much faster.

If you fancy it this weekend, basic admission tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost £20 for adults and £10 for kids, while paddock passes cost £30, and tickets are available on the gate. For further info, take a looky at cpop.co.uk.

Oh, and there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing...

[dave stew]

Nice to hear the Southern Centric BBC taking the p*ss out of this on last week's Top Gear! Looks a great event - I would love to go and watch those Group B rally cars giving it some.

[eddieantifreeze]

I'll be there!

[rhysenna]

Looking forward to seeing and hearing some of the group B machinery.

[Shaun350z]

Going tomorrow and can't wait to see the Bentley Speed 8.

Thanks for jinxing the weather PH, it's bound to rain all weekend now, but at least we'll get some awesome sideways action.

[Killer2005]

Believe I'm going on the Sunday as it's my dads birthday (plus mine next week), however the forcasted weather does look bloody awful .

[thejudderman]

I'll be there tomorrow.... Looking forward to it as it was epic last year.

The pictures are a little on the small side though, the picture of the Napier Bentley (I think thats it) is well worthy of being POTW, or at least a decent resolution.

Edit: My mistake it's the Packard Bentley...

Edited by thejudderman on Friday 15th July 13:57

[gaz9185]

Lucky people who live in the South and Northwest.........no such event ever takes place in the Eastern area (Norfolk/Suffolk) so we have long trips to see any of these events. It's also of concern that admission costs continually go marching upwards which must eventually be self defeating.

[Adz The Rat]

Im going on Sunday, really looking forward to it.
I hope its dry enough to use my camera, dont fancy getting that soaked.

[YorkshireAndy]

I'm there tomorrow. Camera charged up and waterproof clothing packed. I have been to Goodwood FoS twice (in the nineties) so will be interested to see how this compares.

Andy

[silversixx]

Have been there today with Chris-R and Riggers. Would suggest you stand close to the bridge (near the finish line) if you want to see a Conti' GT or an RS1800 fully airbourne

[highflyer]

Total 5h1t for £30 and got the better weather today, 1/2 the tradestands and about 40 cars missing on last year, and they want to compete with Goodwood, not a chance in hell

[jasontrevor]

The organizers this year have got it completely wrong , i used to go and show my car with NORLOG ( Owners club) and you got a free pass in for your time and effort . We thought this year was the same until they decided to change the rules and charge and i think the numbers are down significantly on last year in terms of clubs who will be showing , let's hope they see the error off there ways

[tempus]

+1

[Garlick]

Doesn't sound good.

[gaters]

I went today. I was disappointed with the car turn out from a owners club perspective - seemed the enclosures were empty!! The race was interesting, but for £25 each adult I thought they were asking too much for too little to see.

[Court Jester]

We are there tomorrow and can't wait. First time at CPOP so not sure what to expect. Hoping bit more "grass roots" and less polished than Goodwood has become in recent years. Not sure what others are complaining at re price, 2 paddock pass entry tickets, programme and parking £42.00 is very reasonable in my opinion for a full day (Harewood Hill Climb is £20.00 for 2 people without the extras advertised at CPOP) so we will see what tomorrow is like!!

[rhysenna]

40 cars missing? WTF? Going tomorrow so hope them 40 cars are there!

[macp]

Im also planning to go sunday as car shopping on saturday but the weather looks seriously bad

[CharlieHotel]

We should be used to the weather!
I'm attending Sunday and will be packing the wellies more than likely.
Anybody any tips on where to spectate other than the bridge?
Also what's not to miss?

[Johnston]

Think there is a bit of an issue with car clubs but will get a better idea today as it was never going to be that busy yesterday on a week day. I suspect it will be much busier today and especially tomorrow. My Club had nobody there yesterday but 5-6 cars each day over the weekend. However, we have had 10-15 cars each day in the past.

I actually really enjoyed it yesterday (my 3rd year of CPOP). The sun helped but there was lots to see and do and no shortage of nice cars on the course. Shame they don't do a cavalcade at some point for the car clubs so they can be seen on track. Looking forward to getting a ride out in the Jaguar XJ220 with Sporting Bears over the weekend. ALL money raised goes to Wingate Children's Charity and the cars and drivers associated deserve a pat on the back for giving up the time, petrol and beautiful cars to help kids less fortunate than most.