More than 40,000 people descended on an event on the Shropshire border for a high-powered weekend blending action on track, water and air.

The third annual Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, near Whitchurch, was held on Saturday and yesterday, and it proved to be a fabulous celebration of motoring, power boat racing, aerial displays and a helicopter festival, together with a Military Tattoo and fireworks concert finale.

A wide variety of classic cars, pre-war racing cars, vintage and classic motorcycles took turns along the specially created track, running through the stately home grounds of Cholmondeley Castle near Whitchurch.

Internationally famous rally cars including the Rothmans Ford Escort, Lancia Delta Intergrale, Audi Quattro and Lancia Stratos provided plenty of entertainment for the spectators.

This year, a tribute was paid to Tom Wheatcroft, a renowned figure in British motorsport, who died last autumn. He amassed a prized private collection of Grand Prix cars, making his Donington Museum one of the finest in the world.

Rare

Several of these rare cars appeared at Cholmondeley for the first time since having been raced many years ago, including three Vanwalls, a Ferrari and a BRM.

Other crowd-pleasers included “the world’s fastest digger” – a JCB powered by a V8 drag-racing engine which can ‘pull wheelies’, create a smoke screen and reach up to 115 miles per hour.

Modern racers and their machines added a little stunt riding to the proceedings and a special muddy section was allocated for the vintage scramblers and side-car outfits.

Car clubs, including Mini, Lotus, MG, TVR, Triumph and Porsche brought hundreds of vehicles to show, featuring restoration and renovation projects.

Overhead a steady stream of aerial displays, including the Battle of Britain Hurricane, RAF helicopters from Shawbury and the Breitling wing-walkers’ display team gave the visitors yet more entertainment to enjoy.

The show is expanding each year and continues to provide a great spectacle for anyone interested in the sight and sounds of power.

By Suzanne Roberts