It really does give MotorMartin great pleasure to announce that one of the biggest and most popular Simply rallies in Beaulieu’s events calendar, Simply Ford https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-ford/ will return on Sunday 1st May 2016, with more than 1,000 Fords expected to join the display in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Brilliant news, especially for those of us with a keen interest in the Mark and its classic back catalogue. Having loved and lost both a C-reg 2.0 Laser Capri and a C-reg 1.6i Ghia Orion, MotorMartin cannot wait.
Thankfully the show is open to all ages and types of Ford, from treasured show-pieces to road-going projects and day-to-day drivers, even the MotorMartin ’04 Focus, as the show has become well-known for the variety of different models it brings together. From the latest Mondeos, Fiestas and Transits, through much-loved classics such as the Cortina, Escort, Zodiac and Anglia, to pre-war variants, every sector of the thriving classic Ford scene is represented. If you can’t find something of interest at Simply Ford then you’re probably in the wrong place!
The rally will give Ford owners the chance to drive into the Beaulieu parkland, where they can meet like-minded enthusiasts, admire the vehicles on display and enjoy all of the features of the Beaulieu attraction. As Wallace might say, “A grand day out.”
Simply Ford is always well-supported by owners’ clubs and enthusiasts’ groups, with 18 clubs already booked to attend. The Electric Orange ST Club, which impressed spectators at last year’s event with a brightly-coloured display of high-performance Focuses, will return for 2016, while West Country Fords, the Wiltshire Classic Ford Club and the Ford Probe Owners’ Club will also be showcasing a selection of their members’ vehicles. Something for everyone I think.
As is becoming the norm, Beaulieu visitors and rally participants will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite car or van of the show in the People’s Choice Award, with a commemorative Beaulieu trophy and Autoglym prize being awarded to the owner of the most popular car.
Price wise, the organisers have thought long and hard before managing to balance the entrance fee so that the most people and vehicles can attend and for that, MotorMartin is grateful. For rally participants arriving in a Ford, entry to the Beaulieu grounds is from 9am, when the Brabazon restaurant will be serving drinks and breakfast bites. Participant tickets are £10 for an adult and £5 for a child and can be purchased on the day, or in advance on 01590 612888 or www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.
All other visitors should enter Beaulieu via the main reception at normal Beaulieu attraction admission prices.
If any Ford clubs have yet to book or are unaware of the event and its organisation then checkout the website links in this article then book a club stand so that your members can park together within the show. To book your club stand at least two weeks in advance, and for all Ford-related trade enquiries, contact the Beaulieu Events team on 01590 614614 or events@beaulieu.co.uk. Make sure that you do.
For friends taking part in the show with more than one Ford vehicle, please ensure that you all arrive at the same time if you wish to park together.
Admission includes access to all of the Beaulieu attraction. Don’t miss the National Motor Museum’s new Driving Change display, which explores motoring innovations, technology and safety throughout history and makes motoring predictions for the future. Visit On Screen Cars and the World of Top Gear, take a stroll around the Montagu family home Palace House and grounds and the historic ruins of 13th century Beaulieu Abbey. If you can drag yourself away from the myriad of club and trade stands that will be present at the show then their are many more attractions that Beaulieu has to offer as highlighted above.
Simply Ford is part of Beaulieu’s 2016 line-up of Simply rallies, which also includes Simply Japanese, Simply Classics & Sports Car and Simply Aston Martin. For the full list of Simply rallies and other Beaulieu events see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events or follow @Beaulieu_Hants on Twitter.
MotorMartin can’t wait for this show and wishes the organisers and Beaulieu themselves every success.
Where will you go?