Shooting Brakes - Al Fresco with Terrific Tailgates

In a time long before the SUV, even before the original Range Rover, a shooting brake was the best way to explore the outdoor life. From hunting, shooting and fishing to simply enjoying a picnic at the trackside or riverside, a smart station wagon or estate car was a must. An elegance of design and, sometimes, a craftsmanship evident in the timber-framed and panelled coachwork is always desirable. Maybe even a sporty overtone. And practicality is essential, with ingenious folding and unfolding features abounding. In a way, the motoring essence of Woodcote Park itself… 

The Woodcote Trophy - Spirit of the Sports-Racers

The exciting Woodcote Trophy race series is keenly Club-supported. It is only for post-war two-seater sports and sports-racing cars built before 1956, so every highly desirable machine taking part must be at least 70 years old as of 2026. The drivers taking part, though, don’t need to be so venerable! The races evoke the raw excitement of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Spa, the Tourist Trophy and the Mille Miglia. The cars on display in this category must be pristine-condition, roadgoing versions of cars eligible to participate. Separately, we intend to feature an actual Woodcote Trophy competitor on the Concours day, with the help of race organiser Motor Racing Legends.

Pre War Masterpieces - With Mascots that tell a Story

This category is for highly individual pre-war motor cars sporting a bonnet or radiator mascot as a key part of its beautiful design. Think of the ‘Art Deco’ or ‘Great Gatsby’ period when the ultimate cars were often bespoke and handbuilt in a partnership between manufacturer and coachbuilder; then add a magnificent mascot that reflects the marque itself or the interests, background or character of the owner. The mascots, these miniature sculptures in chrome, brass, enamel or even cut-glass, draw your attention and eye from the prow of the radiator grille along sweeping lines to fire the imagination with automotive excess. Unique factors in all aspects definitely count!

Spoiler Alert - Amazing, Factory-Fitted Aerofoils

We have a winged wonder line-up in mind to quicken the pace of every car enthusiast, and tell the visual tale of how rear-mounted aerofoils have shaped the outline of the performance-orientated road car with racing ambitions. Of course, these are not for design drama but to press the rear end of a road car down on to the tarmac to increase grip and boost high-speed handling. So we aim for a showcase that spans the most extreme of rear wings on everything from homologation specials to GT3-style road cars all the way down to some that simply add a little extra downforce to a sporty street machine. These are road cars with aerodynamic elan yet just as they left the factory.

Targa Florio - The Ultimate Italian Coastal Race Hits 120

Last year we celebrated the Mille Miglia and now we salute one of the world’s most challenging road races. It began in 1906 when Vincenzo Florio staged his first contest on a mountainous circuit of Sicily. Although the race ended in 1977 its legacy survives, not least in the fantastic array of single- and two-seater cars that tackled its demanding twists and turns. Legends were forged for Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari and Porsche; meanwhile, the modern Targa Florio Classic regularity race keeps memories and driver skills alive. At the Club Concours we’ll be assembling a living line-up of 1906-77 machines that took part in period, or else qualify for the Classic re-run today.

V12 Engines - Multi-Cylinder Magnificence

Here you will see a selection of diverse and impressive automobiles, but they are brought together primarily for their under-bonnet V12 vistas. At a time when these excessive powerplants are being ‘cancelled’ by the march of EVs, we defiantly celebrate the V12 dying breed! From beautiful luxury cars of the 1920s and ‘30s through Ferrari’s race-bred exotica of the 1950s and ‘60s, to Jaguar’s sublime sports saloon and sports car power units, we intend to cover the whole gamut. This will mean taking in the 1990s/2000s V12 renaissance headed by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce, and modern supercars to include Aston, Ferrari, Pagani and others. Bonnets will be open wide!

Motorcycles - Echoes of Barry and Brands 

This is our call to the Club membership to share their special machines with the wider audience at the Concours. It’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate just how important motorcycling is to the Club today and, this year, to populate several themes around performance superbikes. We would like to mark the centenaries of both the Brands Hatch circuit and the truly iconic Ducati marque, as well as evoking memories of the late legend Barry Sheene MBE – World Champion exactly 50 years ago in 1976, and recipient of the Club’s Segrave Trophy in 1984. Plus, Royal Enfield is 125 years old and Yamaha is 70, so they could be part of an exciting line-up too. Our bikes on show will exude the raw power, thrills and danger of top-line bike racing and design excellence.