On May 12, visitors to Beaulieu were once again transported to France as crowds of French vehicles formed a colorful display in the attraction’s picturesque parkland for the second Simply French rally.
All the major French marques were represented, with Renault, Citroën and Peugeot all present, as well as some of the lesser-known manufacturers such as Facel, Simca and Panhard. Members of the DS3 Club and Citroën Car Club also attended in large numbers.
Throughout the day, visitors to Beaulieu were asked to vote for their favorite French vehicle on display in the People’s Choice awards and in the afternoon the top eight most popular vehicles took part in a cavalcade through the grounds of the National Motor Museum before Citroën UK Events Coordinator Sylvie Planchard presented the prizes. Barry Lowdell, from Hatfield, Hertfordshire, won with his gold 1973 Citroën SM 3L, and received a Beaulieu Trophy. Barry repairs SM models for a living with his family business, BL Autos, and is a member of the Citroën Car Club.
Runners-up, Des Collins from Wareham with his blue Renault Alpine and Jim Baumann from Sarisbury Green with his blue Renault Caravelle, each received an Autoglym pack as a prize, as did Lisa McCurdy from St. Albans, the winner of the voters’ prize draw, into which all those who voted in the People’s Choice Awards were entered.
