Good news: in 2022, the Classic British Welcome of Saint-Saturnin will be back on the calendar, one day before the 24 Hours of Le Mans! The 20th edition will take place on Friday June 10th, all day long: let’s get acquainted with the program!
It will not be useful to go back over the feeling of frustration that the numerous cancellations of festive events have caused during the last two years. Instead, let’s look forward to the upcoming events, including the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place on June 11 & 12.
After an autumnal edition in 2020 and a summer one last year, the race is back in June, with a field of 62 cars and a new Toyota / Alpine / Glickhenhaus trinity announced in the new Hypercar category.” Since, for the ACO, all the lights are back on green in the organization of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, especially regarding the reception of the public, there was no reason for it to be otherwise here, in Saint-Saturnin!”, notes Stéphane Auvrignon, President of the Classic British Welcome. “We had no difficulty in getting the machine going again, as the members of our association and even our most loyal partners were impatiently waiting for confirmation that our event was back on the calendar! This is a first good sign”.
The program of the 20th edition of the Saint-Saturnin Classic British Welcome 2022 was unveiled on the evening of Friday, March 11, at the Val de Vray socio-cultural center, in the presence of many partners. Here are the first elements of the program to remember and to spread around you…
THE AUTOMOBILE THEME
Remember : 2022 coincides with the 20th edition of a Classic British Welcome launched in 2001. Each year, an automotive theme is proposed, in connection with the History and the 24 Hours of Le Mans stage. “For this edition in round numbers and because it is also the edition of the restart, we wanted to thank the manufacturers and the clubs of brands that have trusted us since the beginning”, explains Stéphane Auvrignon.
That’s why the 2022 theme will be : A TRIBUTE TO THE MANUFACTURERS!
The big hall of the Val de Vray will propose a new exhibition, presenting a model of each manufacturer. An impressive retrospective for those who remember that in 19 editions, 13 manufacturers have been honored here: Jaguar, Porsche, Lotus, Aston-Martin, Austin Healey, Ferrari, Morgan, Corvette, Triumph, MG, Alpine, Marcos and BMW”; Notice to fans!
THE GUEST OF HONOUR
For several years now, the large esplanade, on the edge of the Val de Vray, has been proudly named PLACE DU DOCTEUR WOLFGANG ULLRICH! “This great man has agreed to be the 2022 guest of honour of the Saint-Saturnin Classic British Welcome”, revealed Stéphane Auvrignon on March 11th. To speak of a great man is not an exaggeration: Dr. Ullrich has directed Audi Sport for 27 years and it is under his influence that Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 13 times between 2000 and 2014. A fine strategist, a rigorous character gifted with an extraordinary charisma, convinced that the 24 Hours of Le Mans remains the laboratory race par excellence, Doctor Ullrich is today one of the closest advisors of Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
To the inevitable question “Will Doctor Ullrich come to Saint-Saturnin on Friday, June 10?”, Stéphane Auvrignon answers: “We are very proud to announce that Dr Ullrich has arranged his very busy schedule to be able to come and attend our event!”
The evening of March 11 was also an opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of previous VIP guests who left us in the last two years: Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, winner at Le Mans in 1978 and 1980, guest of honour in 2016 but also Jean-Pierre Pernaut! The late TV presenter of the 13H of TF1 had sponsored the event in 2013!
THE GREAT CLASSICS AROUND THE CLASSIC
From 9am on Friday June 10th, the Classic British Welcome is open to all!
FREE ENTRY.
A multi-make gathering of at least 1000 prestigious cars is expected!
ON THE SPOT
Catering, refreshment stands,
Merchandise products of Classic British Welcome,
Numerous stands of automotive artists, including ARCHIMEDE / Dominique DONNE, ORPHEOGRAFF / François BRUERE, official painter of the 24H du Mans,
Car body maintenance products with Meguiar’s.
Happy 20th edition of the Saint-Saturnin Classic British Welcome, as a preamble to the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and with a thought for the edition of the centenary of the race, in 2023!