This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Kaleb set to drive the Lambo around Banbury Cross at the Tractor Run
16/12/2022
Hundreds of people will line the streets as the RC Baker Tractor Run heads into Banbury for the first time
Excitement is building ahead of Saturday’s RC Baker Christmas Tractor Run which will this year for the very first time visit Banbury Town Centre. The convoy of fairy lit farm vehicles will head into town on the Bloxham Road and after looping around the Cross head out through Bodicote on the Oxford Road.
This will be the seventh year that the farming community has come together for the event, which raises money for the Katharine House Hospice.
The Tractor Run was dreamt up by Jennie Steenkamp from RC Baker, who organises the event every year.
100 tractors are taking part, including Jeremy Clarkson’s decorated Lamborghini, which will be driven by Kaleb Cooper, who has been a regular at the event for the last few years. All the available places in this year’s convoy were quickly snapped up within hours of bookings opening.
Jennie said: “They all love taking part in the event. Some of them have been doing it every year for the last six years!
“It’s nice to be able to go into Banbury to spread the route out a bit more and allow people to walk to watch it rather than having to drive around and find somewhere to park.
“The part of Banbury that we’re covering is a huge area so there’s lots of opportunities for people to find somewhere safely to watch us go by.
“Everyone’s just buzzing!”
Jennie started planning this year’s Tractor Run in March and has managed to achieve the mission of the Tractor Run heading into town with the help of a new traffic management company, as recommended by Thames Valley Police. The event is also supported by Banbury Town, Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils, together with Banbury BID.
Hundreds of people are expected to pack South Bar to watch the festively decorated farm vehicles make their inaugural trip through Banbury.
Jennie said: “Kaleb will be there which I know lots of people will be excited about – he’ll be driving Jeremy Clarkson’s Lambo again. He’s one to look out for.
“I know some of the tractor drivers have got some amazing things planned. I don’t know how they do it. Maybe for some you might need ear defenders as some of these farmers get a bit carried away with their noisy horns!”
Over the years the Tractor Run has raised over £69,000 for Katharine House. Jennie hopes people will enjoy the sight and then make a donation, either by TEXT or online. Tickets can also be purchased for a raffle with a number of exciting prizes.
She said: “Please do donate to the wonderful Katharine House, which this event is all in aid of. When I started I just wanted to raise a bit of money for them.
“Hopefully we can beat our record for each year again and have an amazing amount of money for them to support their amazing work.”
To make a donation using your mobile: Text TRACTORLIGHTS 5 to 70085 to donate £5, or Text TRACTORLIGHTS 10 to 70085 to donate £10. Whatever number is sent is the amount that is donated. Texts cost the donation amount and one standard rate message.
You can also donate via the Tractor Run JustGiving page.
The Tractor Run is due to reach Banbury shortly before 6pm, but the organisers warn that the timings are estimates which may drift. A map of the route and timings for other villages on the route are available on our Events Guide and RC Baker’s website.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam