The first ever Celebration of Speed event is roaring into Lympstone Manor

Contemporary country house Lympstone Manor has announced it is to host its inaugural Celebration of Speed event on Wednesday 11 July 2018, in celebration of Porsche’s 70th birthday. The event will also offer guests the exclusive opportunity to get behind the wheel of Williams Martini Racing Formula 1 Championship cars – the company behind the design and development of racing cars that has secured 16 FIA Formula One World Championship titles since its foundation in 1977 – as well as supercars from the South-West Helston Garages Group, and Michelin-starred meals, it’s set to attract motoring aficionados from across the country.  

Porsche will present some of its iconic models including the Cayenne (2002), Panamera (2009) and Macan (2015) at the event, while Ferrari will display its famed 488 Spider and GTC4 Lusso. Elsewhere, the Levante Maserati, as well as F-type, F-Pace and E-pace Jaguar models will also be exhibited in all their motoring glory. 

Williams Martini Racing – one of the world's leading Formula 1 teams – will enthral car fans with the showcase of the FW08C (1983) Championship car driven by the likes of motor racing alumni Keke Rosberg, Jacques Laffite and Jonathan Palmer, and the first Formula 1 car ever driven by racing legend Ayrton Senna, who tested for the team at Donnington Park in the summer of 1983. The company will also show the FW36 (2014) driven by F1 stars Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, and the first turbo-powered car Williams had since 1987.

Related: On your marks: Silverstone to host 2018 Rolex British Grand Prix

“On behalf of all at Williams Martini Racing, I am delighted to support Michael and visit Lympstone Manor for the Celebration of Speed event,” Paddy Lowe, chief technical officer at Williams Martini Racing, said. “As a team, we greatly value our partnership with [chef] Michael Caines and this event is a fitting example of how we work closely together throughout the year," he said. "It is also great to see we’ll be showcasing two Williams Heritage cars in the form of the Williams FW08C and FW36 in such a spectacular location. It is set to a be a great event to which I am thoroughly looking forward.”

In the evening, there will be a sumptuous gala dinner in the fine dining room, providing guests with a Michelin-starred five-course tasting menu and matched wines under the guidance of Grade II listed Lympstone Manor hotel’s chef Patron Michael Caines. Proceedings will conclude with a charity auction of exclusive Formula 1 memorabilia and driving experiences in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association, the official charity of Williams Martini Racing.