Lympstone Manor is a renowned luxury hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant in Devon.
Nestled on the Exe Estuary, it is a haven for visitors seeking indulgence, relaxation and fine dining. In 2024, JHAV came on board with Lympstone Manor to run the Celebration of Speed Festival on the grounds, a celebration of automotive excellence, luxury and performance.
The Festival of Speed celebrates high-end automobiles, combining the thrill of speed with elegant fine dining, live music and bespoke experiences. Car enthusiast, luxury brand partners and fine food lovers all arrived for the multi-day event and luckily the weather was on our side!
The project Scope:
- Technical Event planning and logistics.
Coordinating the technical aspects for special guest presentations and the Party in the Paddock live music stage. - AV Equipment Provision
Installing sound systems, lighting and large-screen video displays to enhance guest engagement during presentations and on the live music stage - On site project management.
Providing real-time coordination during the event to ensure smooth execution.
Our solutions and Execution:
The client already had a clear vision of how the event was to run, key deliverables for the guest experience and an overview of technical requirements. Working closely with the organisers our project manager, John Hibdige, created a detailed technical plan for each venue, managed specific requirements for performers and speakers and even a Euro2024 curveball…
We had four key areas to deliver technical solutions for;
- Gala Dinner and main talks tent
- VIP talks tent
- Paddock Live Music Stage
- Ancillary areas and Outdoor ‘Paddock’ Area

Talk tents
For the talks tents we utilised d&b Audiotechnik PA systems with Sennheiser EWDX Radio microphones for all presenters to provide crystal clear audio for each of the talks and the gala dinner and auction. This was supplemented with LED lighting packages for the stages and key lighting of auction items and show cars within the main talks tent.
Outdoor areas
For the outdoor areas we installed a ‘start line gantry’ to welcome guests into the paddock area on arrival and help to create the feeling that they were entering the ‘pit lane’ to view the impressive array of cars on display. We also installed a 100v line outdoor PA announcement system for key information announcements to guests during the course of the day.

Paddock live music stage
As the afternoon transitioned into evening the talks tents closed and guests moved to the outdoor live music stage for the evenings entertainment which included The Feeling, Gok Wan and Steve Knightley.
We installed a d&b Audiotechnik Y series line array system with M4 monitors and J Subs. Control for the system was via an Allen and Heath dLive S3000 on FOH and an Allen and Heath SQ6 on monitors. A key remit from the organisers was to improve the aesthetic of the stage, adding to the branding opportunities and the lighting package to create a more impactful experience for this part of the event. This was achieved through the use of Plymstages XXLStageMobil trailer stage with the branded roof banner option and a lighting system that included Robe Pointe, Chauvet Outcast 2X Wash, ADJ 32HEXIP Panels and Spectra 12Hex10 Pars. Control for this system was via one of our Chamsys MQ70 lighting desks.
a Euro2024 curveball
The evening entertainment also had the additional curve ball that England mens football team had been successful in progressing to the semi finals of Euro 2024 competition which fell on the same day as the event and the game was played mid evening whilst the live music was programmed.
We worked with the organisers to assist with the streaming of the game to a large outdoor LED screen that they had sourced and small amendments to the scheduling for the bands performing so that the football dovetailed into the evening program.