We've said before that Veloce is the ultimate trackday. Its blend of some of the world's best cars and best-known drivers is truly unique. It also takes places at one of the most exciting circuits in the UK. So, it can't be improved, right?
Well, the organisers didn't agree and, as a result, Veloce 2022 might just have been the best yet. At Lockton Performance, we're honoured to be co-sponsors of an event that has raised over £700,000 for its associated charities in the past five years. Whilst you might be forgiven for thinking that we've got carried away once again with the sights and sounds of this amazing event, please read on.
This year saw Veloce switch from Goodwood to the home of the British Grand Prix and countless other motor racing: Silverstone located at the heart of the UK's motorsport industry, both literally and geographically.
Our base for the day? The world-famous wing building and pit complex, the same pit lane where the world's fastest drivers and pit crews do their stuff.
The line-up of cars this year more than befitted such a prestigious venue. The Harrods liveried McLaren F1 GTR made a very welcome return (as did Derek Bell who drove this very car at Le Mans in period). It was joined by a Bugatti Veyron and Jaguar's ultimate 1950s pairing of D Type and XKSS. Candidate for loudest car of the day goes to the BMW CSL “Batmobile”, resplendent in period correct Jägermeister sponsored orange colour scheme – although one car may have outdone even the side exit exhaust of this legend of saloon car racing – see below.
To top this, we were treated to a Formula One car. A Minardi powered by arguably one of the best engines of the past 25 years: – a V10 Cosworth. This beautiful piece of engineering produces around 750 horsepower and boasts a rare feature. It is one of few F1 cars to have two seats. This meant that, for a lucky few, they were able to experience the thrill of being on board a real F1 car, at speed, on one of the world's greatest circuits.
The Minardi was brought to Veloce by the former Minardi boss (and team owner) Paul Stoddart, the man who introduced the world to the talents of one of the most highly regarded drivers in the history of the sport. His name? Fernando Alonso.The MInardi was comfortably the day's loudest machine and a reminder of just how incredible Formula One cars sounded not that long ago!
At this point, you might think that this is it; surely, the event can't add anything else to the mix? Well, you'd be wrong – and how. If you bring a proper F1 car to an event, then you have to hand driving duties to someone who knows what they're doing.
This job was shared between former Minardi driver Zsolt Baumgartner and a certain Mr Damon Hill – you know, the chap who won a hard fought F1 championship against a gent named Michael Schumacher some 25 years ago.
Rides in the Minardi were sold at auction by the team at Collecting Cars – a new face on the sponsor list but an already well-established operation in the world of the virtual specialist car auction.
Damon was not alone as this year we welcomed Jonathan Palmer together with many returning faces, all of whom very generously give up their time to treat visitors to the ride(s) of their life.
Luckily, the day dawned sunny and warm with not a cloud in sight. Guests gathered in the spectacular wing building before heading out for passenger laps. As always, Chris and the team at Veloce ran the day impeccably and everyone was able to take to the track in a variety of machinery.
Our guests for the day included our new social media partner Petrol Ped (Pete). Pete and Lockton will be working together on a number of exciting projects and, judging by his YouTube feature on the event, he enjoyed himself immensely. While it is both easy and forgivable to be in awe of the cars, drivers and circuit, the overriding goal of Veloce continues to be raising funds for charity and, once again, they delivered. The total of £200,000 is a truly astonishing and humbling sum.
This brings the total Veloce has raised since its first event in 2017 to over £700,000 for its partner charities: Hope For Tomorrow and,The Halow Project who focus on the areas of mobile care for cancer patients and giving young people with learning disabilities every chance in life.
Lockton continues to be a very proud founding sponsor of this amazing and unforgettable event and we are already looking forward to next year. We didn't think it was possible to improve on the ultimate and we are thankful that Veloce continues to prove us wrong.