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Mitsubishi Motors in the UK celebrates 40th anniversary

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is delighted to announce the celebration of its 40th anniversary this year, and to mark this significant landmark in the organisation's history, the company is organising a tour for 60 Mitsubishi vehicles manufactured before 2001, taking place on Saturday 31st May.

The Mitsubishi Motors Grand Tour starts and finishes at Rendcomb Airfield in Gloucestershire. This historic venue, located just a few miles north of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK's Cirencester headquarters, is a former World War 1 Royal Flying Corps airbase and now home to the famous Breitling AeroSuperbatics display team.

The day will begin with all participating vehicles lining up on the airfield, whilst drivers, co-drivers and passengers sign in and have breakfast at the airfield's memorabilia-filled ‘Engine Shed'. The first car will then be flagged away by TV's very own Mike Brewer at 9.30am to embark on the day's 120-mile route that takes entrants through the heart of the Cotswolds, into Oxfordshire and then Northamptonshire.

Participants will pass through some of the region's stunning countryside and picturesque villages, visiting a series of check points, before reaching the home of British motorsport: Silverstone. The visit to the country's most famous racing circuit lies at the core of Mitsubishi's anniversary celebrations, as it was here - nearly 40 years ago - that the company held its first ever track day in the UK.

Having arrived at Silverstone - where a round of the British GT Championship is taking place - entrants will be directed around the perimeter roads to the circuit's striking new Wing building for a lunchtime pit stop.

On leaving Silverstone, the route heads south to Oxfordshire for a visit to Cornbury Park. This impressive country estate has previously been a venue for rallies and other motoring events and participants on the tour will be able to drive over some of the roads that were once used for the special stages.

For the final leg of the journey, participants will travel back through the glorious Gloucestershire countryside before returning to Rendcomb Airfield. After crossing the finish line, the field of Mitsubishis will again be lined up as participants, receive a finishers' medal and will be treated to a display by the Breitling Aersosuperbatics team.

Mitsubishi Motors will also be looking out for the best vehicles on the day. An awards ceremony will take place on arrival back at Rendcomb Airfield, hosted by Mike Brewer and trophies will be presented by Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.

The categories are:

Oldest vehicle
Best presented saloon vehicle
Best presented coupé/sports vehicle
Best presented hatchback vehicle
Best presented 4x4 vehicle
Spirit of the event
Best overall entry

And, as if that wasn't enough excitement for one day, everyone taking part in the tour is invited to an evening barbeque held immediately after the event. There's also a ‘once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity for entrants to take a flight or perform a wing-walk - if they dare - facilitated by the Brietling Aerosuperbatics team.

All that is required for entry is a Mitsubishi vehicle that was officially imported between 1974 and 2001. Interested participants can find full details, terms and conditions on the Mitsubishi Motors in the UK website: www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/gt. Included in the entry list will be ten cars from Mitsubishi's heritage fleet driven by invited guests, Journalists and Company Directors.

Applications for entry into the Mitsubishi Motors 40th Anniversary Grand Tour are now open, with organisers carefully appraising each submission to assess the suitability of the vehicle in keeping with the spirit of the event.

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said:

"I am very proud to be part of this business as we celebrate 40 years in the UK. The Mitsubishi Motors Grand Tour will be fun day and will be the start of many events planned throughout the year to mark our anniversary.

This year promises to be another excellent year for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. With plans to increase our sales volume, grow our dealer network and the launch of the world's first 4x4 SUV plug-in hybrid in the spring, there are very busy but exciting times ahead!"