S UPERCAR owners from across the East Midlands had the opportunity of putting the latest Bentleys to the test at Donington Park while also helping local charities.
Altogether 20 owners signed up for a full day of driving which opened with them taking part in a motoring cavalcade that brought together some of the most desirable cars around – much to the delight of members of the public as the enthusiasts drove from Stapleford Park in Leicestershire.
Awaiting them at Donington Park were ten new Bentleys for them to drive on part of the circuit, a road route and a special dynamic driving course.
These cars, worth in total of around £2.5m, included two examples of the new Flying Spur, recently launched but not yet on the roads of the UK, three Mulsannes and Continental models.
Sally Brooks, marketing manager at Bentley Leicester, described the exercise as a fabulous opportunity to show off the latest range of Bentley motor cars under extreme driving conditions both on and off-road.
A morning session gave guests of the event sponsors an opportunity to drive the cars supplied by Bentley Motors in Crewe.
The supercar owners had paid £500 to take part with the money going to the newly-formed Star Trust dedicated to helping charities in the East Midlands.
Vehicles in the cavalcade included six Porsche 911s, three Aston Martins, four Ferraris, an Audi R8, an Austin Healey, four Bentley Continentals and a Lotus Elan.
Leicester entrepreneur Shahid Sheikh, who took part in his Bentley Continental GTC, said it was a good way of contributing to charity while also having a good day out.
"We enjoyed a gentle drive through the countryside and gave the public a chance to see a fleet of supercars," he said.
The co-chairmen of the Star Trust, Steve Hampson and Tim Maxted, were highly delighted at the response from local business people.
Tim said it was a fabulous first event for Star Trust with over £15,000 raised for local good causes.
"It was a great day where owners could enjoy their cars in the company of like-minded people," he said, adding that it was a real experience to drive the route.
"We certainly raised a few smiles along the way," he said.
The principal aims of Star Trust are entrepreneurial fund-raising for local charity benefit, providing exceptional social events for extraordinary people, offering an experienced fund-raising team with transparent results and providing commercial philanthropy.
"No staff are employed by Star Trust, so we have no administration costs," said Steve.
Tim added that any charity organisation will be encouraged to pitch for money from the Star Trust with the decision as to where the money will go being decided by a committee of patrons from the region separating the fund raising process from the donating.
Star Trust will then use links with commercial operations to get the best deals and providing even greater benefit to the chosen charities.
Committee member Janine Edwards, of St James's Place Wealth Management, said Star Trust represented "more local and more meaningful fund-raising.
Sponsors of the Bentley driving day were Bentley Leicester, Bentons Estate Agents, Berkeley Insurance Group, Champions (UK) plc, Donington Park, Finesse Hospitality, Lumbers Jewellers and St James's Place Wealth Management, Stapleford Park.