Rally enthusiast and serial entrepreneur, Jonathan Turner, CEO of the Bayford Group, has hosted a nostalgic 20th Peking to Paris rally reunion at Bowcliffe Hall attended by participants from across the globe.
One hundred drivers from the historic 11,000 mile road race converged on Bowcliffe Hall from as far afield as Australia, Canada, America and Europe – some in the same vintage cars in which they completed the race twenty years ago.
Bowcliffe Hall owner, Jonathan Turner – whose diverse and award-winning group of companies include The Right Fuelcard Company, Bayford Property Holdings and Decadent Retreats – completed the gruelling 45-day journey in his 1929 4.5 litre Bentley with fellow driver, Adam Hartley from Shadwell.
Jonathan said:
When you go through a dramatic and dangerous journey like that you have a real bond together. This was the first time that most of the drivers had met up for two decades so there was a lot of catching up to do.
The event was a wonderful success and a great opportunity to show them the delights of Yorkshire. A big thank to everyone including local businesses and accommodation providers who rallied round to ensure the guests enjoyed a memorable stay.
Participants swapped hair raising tales of their adventures at Bowcliffe Driver’s Club, the award-winning Blackburn Wing and the Bowcliffe Ballroom. The venues are part are of a £6m restoration programme at the 200 year old hall which pays tribute to unsung Yorkshire aviation hero, Robert Blackburn.
