Warwick Rocks opens up booze cruise with a difference

The community group is taking on the traditional Beaujolais Nouveau Run and is encouraging teams to sign up to take part in the race from a French village back to Warwick next month.

The long-standing celebration sees drivers set off from the vineyards of Beaujolais carrying a case of the newly-released wine of the year.

And for the first time, teams of two can make the journey and return to Warwick where they will be welcomed with a gala party help to raise funds for charities.

Organisers of the run said with interest already picking up, one team is even planning to make the trip in a Ferrari to be in with the chance of bagging first place.

Jack Linstead of Warwick Rocks said: “This is the first time we’ve ever run it and have already had a few people get in touch looking to enter teams.

“The start is one minute past midnight on Thursday, that’s when the wine is officially released and the earliest you can depart.

“But when you arrive there is up to you, there are some fantastic festivals in the region in the build up to the release.”

All competitors will all set off from the French vineyard at midnight on November 19 and will need a vehicle capable of bringing back a case of wine, a minimum of two drivers, and their own channel crossing.

The aim is to be first back with the wine in Warwick the next day.

Warwick Rocks will provide registered teams with an atlas and route, vineyard location, the wine to be collected in France and a celebration party on return where the wine can be drunk.

Sponsors can also get behind teams to help raise charity funds without making the trip themselves, and teams are encouraged to get fundraising ahead of the trip.

Visit the website for full details and costs for entry, or email [email protected] to register interest.