In 2001 we launched Classic Car Tours International with a car tour of England's Lake District and also a car tour of Western Scotland followed by our first overseas touring holiday for classic and sports cars in the Pyrenees visiting both Spain and France. We also for the first time organised a touring holiday to watch the classic car races at Angouleme's Circuit des Remparts in South West France.
In 2007 over 65% of our business was "repeat business" i.e. clients who had previously done a tour with us and since our first car tour we have delighted hundreds of other classic car and sports car enthusiasts many of whom have also become regulars as well as friends.
In listening to customer feedback we are constantly striving to improve the way we operate and in particular ensuring that we cater for the ladies who often accompany their husbands or partners in their classic cars. This has resulted in lower daily mileages on our touring holidays and more time for sight-seeing and visiting places of interest during the day with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the carefully chosen character hotels at the end of a memorable day's drive on stunning scenic routes.
... is to provide customers with an unforgettable holiday where you have lots of fun, make new friends and re-discover the joys of driving your classic car or sports car on scenic open roads in like-minded convivial company.
Our overseas car tours are noted for the stylish accommodation and the hotels we use are usually luxury 3 and 4 star privately owned establishments with lots of charm and character and gourmet dinners are included each evening.
Classic Car Tours International was formed by Mike Kirk and Brian Thorley.
Mike has over 30 years experience of participating in classic car tours and rallies in England, Ireland, Scotland and Europe and has been organising classic car tours and classic car events in the Lake District for the last 20 years. Having worked as a map maker for the Ordnance Survey for most of his life, Mike has a unique ability to interpret maps and to discover fascinating routes using by-ways and minor roads resulting in car tours that incorporate stunning scenery and landscapes. In particular Mike's detailed knowledge of England's Lake District, where the business is based, is unrivalled and Classic Car Tours' Lake District weekend events are legendary for the beauty of their routes and places of interest along the way as well as offering exceptional value for money.
Brian is a Management Consultant whose love of sports cars and classic cars goes back almost 40 years. Brian's other passion is France where he lives in the Dordogne in South West France. Before forming Classic Car Tours International he regularly participated in classic car tours and classic car rallies in the UK, especially the Lake District, as well as classic car events throughout France. Brian's intimate knowledge of France and his interest in French lifestyle has resulted in Classic Car Tours International incorporating routes through some of the prettiest villages in France as well as visits to many fascinating places of interest both on and off the beaten track including stunning Chateaux, fascinating museums catering for every taste, beautiful gardens, historic monuments and other visitor attractions. Brian also has a nose for discovering charming hotels and restaurants to enhance your classic car holiday and the French car tours invariably use three and four star stylish hotels with gourmet restaurants.
In 2008 Brian Thorley will assume total responsibility for all French and European tours and Mike Kirk will be responsible for all UK and Ireland tours. Each of the respective "Tour Directors" will accompany their own tours to guarantee the smooth running of the events and to ensure that new clients are made to feel at home and introduced to regulars and friends.
