The organisers of the unique and historic Layer Marney Cup motoring event have today revealed a mainly coastal route for this year’s run which takes place on Sunday August 12th.  Starting and finishing at magnificent Essex Stately Homes, the 80-mile event can be treated as both a Petrol Consumption Trial, as originally conceived in 1914, and a classic and post-classic car run.

Entries are still open and competitors may opt in or out of the actual petrol consumption trial aspect of the run. Another unique feature of what is now a popular addition to the classic car calendar is the class structure. There are 12 classes, starting with Pre -1915 and then in ten year increments to Class 11 , 2005 to the present day. A final hybrid class has been added this year.

The 2018 run’s start will be at the former Augustinian Canon’s home known as St Osyth’s Abbey which dates to the 11th century, by kind permission of the owner Tim Sergeant.  This stunning Monastery is not open to the general public.

The route will initially head south to the seaside village of Jaywick, then along the coast via the seaside resorts of Clacton, Frinton and Walton, around Pennyhole Bay to the port of Harwich. The route then heads westwards tracking the River Stour through Wrabness, Mistley and Manningtree and then into “Constable Country” through Dedham to the lunch halt at Hall Farm, Stratford St Mary.

After the stop, the competitors will head south and to the east of Colchester, and then via Wivenhoe, Rowhedge, Fingringhoe and over the Abberton Reservoir to a re-fuelling stop at the town of Tiptree, known for its jam factory. Then it is a just a few miles to the finish at magnificent Layer Marney Tower, the tallest Tudor Gatehouse in Britain. Here the cars will be on display for the rest of the afternoon together with other static motoring exhibits. A motoring banquet will be held at Layer Marney on Saturday evening, which is open to the public.

Entries are now open via the website at the cost of £55 which includes lunch for two and a souvenir finisher’s award. Click here for more.