AMOC Spring Concours chosen as centre stage for the world-exclusive reveal of a new Aston Martin Red Arrows model to raise over £1m for the RAF Benevolent fund.
The AMOC Spring Concours was chosen as centre stage for the world-exclusive reveal of a new limited-edition Vanquish S Red Arrows model – ‘Red 10’ – to be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund by Aston Martin Cambridge to raise over £1m for the Charity. The exclusive launch and spectacular Concours were part of a weekend of special events at the new Aston Martin St Athan manufacturing facility in Wales on Sunday 9 April 2017.
The reveal of ‘Red 10’, just one of the specially commissioned Red Arrows cars created by Aston Martin Cambridge, took place just metres from over 60 Members’ Concours-prepared cars from all eras of model production, including some very rare pre-war Speed, Le Mans and M45 T8 models through to modern DB11 V12 and DB9 GT Volante.
A Red Arrows jet flown in especially by Red 8 Mike Bowden for the occasion, together with other static RAF aircraft, flanked the Concours entrants providing a truly stunning backdrop to the event and prize presentation, all of which took place inside the hangar which will ultimately become the production line for the new Aston Martin DBX model.
AMOC President, Viscountess Diana Downe, presented first prize in the highly coveted Concours Elite Class to Chris Sherry in his immaculate DB9 (2007). Yuki Hayashi won the pre-war class with his outstanding 1933 Le Mans and Anthony Hoskinson took the Fletham title with his DB2/4 Mark III (1958). A hotly contested Gaydon class, attracting 13 entrants, was won by Michael Reed with his DBS Volante (2010). Full results from the Spring Concours can be viewed at www.amoc.org/concours/spring-2017
Simon Lane, Dealer Principal of Aston Martin Cambridge, who commissioned the limited edition collections of 10 Red Arrows tribute cars took to the Concours stage with Mike Neville, Director of Fundraising for the RAF BF, and Red 8 Mike Bowden, as they revealed that ‘Red 10’ would be raffled to the public by the Charity to raise over £1m for injured Service men and women. Tickets for the raffle are £20 each and interest in ticket purchase can be completed via www.rafbf.org/red10 (terms and conditions apply, please see website).
The Spring Concours included a very special Aston Martin Heritage Trust Celebration Display of the DBS (6 cylinder model) which is 50 years old in 2017, and included some beautiful examples of the model.
Says Mark Donoghue, Concours Chair and Deputy Chairman: “Without doubt this is one of the most amazing Concours we have ever staged. So many different elements came together to deliver a wonderful day for our Members and the public alike. We were honoured to be chosen as the launch venue for the exciting project with the Red Arrows and Aston Martin Cambridge car showcasing UK engineering excellence, precision and innovation; hallmarks of both the Royal Air Force and Aston Martin.
“My congratulations go to all our very deserving Concours winners and huge thanks go to all the AMOC staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event so successful.”