Italian classics welcome at La Vie en Blu

The annual pageant of French motoring enthusiasm, La Vie en Blu, is widening its appeal to include Italian cars under the banner ‘La Vito Rosso’.

A host of cars have been confirmed for next year’s event, which will be its tenth running. There’s a Bugatti Veyron Supersport and a Bugatti Pur Sang, but also a Ferrari Enzo, and a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB set to appear.

Described by enthusiasts as a miniature Goodwood Revival, the 2016 must-do motoring event takes place on 28-29 May at the Prescott Hill Climb in Gotherington, Gloucestershire.

Over the weekend, the venue will be transformed in celebration of fine French and Italian automobiles, themed entertainment, trade stalls and visiting car clubs.

There’s a whole raft of entertainment booked, to keep the whole family amused throughout the weekend. Gracing the main stage will be Mark Halliday, known throughout Europe and the USA for his Dean Martin act in the hit musical ‘Rat Pack - Live from Las Vegas’.

Mark will bring the style, panache and wit of the original crooner Dean Martin to Prescott and performing the legendary hits ‘That’s Amore’ to ‘Mambo Italiano’ plus many more.

Alongside attractions such as a roving accordion player, and popular stilt walkers, there will be the Vegas Showgirls swapping their feathers for flapper dresses and performing Charleston routines to French inspired Electro Swing songs.

Taking to the skies above, will be Tiger Aerobatics and their vintage air display (both days, weather permitting).

As Nick Mason, Pink Floyd drummer and avid car collector, said, ‘Despite being called La Vie en Bleu, the event is quintessentially British - a mini Goodwood Festival of Speed set in the glorious Cotswolds - celebrating French cars, but in a British way.

‘It’s a club motor sport at its best, where visitors can mingle with the cars, speak to the drivers, and watch rare historic vehicles to modern day supercars being pushed to their limits.’

Tickets will be on sale in January at a special ‘buy one get one free’ for a limited time only. Visit: www.prescott-hillclimb.com

Photos: Allan Rhodes