Welcome to HBR 2008 | Hackett Beaujolais Run
Beaujolais Nouveau 2-007 Est Arrivé
Macon - Calais - Hackett HQ, Butlers Wharf, London - The Sunday Times
Following its midnight release the first bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau 2007 departed Louis Jadot's Chateau des Jacques. Gavin Miller and Graeme Cleland left in the dark surrounds of deepest Beaujolais country bound for Blighty and the bright lights of London. The bottle was then piloted north to Calais in the Richard Burns Foundation Subaru Impreza RB320.
On arrival at Calais Marina they were met by Motorboat and Yachting Magazine. Gavin swapped the comfort of the car for the cockpit of a Bladerunner RIB from Icemarine to transport the new vintage across the Channel and up the Thames to Hackett's HQ in Butlers Wharf. The skipper on the day and owner of Icemarine is Jeremy Watts; the Round Britain Record Holder for powerboats. No sooner had the first bottle been delivered, the remainder of the case was transferred to motorcycle for Hugo Andreae, Editor of Motorboat and Yachting Magazine to take the bottles to the offices of The Sunday Times reminiscent of the 1972 'Run.
Nicholas Rufford - Editor, The Sunday Times received the wine commemorating 35 years of the 'Run. Nicholas himself a veteran of the event commented; "I was delighted to be one of the first to receive a bottle of this year's release. As much as I look forward to taking up the challenge of the Hackett Beaujolais Run each year, my unfortunate absence did not detract from a fantastic story. A real money can't buy experience, truly reflective of this great event!"
Macon - Reims - Chelsea
In a spirited rush hour convoy of horns, headlamps and hazard lights, the DBS led the DB9, V8 Vantage (courtesy of Aston Martin Lagonda) and DB5 to Sir Terence Conran's Bluebird restaurant. The prestigious venue where Sir Donald Campbell's Bluebird was constructed echoed to the sounding of roaring Aston Martin engines.
Sir Terence was presented with the first released bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau 2007 delivered by road and rail in celebration of 35 years of the 'Run. In addition, Sir Terence received another special delivery collected en route, a bottle of Champagne Taittinger sent by Monsieur Taittinger in celebration of his personal involvement with HBR 2-007. Sir Terence congratulated the Hackett Beaujolais run for its "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" spirit and fantastic fundraising achievements. He then held a reception at which drivers and navigators of these honoured vehicles enjoyed a tour of the building taking in the many wonderful items of memorabilia, including Sir Donald Campbell's own driving licence.
In a tribute to Hackett as event sponsor, the organisers' Aston Martin DB9 and the AMV8 Vantage visited Hackett's flagship store in Sloane Street before heading home to plan the 2008 'Run ...
