Is the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power worth a visit?

The Cholmondeley Pageant of Power is a motorsport-based event, located about 50 minutes south of Liverpool, which was launched in 2008.

I'd never been so, when Infiniti asked if I would come along and do demonstration runs in the FX Vettel Edition, the answer was a steadfast "yes."

Besides being able to help Infiniti out, it also meant I'd have the chance to take in the full extent of the show. I wasn't sure what to expect but I'd heard it being affably called "The Goodwood of the North", which I took to be a very positive compliment.

I was also told that, without fail, it typically experienced very inclement weather every time it took place. Still, that did nothing to put me off - nor did it stop me forgetting my umbrella and wellingtons.

What most intrigued me about the event, besides the opportunity to take part in the hill climb, was whether it had that same private garden party feel that Goodwood seems to have lost a little in more recent years.

Don't get me wrong, the Festival of Speed is an amazing event and one that's well worth visiting. I, however, have fond memories of attending it for the first time in 2006 and finding it relaxed, not too busy and full of fascinating cars and interesting people.

These days it feels much more commercial. It's packed with manufacturer stands and - more prominently - it's always heaving with people. That can make it hard to take in and appreciate all that's going on, a problem compounded by the sheer scale of the event.

So, the first day of Cholmondeley arrived and I found myself stood outside the entrance gates, clutching a three-day pass. What I noticed almost immediately was how quiet it was. There were no crowds and no queues, just people, marshals, mechanics and drivers going about their business.

Walking down the entrance ramp, I was struck by vivid memories of my first visit to Goodwood. Here I was, almost immediately, deep in the pits, surrounded by priceless racing cars, modern supercars and more. There were no barriers, so you could stroll between the cars at will, and everything was close and accessible.

There was plenty of space too, so getting decent pictures of cars, or getting to the track, was easily done. Admittedly it did get busier as the day went on - and no doubt if the weather was forecast to be glorious it'd be busier still - but nevertheless, you never felt like you were battling the crowds.

Equally appealing was the wide range of machinery present. Vintage Aston Martins, historic F1 cars, aero-engined specials, classic bikes and modern supercars were all among the vehicles on show. There was the usual compliment of stands and boutiques as well, providing ample browsing opportunities once you'd had your fill of cars.

There wasn't an overbearing focus on manufacturer stands either. Bentley, BMW and Lamborghini were among those at Cholmondeley, but the real focus seemed to be on the cars partaking in the hill climb, the pit area and the people involved.

While it doesn't quite have the prestige or recognition - yet - that Goodwood has, there's an awful lot to enjoy at Cholmondely. Besides presenting you with the opportunity to see and hear the various cars and bikes being used in anger, it's set in an attractive location and there are myriad air displays, events and demonstrations that take place over the weekend.

It's also a much more manageable show, which may appeal to some. Barring the scheduled displays and the entire weekend's racing, you can cover the grounds and see all the cars and stands in the space of a day with relative ease. Consequently you aren't left with an overly nagging feeling that you might have missed something.

Pleasingly, the ticket prices aren't extortionate either - particularly when you consider what's on offer. Gate prices start at £25 for adults and £5 for children.

So, if you fancy something different - or if Goodwood's just too far away - mark Cholmondeley down in the calendar. One tip, though: bring decent wet weather gear and footwear you don't mind getting muddy. Just in case.

To see more pictures from Cholmondeley 2013, click here.