Hundreds of people lined the streets of Bradford on Thursday April 24th to see motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss drive a long-nose Jaguar D-Type to Speedmaster in Greengates, where he opened Europe’s first motoring themed conference centre.

Sir Stirling headed a cavalcade of historic Jaguars from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, that were given a police escort from Bradford’s City Hall to the new conference centre in Greengates.

Years of planning had gone into the design and building of the new 20,000 square foot conference and training centre which will be used for a variety of purposes by businesses throughout the north of England.

James Hanson, Managing Director of the new centre, said: “We were honoured that Sir Stirling opened this new complex which is already attracting conference and meeting organisers from across the region. It was great that he drove the D-Type and that hundreds of people turned out to see him and the other cars.”

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Janet Owens, travelled in a new Jaguar XF, while the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Brian Cleasby was driven to the event in Jaguar XK 120, NUB 120, a famous Leeds car that was campaigned in the 1950s, and won several important rallies.

A Jaguar C Type, that took part in the famous Mille Miglia in 1953, was driven by racing driver James Hanson. Other cars that were driven in the cavalcade included the James Bond XKR from the film “Die Another Day” and an XKR “Shaguar” used to promote the Austin Powers film “Goldmember.”

Tony O’Keeffe, Curator of the Jaguar Daimler heritage Trust said: “It is not often that people get the chance to see famous cars like this actually driving together on ordinary streets. The fact that Sir Stirling Moss headed the convoy in the famous D-Type that won the 12-hour race at Reims in 1956, made history in its own right.”

More than 200 guests welcomed Sir Stirling Moss and the cars when they arrived at the conference centre, which is also the site of the Speedmaster collector and race car showroom, where several million pounds worth of classic cars were on show.

The spectacular conference and training centre will allow clients to hold a variety of events surrounded by classic and supercars. The centre, with its iconic glass staircases, will be hired out to companies looking for somewhere unique to hold drink receptions, corporate dinners, lunches, product launches and fashion shows.

Three flexible air conditioned meeting rooms on the first floor are equipped with state of the art audiovisual technology and wireless connectivity.

James Hanson said: “We thought that it was appropriate that Jaguar were invited to take part in the opening because this year is the 60th anniversary of the XK 120, and our new conference centre will be used in the future to mark historic motoring and motor racing anniversaries and events. The new centre will give a huge boost to regional conference facilities by providing a new venue that will attract clients from all over the UK and in particular the north of England.”

Mr John Hanson, Chairman of Speedmaster said:  “The conference centre is themed on motor racing principles; being brave, winning and being the best.  I am delighted that Raven Computers, Watt Gilchrist and PPS have already booked the centre as a meeting venue for themselves and their customers. The training centre is already fully operational. Managers and staff of Greenwoods Menswear have booked commercial development sessions and Bradford Council are proposing to use the facility as a centre of excellence for the training of young managers and their staff in support of the re-development of the city centre.”

JARROTTS, the famous picture library, have been commissioned by Speedmaster to provide images to fill the “Great British Racing Drivers” feature wall. So far provided are some 33 stunning images and more will be added over the coming months. (The British Isles has produced the largest number of world champions since the world championship was inaugurated in 1946 as well as some outstanding drivers who did not become world champions.)

Motoring artist Michael Turner and his son Graham have provided both originals and motoring prints, which will be on show and for sale at the centre.