One of the UK’s longest established specialists in classic motoring holidays and tours is experiencing its most successful year to date – with bookings on the increase despite the record-breaking cost of petrol on garage forecourts in 2011.

Keith McGee of Merlin Events (www.merlinevents.com) told Classic Car Mart: “We’ve been arranging classic motoring holidays since 1992, and the last two years were our most successful. Already though, it looks like 2011 is going to break all previous records, with bookings for some of our trips well up on last year – and with plenty of time still left to book.”

According to Keith, loyal enthusiasts are showing no signs of cutting back on their classic tours, with UK and European trips being as popular as ever. “We get a lot of repeat business, which certainly helps to keep bookings at a healthy level. And everyone we deal with is telling us they have no intention of letting the cost of fuel influence their classic car hobby this year. One of our customers told me the other day that no matter how much the Government decides to tax us on fuel, he’ll not be cutting back on his classic touring.”

Most of the events that Keith organises involve small groups of classic cars, with trips to France, Spain, the Isle of Man and the UK planned for this year. And many of them are exceeding expectations: “We expected around 10-12 cars for our Isle of Man tour but already we’re up to 21 – a figure that’s far higher than normal, which suggests people aren’t afraid to really use their classics. I don’t see any evidence that classic events are suffering or that bookings are down.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are you changing your classic habits in 2011, or is it a case of ‘business as usual’ when it comes to shows and events this year? Tell us your views and your plans. Write to us at the usual Peterborough address or send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .