The 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (14 to 16 June), the UK’s biggest celebration of power and speed, will play host to some of the world’s greatest modern supercars, as the latest models from illustrious marques including Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley and many more go head-to-head to claim victory in the Pageant’s timed Supercar class.
The Supercar class is the most hotly contested element of the Pageant’s on-track action, and is also the class which has most consistently produced the winner of the fastest-lap award each year. Entrants in 2013 will include the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera Edizione Tecnica and McLaren 12C, two of the most iconic supercars of the moment. Cholmondeley’s demanding 1.2-mile circuit will give crowds the chance to see which is fastest as they each attempt to beat the course record over the weekend.
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For many drivers and petrolheads, merely going quickly isn’t necessarily enough, however, and a number of ultra-exclusive hypercars will also be taking to the track to win visitors’ hearts as well as the event’s podium places.
Among these will be the two fastest road cars in the world – the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (1,184 bhp and a top speed of 268 mph) and Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, the fastest convertible ever produced, with a top speed of 254 mph. The technological landmark Lexus LFA also joins the hypercar pack as one of the most dramatic vehicles the world has ever seen, and also one of the rarest. The Pageant of Power will be one of the only opportunities that visitors get to see these hallowed cars in one place in the UK this year.
Also taking to the Cholmondeley circuit will be the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ‘Ice Speed Record’ car, which in 2011, set a new ice speed record of 205.5 mph at the hands of rally-ace, Juha Kankkunen.
Other entrants into the Pageant of Power’s fastest racing class are the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Bentley Continental GT Speed, and a host of home-grown British supercar talent, including the stunning new Jaguar F-Type, Noble M600 and Morgan Aero Supersports.
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Beyond the glitz and glamour of most entrants to the Supercar class, however, lightweight ‘giant-slaying’ sports cars from Great Britain remain strong favourites to clinch the outright lap record, despite costing a fraction of their competitors. These include the Ariel Atom 3.5, Radical SR8 RX, BAC Mono and Caterham SP/300.R. The Caterham set a new fastest lap for a car around the 1.2-mile circuit in 2012, with a blistering time of just 61.89 seconds.
Centenary celebrations for Aston Martin, and a 50th birthday for iconic Italian brand Lamborghini will also give visitors the chance to get up close with some of the most beautiful and most powerful sports cars ever made. Over 100 Aston Martin models and more than 30 Lamborghinis will be on display throughout the weekend, including the all-new Aston Martin Vanquish, and the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, making its UK debut at the Pageant of power. Both are famous for their power, beauty and sheer theatre.
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“The Supercar class gives visitors to the Pageant the ideal opportunity to witness the sights, sounds and awesome power of some of the rarest and most beautiful road cars currently in production,” commented James Hall, Event Director at the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. “Last year’s lap record, set by the giant-slaying Caterham SP/300.R, is sure to have ruffled some feathers in the class, so I’m sure that we’re in for a thrilling on-track battle this June.”
Now in its sixth year, the 2013 Pageant will take place on the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire from 14 to 16 June, celebrating power and performance in its many forms. Until 13 June, adult tickets start at just £24 for the Friday Preview Day, and £32 to see all the action on Saturday or Sunday. Under-16 tickets are currently available from just £5 for the Friday Preview Day and £7 for Saturday and Sunday tickets.
