British Motor Show refresh The Ellis Journey car run with new features for 2024.
The Ellis Journey Veteran Car Run returns on the 6th & 7th of July 2024 with an even bigger and better event planned.
Now in its first full year under the stewardship of the team at Automotion Events, the team also behind the British Motor Show, The Ellis Journey is back with some exciting new additions to create an even better experience for participants.
This year’s event will not only recreate the famous historical journey for Veteran Car Drivers, it will also feature celebrity hosts, a full evening of live entertainment, keynote speakers and great food.
The event, one of the most important historical car journeys in the UK, is a re-enactment of the very first documented car journey made in the UK, in 1895.
On the 5th July 1895 The Hon. Evelyn Ellis set off on a 4 hp Panhard et Levassor from Micheldever Railway Station, accompanied by another motoring pioneer, Frederick Simms heading for Datchet. They left the station at precisely 9.26am with Simms recording every detail of the journey as the took the old London coaching road, travelling via Basingstoke through Bagshot, finally arriving at Ellis’s riverside home in Datchet at 5.40pm.
The Ellis Journey was deliberately made in contravention of the legal speed limit at the time – they averaged almost 10mph without the required attendant walking in front of the car with a red flag, when they should not have exceeded 4 mph on any part of the journey. Ellis had hoped to be arrested to create a test case and challenge the law, however the police did not attend.
The annual re-enactment follows as near as possible the original route and is an open to Cars, Motor Cycles, Commercial Vehicles and Bicycles manufactured before 1905
This year the entry to The Ellis Journey has be made even simpler with 2 choices – Entry only, or a new all-inclusive package. Based on the feedback from participants and partners, we have been working to make the whole Ellis Journey weekend an even more memorable one.
This year’s all-inclusive package not only includes entry to The Ellis Journey, it also includes accommodation, a 3 course meal on Saturday evening and Sunday morning breakfast at the the fabulous Norton Park Hotel, as well as trailer parking and transfers.
Not only that, participants will have the chance to join us on a tour of a local brewery or vineyard, with return coach travel from Norton Park on Saturday 6th, as well as an extended programme of entertainment in the evening. This years guest speaker will be Chris Haynes, Chairman of Haynes Motor Museum and son of John Haynes, founder of the Haynes automotive publishing empire, with after dinner entertainment being hosted by star of TV’s Car SOS, Tim Shaw. The BBQ will be replaced with a drinks reception and 3 course meal.
There will also be an opportunity for owners of classic cars through the ages to display at Datchet Green on Sunday 6th July 2024 and join us to welcome the participants as they cross the finish line.
Places on this years Ellis Journey are limited to a maximum of 40 teams, so hit the button below to book now and avoid disappointment
