This year sees a new collaboration between one of the major names in the worldwide finance industry, Credit Suisse, and a well-established event in Jersey’s tourism calendar. The company has announced that for the next three years it will be the new sponsor of the Jersey Festival of Motoring, a weekend event for vintage touring and racing cars.

The Jersey Old Motor Club created this unique event, which is tailored for, historic and classic car enthusiasts in 1999. In conjunction with Jersey Tourism a three-day touring rally was held and in that first year alone 150 cars and more than 300 participants from the UK and Europe flocked to Jersey.

Every year attracts new participants and spectators. Among the cars to take part in recent years have been a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, a 1956 Morgan 4/4 and Austin Healeys of various ages. Other cars to make an appearance have included Lotus, Alfa and MGB.

It was decided to expand the touring event to include a “historic car” racing element, and with the help of the St. Helier authorities, two hill climbs were identified at Westmount Road and Mount Bingham, and the “Jersey Festival of Motoring” was created. The Victoria Avenue Sprints were added to the full itinerary the following year – quite a coup to obtain permission to close one of the island’s roads to allow “old cars” to race!  In fact the Channel Islands are unique in allowing closed “public roads” for competition events.  Members of Classic & Vintage Motor Racing Club have, for many years, helped with the competitive events in conjunction with UK officials and marshals.  In 2007 JOMC invited the CMVRC to completely run the competition element, and that partnership was formalised for future Festivals.

Since 1999 the event has taken place every year, gaining in popularity and recognition from motoring enthusiasts and clubs throughout the UK and Europe, and is ranked the third most popular festival in Jersey, after the Battle of Flowers and the International Air Display, and is backed by Jersey Tourism.

The Credit Suisse Jersey Festival of Motoring has now emerged into an all round experience for touring and competitive cars, which includes two “closed public road'” hillclimbs and a seafront sprint, plus an encompassing touring rally discovering the delights of Jersey featuring the countryside, manors and farms -and a variety of social evenings for all participants. Jersey is a wonderful destination and is ideal for “older motoring” with magnificent scenery and superb beaches, not to mention the famed fresh seafood.