THE streets of Bromyard have come alive with the sounds of revving engines, including a jet engine roaring in the distance.
Bromyard Speed Festival returned to the town on Sunday for the first time since 2019, and the event showcased some of the most impressive cars from the past 70 years to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 1951 Jaguar XK120. Picture: Jane Hufton
Featuring a whole host of classic cars and motorbikes, right through to those from the present day, the speed festival also hosted Vampire – the car which holds the British Land Speed Record, but also which almost claimed the life of Richard Hammond.
Now restored by a group of car enthusiasts from the local area, the 8.5-metre car will never be raced again, but its jet engine roared into life later in the afternoon.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: The restored Vampire drafter, which almost killed Richard Hammond in 2006. Picture: Jane Hufton
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 2002 Land Rover Defender towing the jet-powered Vampire dragster. Picture: Jane Hufton
The incredible engine, from a Red Arrow, burst into life and chugged through up to three litres of jet fuel a second as it threw flames from the exhaust.
When the group of car enthusiasts, who also organise the speed festival, bought the car in November 2019, the chassis was intact but the suspension, brakes and steering needed attention.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 1970 Bond Bug. Picture: Jane Hufton
But since then it has been brought back to life and was shown off during the festival.
It led the procession through the streets of Bromyard, followed by members of the Conquest Theatre dressed as celebrities and characters from each decade leading a selection of cars.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 1951 Austin A90 Atlantic. Picture: Jane Hufton
Cars on show included Jaguars, Fords, Land Rovers, a Bond Bug and Rolls Royces.
There were also motorbikes, a Formula One simulator, bouncy castles for children, trades and displays, radio controlled cars and films at the theatre.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 1970s Ford Cortina. Picture: Jane Hufton
Car parks were turned into paddocks for the days as owners showed off their classic – or not so classic – cars, and dealers Vertu also gave festivalgoers a look at electric cars and where the future is heading.
Traders, such as cafes, Bromyard Travel Services and Vintage Stable plant shop also opened up on their days off to make the most of car-lovers milling around the street.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: Some of the event's top cars from the 1970s, including Toyota and Rolls Royce
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: Cars parked in Tenbury Road Car Park
With a good atmosphere, some were disappointed that cars were not raced around the town as had been the case in 2019.
But organisers had the party piece, the British Land Speed Record holder car Vampire being started up at Broadbridge, near to Bromyard Town FC.
Bromyard Speed Festival 2022: A 2017 Caterham
The noise was just incredible, almost indescribable, as the roar and heat of the huge engine burst into life. With a three to one power to weight ratio, it is easy to see how Vampire reached a maximum speed of 331mph, 30mph higher than its official record.
And that could be beaten, its owners think, if it had more space to do so.
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