Car enthusiast clubs throughout the UK and Europe are being invited to get in gear for an inaugural celebration event to be staged this autumn at the home of British motor sport. Destination is the Isle of  sprint and its associated events. The atmosphere and excitement of those years will be recaptured in a programme dedicated to the classic car, staged against a background of stunning landscapes in a community that has a passion for the automobile.
The festival is a joint project between the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co., its travel agency Magic Holidays and island-based event organisers FAD Promotions. And it is backed by the Tourism Department’s Special Events division.
Groups from car clubs of all kinds will experience the pleasure of sharing the event with like-minded enthusiasts and enjoying activities of their choice, because the Classic Cavalcade is offering time out for Clubs to do their own thing. Which means they get the best of both worlds. The programme so far looks like this:
Day One, on September 18th, gets everyone to the Island aboard a Steam Packet ferry or Seacat from Liverpool or Heysham. A Welcome Reception follows at the House of Manannan, the Island’s new multi-million pound heritage centre at Peel on the west coast.
On Day Two, drivers will discover the Druidale Trail, a challenging run on undulating closed roads, revealing remarkable vistas of the Island’s most dramatic scenery.
An early buffet in the capital of Douglas precedes an evening at the 100-year-old Gaiety Theatre for “An Evening With” celebrity performance.
Day Three features a massive Classic Jamboree in parklands bordering the promenade at Ramsey in the north of the Island. Club groups will each have their own location and will be invited to parade their top classic cars in a show arena. There’ll be prizes for those judged overall ‘best presented car’ in their age group – judges’ decision is final! Everyone gets a buffet lunch and the afternoon and evening are free for club get-togethers reflecting their own individuality and character. If required, the organisers will provide ideas and suggestions and will help to make them happen.
Then, on Day Four, the programme offers one of the most challenging and coveted of all the Island’s unique motoring experiences – a chance to drive the 12km mountain section of the world-famous TT Circuit on roads closed just for the occasion. There’s nothing like it because there’s only one TT road racing capital of the world.
Finally, it’s all topped off with a sparkling Gala Dinner in Douglas before the return ferry or Seacat voyage on September 22nd, Day Five.
All this, including hotel accommodation, breakfasts and the meals specified in the programme as well as the sea crossing, is included in the package price of £365 per person (conditions apply). It also covers rally plates, road books and event badges. Clubs’ own events on the Saturday may incur additional costs, depending on what they do.
If participants want to extend their stay to sample more of the Island, that can also be arranged. Places on this brand new classic event are limited, so early booking is advised. The organisers suggest that Clubs nominate a representative to co-ordinate bookings. Once deposits have been paid, you don't have to find the balance until six weeks before the travel date.
Full details from FAD on 01624 614806 or pb@mcb.net, Magic Holidays on 08457 585833, or Martin Wootten on 01202 474358, mwootten@lineone.net
 The Isle of Man spans just 33 miles by 13 and is an independent community with 10,000 years of history and the oldest continuous parliament in the world. It is not - and never has been - part of the United Kingdom, so it has a culture, language, laws and traditions all of its own. But everyone speaks English and the local pound circulates quite happily with its counterpart from across the water. In 1905, it staged the first ever Tourist Trophy race for cars.Man, where the spirit of classic cars is embodied in a unique motoring heritage stretching back for more than 100 years.
Now, in the true traditions of that spirit, the Island will host the first Manx Classic Cavalcade - five days of classic enjoyment expected to attract up to 400 cars and 600 visitors over five days in September.
The 2003 Classic Cavalcade will pick up the torch lit at the end of the 20th century on the Island by the Manx Classic pursuit