By Kind Permission of the Sandhurst Trust
A day of driving events, the annual Concours d’Etat and picnic
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Surrey GU15 4PQ
Sunday 3rd July 2016
The 20-Ghost Club will be back at the RMA Sandhurst on Sunday 3rd July 2016 for the first time in approximately 40 years for a day of varied events including driving tests, the annual Concours d’ Etat, both of which will take place on the magnificent parade square to the front of New College, a picnic beside the stunning Sandhurst lake and an optional guided tour of the Chapel, Old College and other important building within the Academy complex. The Sandhurst Day of driving challenges was a well loved event on the Club’s annual fixtures list between 1963 and the mid 1970’s and we are delighted to have resurrected it.
We are also delighted that we shall be joined for the Day’s Events by members and their cars from The Napier Register. As is well known Napier produced fine cars of the highest quality that for a number of years were serious rivals to the Rolls-Royce marque.
With a heritage stretching back to the 18th Century, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) has an incredibly rich and historic archive. The Sandhurst Collection that can be seen on the optional guided tour exists to promote military tradition and ethos to the Officer Cadets and preserve the heritage of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The collection of pictures, silver, decorative art, weaponry, and other objects, foster a sense of military pride and tradition through their display around the academy. The Sandhurst Collection also preserves and manages the archives of the academy. The archives contain records of the academy and its predecessors; the Royal Military College Sandhurst 1799-1939 and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich 1741-1939. It also maintains the archive of the current academy which was established in 1947.
We will be parking and holding the driving tests in front of New College on the parade square and
participants should aim to arrive from about 10.00 when tea/coffee and biscuits will be available following which the first of the tests will begin at around 10.45am with judging taking place at around12.45pm.
The tests will include the ‘Wiggle Waggle’ through cones, some Manoeuvrability Tests and some tests to demonstrate how well tuned a car is by driving a ‘Snail Race’ in which participants will be invited to drive on a course in top gear at the slowest speed possible without stalling. Many of these tests will favour the smaller horsepower cars due to their ease of manoeuvrability and general handiness and we look forward to a good number competing. Prizes will be awarded for the highest points scored.
Following on from this participants can either walk or take their cars to the lake for the picnic lunch (which all participants will provide for themselves) from around 1.00pm. We are hopeful of being able to have the use of a marquee if the weather is inclement and further information will be provided closer to the date. At 2.30pm we shall hold the Concours d’Etat and after judging at 3.00pm there will be the option of having a guided tour of the Chapel, Old College where the fascinating Sandhurst Collection of historical archives is displayed, and other buildings within the complex following which the day will end at approximately 4.00 – 4.30pm. Obviously those not taking advantage of the tour will be able to leave earlier if they wish.
The main entrance of the Royal Military Academy, the Staff College gate, is situated on the A30 (the London Road) opposite Camberley town centre and is about 30 miles from London. The M3 is approximately 2 miles distance and the M25 is approximately 7 miles from the College.
The cost of the day will be £10 per car plus £25 per person to include refreshments upon arrival plus £5 per person if one wishes to take the optional guided tour (recommended). Please note that passengers who are less than 17 y/o will be charged only for the optional guided tour.
Parking for trailers will be available for those who opt to trail their cars to the event.
Those wishing to stay in the area on Saturday night are recommended towards Penny Hill Park Hotel Bagshot (enquiries@pennyhillpark.co.uk) this is about a ten minute drive from Sandhurst or Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel Lime Avenue, Off Portsmouth Road, Camberley Surrey GU15 2BG Tel 0344 879 9110. Both of these have good car parking. There are a number of other very adequate and more reasonably priced Hotels locally to be found on Google. Participants should make their own booking arrangements.
Please Note: The RMA Sandhurst is a high security area and participants and their passengers MUST bring photographic identification with them, preferably an up to date Passport or in the alternative another form of photographic identification such as a driving licence. They will be required to present these to the Guardhouse where they will be given a Day Pass. Entry could be denied if such identification is not provided. You have been warned! We shall remind all participants of this vital requirement some seven days before the 3rd July.
Please bring some cardboard or similar suitable material to place under the cars when on the Parade Square to prevent oil drips.
