Gueux Motor Circuit and Back to Blighty
After a very leisurely Saturday start, crews headed to the old Gueux motor circuit to pay their respects to the drivers of old. They joined the Amis de Circuit de Gueux who restore and protect the site.
Chateau de La Marquetterie
Always a high point on the ‘Run, crews found themselves guests of Champagne Taittinger and ensconced in its cellars. After tasting Brut and Brut Rosé they found that their evening had been planned by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger himself and that he would be joining them for the evening at the family Chateau.
A New Twist
Mid morning on Friday, it was a group start back at the Domaine de Chateau, Phillipe Le Hardi. From Beaune to Reims was group driving in a new ‘Run twist, literally.
Top Gun over Burgundy
After a relaxed start it was day two of the navigational trial yesterday and ‘Top Gun’ fancy dress. A selection of characters from the film as well as some literal interpretations spread mirth across Burgundy.
Chateau's, Champagne, Folies Bergere and Fireworks
Wednesday dawned far too soon and ‘Runners found themselves at Champagne Doyard, to join Guillaume Doyard himself for a look at great ‘grower’ Champagne. In almost a crossover to ‘The Champagne Run®,’ it allowed crews the opportunity to taste some single vineyard wines of the Northern part of the Champagne region and appreciate their unique qualities.
A V2, Reims and a Jeroboam
It was fierce competition yesterday, as cars criss-crossed Northern France making their way to their overnight destination of the Champagne city of Reims. En route they had discovered hidden V2 rocket bases from WW2, astonishing driving roads and countryside; until the fields gave way to vines, on their final approach to Reims. Some even came across a pair of WW1 tanks left on the battlefield in memory of those who had fallen...
Tornado's and Lightning's
Crews found themselves transported back to the past yesterday morning, for the start of The Beaujolais Run® 2022. In the company of two Squadron Leader Tornado aces and the Panavia Tornado itself they were returned to the days of the Cold War. The Hardened Aircraft Shelters became a feature in themselves with the ability to keep aircrew safe from NBC attack and also to be able to start the jet inside them before the doors were opened.
A Deconsecrated Church and a Nuclear Bomb
The ‘Run launched last night, at one of its most unusual locations ever. A deconsecrated church with a decommissioned nuclear bomb in it!
Norfolk became home to the ’Run for one night and this year’s competing crews joined ex-flyers at the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre. Over Champagne and canapés, crews met veterans who had flown all forms of jet and got an insight into flying faster than the speed of sound.
Beaujolais calls...
After a relaxed start, the second day of the fun navigational trial headed out.
As it was a day of festivities in Beaujolais, it was fancy dress to the fore today with the theme 'gold' reflecting the 'Runs Golden Anniversary.
Cris-crossing the 'cru' villages of the region there was no doubt the 'Run was on its home ground. People in villages smiling and waving as the cars sought the shortest distance from point to point...
Southbound to Burgundy
It was with trepidation crews sat on the startline of Champagne Taittinger as they awaited their cryptic clues that would take them South through various checkpoints to Parc Fermé in Burgundy via their chosen shortest route. Along the way, suprise experiences had been laid on for them with various friends of the 'Run.
Crews make Reims and Champagne doesn't disappoint...
Crews were still smiling on arrival in Reims after the amazing start morning at RAF Northolt. A real party atmosphere was already in place as the last twenty four hours had already been so special. It was with high spirits that everyone headed out for a night on the town Remoise style. Dinner was awaiting, and so was Champagne Taittinger with a Champagne filled evening accompanied by some exquisite dining. The surroundings were pretty special too, a medieval building in which the Kings of France spent the night before being crowned.
Taittinger Brut and Rosé flowed and the stories of 'daring do' did too. The party then continued until late in the 'Runs favourite 'mess' in Reims, complete with it's own flare cocktail maker.
Pomp, ceremony and fun...
It was pomp and ceremony and RAF Northolt this morning as competitors took up their places on the start line.
With Spitfire and Hurricane in attendance, the 'Runners found themselves guests of 'The Royal Flight.' After a 'blat' across the piano keys on the 'Runway, they were summoned by the Station Commander of RAF Northolt for a pilot's breakfast in the World War Two Officer's Mess. Crews were sat where the pilots themselves had been some 81 years earlier. Whilst they dined, a quintet from the RAF Salon Orchestra played contemporary, 1940's and motoring related pieces and a medley of James Bond themes.
RAF Northolt roused by the 'Run's exhausts!
RAF Notholt was roused by the sound of exhausts on Remembrance Sunday as The Beaujolais Run® moved on station for it's launch night.
Guests and crews found themselves transported back to 1940 for the evening, as the 'Run commemorated 81 years since the Battle of Britain; all were eager to find out what lay ahead in the World War Two Operations Room...
The Beaujolais Run® 2020
In the week before the 2021 'Run, we are reminded of how lucky we were to celebrate the opening of our 50th anniversary year, with The Beaujolais Run® 2020.
Last year saw some eighty people involved, thanks to the assistance of some great 'friends of the 'Run.'
In a five day Fundraising tasting extraganza, 'Runners joined both those who spend their lives in the air and those in the vineyards. This included behind the scenes tours, flying action and access to some very special wines.
Representing 'the air' were the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team- The Red Arrows, The Blades, RAF Marham with the F35A, RAF Coningsby with the Typhoon and The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The 'land' team included Clovis Taittinger, Jean-Phillipe Archimbaud at The Chateau de Santenay and Laurent Chevalier at Henry Fessy. The week concluded with a St.Tropez beach party courtesy of Jerome Pernot at Chateau Léoube.
As a result of the weeks fundraising efforts, The Beaujolais Run® was nominated as 'Fundraising Team of the Year' by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Our Fiftieth Year, finishes at midnight on Wednesday 17th November when the 'Run will be deep in Beaujolais for a very special celebration this year....
Gueux and 'Great Escapers'
In true 'Run tradition, the now 'Great Escapers' of The Beaujolais Run® 2019 visited the Gueux circuit to pay their respects to the drivers of old. After admiring the latest restoration works by 'Les Amis de Circuit de Gueux' they headed for Blighty after a few laps of the circuit.
Their cargo of Beaujolais on board, heading for sponsors and fundraising events, they carried fond memories of their trip and of those 76 brave men who made their escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944...
'Tunnel Harry' is found beneath the Chateau de la Marquetterie!
Deep beneath the wine pressing room the crews found what they had been looking for since leaving tunnel 'Dick' far behind.
With another subterranean aperitif they found the entrance to tunnel 'Harry'...
It's underground at Champagne Taittinger to search for Tunnel Harry!
Crews found themselves in black tie, below ground in Taittinger's crayeres in Reims this evening...
Aloxe-Corton sanctuary for The Beaujolais Run® 2019
The Chateau Corton Grancey was the scene of celebration after the navigational trial was completed. After two days of fun filled navigation and a day touring the French lakes and alps, crews were treated by Louis Latour to an evening of fine wines and great food...
Rav 4's retrieve the harvest!
Early in the morning the sturdy Toyota RAV 4's went to retireve their bounty from Henry Fessy to return the first of France's 2020 harvest by road to the UK...
Beaujolais Nouveau 2020 est arrivé!
The 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau was released at midnight in front of the 'Runs competing teams. Although they had tasted it hours earlier there was no less ceremony for 'Runners...
Mountains and lakes, a great day touring
In a new twist on their 'Great Escape,' the 'Runners had a days touring route laid on for them.
From Lake Geneva through mountain passes, to Annecy and deep into Beaujolais country they found rewarding driving had been laid on wherever they went...
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