A HISTORIC Essex motorsport event is being revived this summer, more than a century after it first ran.

The first Layer Marney Cup took place on June 6, 1914, running from Southend to Layer Marney Tower, near Colchester.

The fuel efficiency trial was won by Fred Byford, who achieved an average of 42.26 miles per gallon in his Unic car.

The race is being revived after Layer Marney Tower was contacted by a relative of Mr Byford.

Sheila Carrington, owner of the tower, said: “We are re-running the event on Sunday, August 16, 101 years later.

“Starting at Southend, the route will leave Southchurch Park, go through Shoebury before winding back to Stow Maries Airfield, where all will stop for lunch in the Officers’ Mess.

“In time-honoured fashion, the cars will be weighed at Stow Maries and will then continue on to Promenade Park, Maldon before completing the event at Layer Marney Tower.”

Car enthusiast and motor industry bosses have shown a major interest in the revived event.

Gazette:

Fred Byford, winner of the first Layer Marney Cup

Sheila said: “Ford has agreed to put in a vintage car and one of their most modern models into the trial and I am taking inquiries from owners of all manner of vintage, classic and modern vehicles.

“Such has been the response that we now plan to have ten cars in each group.

“Other cars may join the route and the fun of the day without taking part in the fuel trial itself.

“This is to be a fuel trial with cars from every decade since the last trial.”

It is hoped 11 trials will run – with a pre-1915 section and subsequent classifications for every decade to the present day.

Sheila is appealing to collectors, owners and family members of the 1914 participants to take part in the revival.

She added: “Obviously the Byford family has remained in Essex and the Keddie’s from the Southend and Rochford area have stayed close to their roots, but there are some real Essex names in that first entry list.”

For more information, visit layermarneytower.co.uk or email sheila@layermarneytower.co.uk