Photos by Gary Sargent



All roads led to Ormskirk as engines roared for the fifth Ormskirk MotorFest once again and around 30,000 visited throughout the day to enjoy the fantastic annual extravaganza.

















Around 300 marvellous cars and motorcycles covering over a century of motoring and automotive heritage and history featured on wonderful displays in Ormskirk town centre and Coronation Park.













Stars of the show included drivers from the United States and Europe in Formula 1 stock cars, and the Bentley Drivers Club, who brought a model of Bentley for every decade starting from the 1920s.









The University of Bolton’s Centre for Advanced Performance Engineering brought a Ginetta G40, and professional racing driver Anna Walewska, while the American Auto Club North West brought some fabulous vehicles, including a Chevrolet Impala and a Dodge Charger, and there were also fantastic Ferraris, Porsches and the crowd pleasing bubble cars.









Many of the cars took part in parade laps which former Top Gear presenter Steve Berry commentated on to keep the crowds informed about the wonderful machines traversing the town centre. He also used his expert eye as one of the judges in the Concours d’Elegance competition, which saw some of the best presented cars competing for prizes in individual classes.

The overall winner was Dave Thomas’ Kawasaki A1R, which was the first Kawasaki motorbike to win a race in the United Kingdom when Dave rode it at Cadwell Park in 1967.

Ormskirk MotorFest is a free event organised by Aintree Circuit Club and supported by West Lancashire Borough Council, and according to Councillor John Hodson, portfolio holder for Planning, was a fantastic day out for all the family.

"I was really pleased to see so many people in Ormskirk enjoying themselves. I hope that the businesses that opened up for the occasion all had a good day as well.

“The MotorFest provides fantastic value for money for council taxpayers as the authority works well with the organisers Aintree Circuit Club to set up the extravaganza and thousands of people come along to enjoy one of the biggest free family events in the North West.”

As well as all the fabulous cars there was a display of amazing equipment by the army including field guns, trucks and cranes of all shapes at Park Pool. Many MotorFest visitors inspected the equipment and tried out the army’s assault course and climbing wall.

The crowds also enjoyed the fantastic Vintage and Handmade Fair, which saw a great selection of stalls selling art and crafts, retro, vintage and up-cycled wares in the Chapel Gallery and bus station car park. Fabulous entertainment was provided by a Charlie Chaplin look alike, the Cotton Town Hot Club and vintage DJs, and there were creative activities for families. There was also musical entertainment from Trinity Girls’ Brass Band and Merchant Taylors Sax Jazz Group.

Mike Ashcroft, Aintree Circuit Club chairman, said: “I am delighted we were able to bring such a marvellous event to the streets of Ormskirk once again. There were some wonderful vehicles on display and the vintage market and Army display added some great attractions for people to enjoy.”

“We are very grateful to the Borough Council and the police for their support and to all our sponsors and volunteer marshals. We’d also like to say thanks to all the drivers and riders who came from far and wide to display their cars and motorcycles.”

The Mayor’s Choice Award winner for best car was Colin Penn’s 1972 VW Westphalia Conversion Camper Van and the Mayor’s Choice Award winner for best motorcycle was the Suzuki F2 Sidecar owned by Alan Molyneux.

*QLocal would like to thank Gary Sargent of 127 Media, Burscough for the majority of these brilliant photos along with Rose Halsall and finally Steve Kirton of the West Lancs MG Owners Club, a regular QLocal Ormskirk contributor.