Cholmondeley Pageant of Power roundup

We walk you through what you can expect at the 2014 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power has opened its doors and is showcasing some of the best historic and modern motorcars from around the world. Returning for a seventh year, the show is centered around an Italian theme with Maserati headlining the event as it celebrates its centenary.

Some of the star cars that will be on display include a 1959 Maserati Birdcage, which won numerous races around Europe including victories at Spa and the Nurburgring. A 1929 Napier Bentley will also be at Chomondeley, powered by a 24-litre W12 aircraft engine. 

• Goodwood Festival of Speed preview

More recent classics consist of the Ferrari F40, Lancia Delta Intergrale, Lamborghini SV Diablo, Audi Quattro S1 and an original Fiat 500. The speed course the cars will be tackling squirrels through the grounds of Cholmondely castle. In 2008 the track was widened and resurfaced to make the 1.2-mile track suitable for a wider range of vehicles.

The lap record belongs to Robbie Kerr who danced a Radical SR8 RX around the course in 55.29 seconds last year. Tickets for the three day event are still on sale and available from www.cpop.co.uk.

Star cars

Maserati Birdcage

The Masrati Tipo 61 racing car was dubbed the ‘Birdcage’ due to its complex and intricate spaceframe chassis. Under the curvaceous bonnet sits a 2.9-litre stright-four Maserati built engine. The Birdcage is one of only 17 models ever built. 

Maserati 250F

One of the finest Gran Prix designs of the 1950s, only 26 examples of the Maserati 250F were produced. Sir Striling Moss and Juan Manuel-Fangio raced the 250F during its time in Formula 1, with this particular example raced to victory by Moss at the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix 

McLaren 650S 

Another show star is the recently-introduced McLaren 650S. Revealed in February, the immediate success and popularity of the supercar forced McLaren into axed the 12C from production. Crafted from lightweight carbon fibre, nestling behind the driver sits a 3.80litre twin-turbo V8 engine developing 640bhp.

Cooper Monaco Maserati

The Cooper Monaco is only one of its kind. Fitted with a five-litre Maserati engine, it was designed to take around 500bhp. Until recently it has spent 26 years in a collection but now it is racing again and recently won the Maserati Centenary race at Donnington Park.