There is a bewildering array of motor racing happening every weekend of every year in pretty much every country in the world, know what to go to can be hard if you've not been before. Here are our suggestions for events that it is worth travelling to get to. With a slight UK focus.
VSCC : Big Red (England)
The Vintage Sports Car Club caters for people that own pre 1931 racing cars. Each year they hold a massive event at Donnington, not only do you get to see some amazing racing cars they are a real spectacle to see but they also invite car clubs to gather there, so you have a car show on the side. You may have the impression that people that race cars that are nearly a hundred years old and are occasionally irreplaceable may be a bit reticent in their approach to overtaking, not so with these guys and girls, sideways and hammer to the floor is the order of the day. As a friend commented to me last year when we were watching it, this is racing from a time when sex was safe and racing was dangerous.
Le Man Classic (France)
This event happens every other year and is not only a fantastic line up of racing cars but also a huge gathering of petrol heads of all sorts from across Europe, the campsites are as much a part of the action as the word class racing. Get some friends together and head to Le Man for the classic and you won't be disappointed.
HSCC Historic Superprix (England)
Brands Hatch used to be home to Formula 1 in the UK, now days its full Grand Prix circuit is only used for a select few car events, the
HSCC Historic Superprix is one of them, and it is worth travelling for. A two day meet its diverse line up includes headline races from Can Am cars and historic Formula 1 as well as a support bill that includes classic sports cars, saloons and single seaters. All of this is held in one of the finest racing circuits in the world with a most spectator friendly aspect. Hearing and seeing the historic F1 and Can Am cars roaring down the back straight is worth the entry price alone. If you can't make it this coming weekend, mark it in your calendar for next year.
Pikes Peak Internal Hillclimb (USA)
A hillclimb in the most literal sense, if Bonneville speed week was a hillclimb, it would be
Pikes Peak. Some amazing purpose built machinery makes its way to the mountain to try and beat the records previously set. From the wild unlimited class where Group B cars once dominated to the specials running in the mini sprint class there is something for everyone. Definitely one for the 'must visit' list.
Goodwood Revival (England)
The Revival has become a social event as much as a motor racing event, the dressing up aspect and getting into the whole vibe has become a big part of proceedings. This is not a bad thing, it creates a great atmosphere around the circuit. This is, however, still a race meeting, the cars out on the track are really racing, and boy are those cars are amazing. Some very rare and special machinery is bought out for the event and raced by some legendary drivers. This event is often the only place you'll get to see some of these cars being raced each year. We'll be giving more of a preview nearer this years event.
Top Fuel Dragsters (Worldwide)
Racing doesn't have to have corners. If you've not seen and felt the awe inspiring event that
top fuel drag racing is, then get yourself to your nearest strip that hosts top fuelers and get your fill, I'm sure you won't be dissapointed, these are cars so purposeful in their aim to get down a quarter mile as quickly as possible that they almost self destruct doing it. Fantastic.
So now you have no excuse, except maybe geography, and even that is a poor excuse, we look forward to seeing you and some great cars at these events!