This Summer’s Must-See Top Motoring Events
Planning to travel this summer, then make sure you include these top world motoring events. They’re not to be missed by car-loving tourists
By Shahzad Sheikh
Goodwood Festival of Speed 26-29 June 2014
Celebration of speed in the Earl of March’s backyard
Once a year, Charles Gordon-Lennox, the Earl of March and Kinrara, opens up the considerably capacious grounds of his massive country estate to an unadulterated celebration of speed. It’s rather handy, of course, that his grounds actually contain a pretty decent hillclimb track. And on this track visitors get to see some of the most historic racing cars and their drivers from all over the world and spanning the full history of motor sports all in one place.
It’s also where you’ll find the newest and most exotic supercars of the day, and virtually a motor show in itself on the greens. There’s pomp, pagentry, glamour and hugh, huge, crowds with maddening traffic jams just to get into the place. It is, as it’s titled, the ultimate Festival of Speed, and if there’s even a drop of octane running through your veins this is a must-do event at least once in your life.
Woodward Dream Cruise 16 August 2014
40,000 classics and cool cars in one place at one time
In the 1950s Woodward Avenue in Michigan, Detroit was a popular road to cruise on from drive-in to drive-in, with perhaps a little bit of street racing along the way! The cruise was relaunched in 1994 to raise money for a children’s charity. Organisers expected 40,000 people at most, in fact 250,000 turned up. Today, it’s become quite simply the largest single day classic car event in the world with 40,000 cars and around 1.5 million spectators lining the roads. It brings $56 million to the much-in-need Detroit economy.
Cars range from muscle cars, street rods, custom and collectibles, mostly from the 50s, 60s and 70s, but also newer stuff, particularly since the likes of General Motors started sponsoring it. Now there’s a week-long of activities around the incredible single-day cruise. Big money, and big crowds aside, it is the ultimate petrolhead nirvana.
Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance Events 4-17 August
The ultimate world Concours
But it’s not just a Concours D’Elegance – which actually takes place on 17th August, but a series of sensational event especially during the main Pebble Beach Automotive Week.
This includes car shows, auctions, rallies, art exhibitions. The world’s most renowned and well known collectors descend on this venue, and car manufacturers and lifestyle merchandisers are all over it.
It’s one of the most stylish and glamourous car events you’ll ever experience.
Goodwood Revival 12-14 September
Timewarp into the golden age of motor racing
Remember I said that Earl of March opening his grounds up once a year? I lied. He does it again in September. This time to a full on race track where the clocks go back and its the 50s, 60s and 70s again.
Not only are all the cars on display and racing around the circuit from the period – with some real gems and superstars amongst them, but legendary older drivers will be piloting them around, often recreating history. It’s an amazing event and made even more special for the fact that even visitors and spectators are required to dress in period-correct dress to attend!
Which ones did we miss? Let us know below.
