Vintage Speed Trials Grimsthorpe Castle

Report by David Gowshall off DEEGEE Motorsport Photography

Saturday 1^st July

Vintage Speed Trials on the land surrounding Grimsthorpe Castle initially played host to the Lincolnshire Automobile Club on a summer’s day in 1903 when Sir Hickman Bacon, the founder of the club, and his fellow pioneering Edwardian car and motorbike enthusiasts met for the first time to test their vehicles. 

These ‘Reliability Trials’ continued until 1911 and gave owners the chance to compete against the clock as 

well as against fellow club members.

Just over five years ago, hoping to revive this tradition, Richard Powell, who loved historic racing and vintage cars, approached the landowners of the Castle. Thankfully, as a result of those discussions the event was re-established in 2018 within the beautiful three thousand acre estate at Grimsthorpe, near Bourne in Lincolnshire, against a backdrop containing the stunning red deer park, a large natural lake and the castle itself.

The Castle, which stands on a small hill overlooking the surrounding countryside, and has been in the hands of the Willoughby family since 1516, forms the centrepiece of the Estate and is the perfect backdrop for the occasion.

Over a century later the spirit of these early meetings used by pioneer racers to prove their machines and driving skill was perfectly revived, transporting those attending back in time to the early days of British Motorsport.



The initial event was more akin to a hill-climbing trial. It started by the lake in the castle’s deer park (which was designed by “Capability” Brown) through which the competitors would drive or ride up a half-mile track climbing gently to a spectacular finish line beside the Castle.

The sloped embankment in front of the Castle gave spectators an unrivalled view of the track and whole event.

However, this inaugural event, which was not helped by awful weather, highlighted to the organisers that it needed to be more compact. Following discussions with the castle’s owners, in 2019 it took place on the majestic tree-lined avenue leading up to the Grade I listed building’s façade, created by British architect Sir John Vanbrugh, who also designed Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard in the 18th century.

Covid sadly accounted for the 2020 event, but it returned, along with the crowds in 2021, and was a huge success. 

Following the sad death in 2022 of the founder of these more recent Vintage Speed Trials, Richard Powell, a small team devoted to reviving the spirit of pre-war speed trialling (headed by Mel Hart) organised the 2023 event held last weekend, aiming to uphold the rich legacy of motorsport associated with Grimsthorpe and the nearby town of Bourne, which also has its own rich automobile history as the home of racing driver Raymond Mays and his Bourne based ERA and BRM companies.

Owners of pre-war cars and motorcycles brought their vintage vehicles to the event, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin and H&H Auctions, evoking the pioneering days of British motorsport.



On the packed schedule were an array of around 100 diverse vehicles which, between 10am and 4pm, took turns to run down the track four times.

Not only could spectators see the cars and bikes in action, they could also get up close to the vehicles and talk to owners and drivers in the paddock.

The event was run by a very small team of volunteers but was well organised, relaxed and friendly, with, it appeared, a minimum of rules.

In keeping with the spirit of those early races, marshals patrolled in brown dust coats, a vintage commentary caravan was the centre of all activity, and everyone was invited to wear their own vintage outfit and encouraged to take picnics or feast on locally sourced Lincolnshire food available on stalls. 

The day and the setting perfectly transported visitors back to the pre-war period of British Motor Racing.

The timed runs got underway just after 10.00 am and featured a wide array of machines.

They took place on a simple 1/4 mile sprint up the Castle’s main drive. It was non-competitive but, unusually for a demonstration, the runs are loosely timed mainly to add a bit of spice for spectators, but also making it a bit more interesting for entrants.

What the cars and bikes on show lacked in performance they more than made up for in elegance, helping to transport the many spectators back to an unhurried era.

There was something for the whole family, for as well as the spectacle of these magnificent racing machines against the backdrop of one of the county’s finest stately homes, there was also the opportunity to look around Grimsthorpe Castle and its beautiful gardens and parkland. 

Although winning the event is a priority for some, most “competitors” simply enjoy showing off their prized cars and bikes and taking the time to wave to the spectators that line the course.

The expertise shown by the organising team to recreate a friendly event and capture the atmosphere and authentic feel of the pre-war motoring era for drivers, restoration enthusiasts and spectators alike was captured perfectly on a day during which the weather improved, finishing in warm sunshine, and they should be complimented on the event. 

Every effort was made to make it the best Vintage Speed Trials thus far, to celebrate Richard Powell’s legacy, and to host an event of which he’d be really proud, and that was achieved perfectly.

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