The historic hill climb in Princes Risborough is gearing up for another spectacular event featuring iconic machines from land and air.
The event returns this weekend (September 21 and 22) with over 400 historic cars and motorcycles taking on the famous hill, plus a vintage planes fly-past and an historic racing car with a difference.
A breathtaking Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will grace the skies above Kop Hill on the Sunday. featuring a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Lancaster – sure to draw fans from far and wide, providing the weather holds up.
And surely on everyone’s ‘must see’ list this year will be the Napier Railton racer, courtesy of the Brooklands Museum.
The 24-litre aero-engined World Land Speed Record Holder from 1939 to 1947 is hard to ignore, even nowadays. It is almost five meters long, and the sound of the engine has been likened to ‘the sound of a thousand storms’.
Vehicles span 11 decades of motoring history, ranging in age from the early 1900s to modern day exotics. A fabulous weekend is lined up for enthusiasts, but Kop Hill Climb is also about families, so there will be plenty for all to see and do.
Spectators will be challenged to enter if you dare the Wall of Death, climb aboard the cockpit of an Avro Shackleton and try their hand on track with the Racing Bug.
And the rumour is there will be ghosts at Kop Hill, too. Not the usual kind of ghost but the 20 Ghost Club which is bringing 13 of one of Britain’s most iconic marques, the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.
They are expected to climb Kop Hill in a dramatic cavalcade.
Back by popular demand are Haurel and Lardy, recreating the legendary double act. A children’s area, trade village and food and drink court all ensure there is something for everyone to see.
Kop Hill ale will be back this year, after a runaway success at its launch in 2012.
And budding designers and racers have been told to get their thinking caps on (or should that be racing helmets?) and take part in another soapbox challenge.
The challenge is open to competitors aged 10 to 17 to design, construct and compete in their own gravity-powered soapbox cart.
Last year saw the first challenge, where 16 teams ranging from Green Onions and The Snails, through The Lightning Longwicks to The Lean Mean Green Machine competed for the coveted trophies and a host of prizes.
The objective of the Kop Hill Climb revival is to raise money for local charities. All the organising team and helpers are volunteers. Last year over £37,000 was distributed, and more than £128,000 has been raised since the revival started in 2009.
> Advanced tickets are available now at discounted prices.
Go to the website http://www.kophillclimb.info for full ticket details and purchase, plus details of the event.
> Advance ticket adult £8 one day/£15 weekend.
> No charge for children 12 and under and parking is free.
>One complimentary programme per group.
> Grandstand tickets £5 for half day session.