A British Car-nival...
A British Car-nival could offer a diet of top 24-hour racing, car exhibits, drive-in movies, music and much, much more
Britain, one of the capitals of the motoring world, is missing out on something big, car-related and very special. We"ve got our own International Motor Show, our Grand Prix, regional car exhibitions, Festival of Speed and more small, sports car manufacturers and clubs than any other country on the planet.
We also have an appetite for the big occasion, as we"ve demonstrated by securing the Olympic Games and more recently, Michael Schumacher"s comeback at Wembley"s Race of Champions. But most important of all, whether they"re driving or watching them, Brits are passionate about their cars. And in case you hadn"t noticed, we love a party... especially ones that go on all night. So, with all that in mind, why the hell can"t we stage a world-class 24-hour-race, cum motor show, cum car festival?
I"m thinking big here: The Great British Summer Car-nival should be staged at a major circuit where there"s plenty of space for the open-air motor show, music stages, drive-in movie theatres, dance floors, cafes, restaurants, bars, retail areas, camp sites, fixed and temporary hotels and acres of parking space.
Why not? It"s such an obvious idea for car-mad Britain. And because such an annual party would be far more accessible than the Silverstone GP or Goodwood Festival of Speed, it would be better attended than both these established events, which only accommodate limited numbers of spectators. The Car-nival could be bigger than Glastonbury.
Over the decades, countless millions of Brits have spent a colossal amount of time and money going to Le Mans in France. Traditionally, they have done so because they"ve wanted an excuse to have a weekend away from home, to give the car a "nice little run", to try staying up all night and to enjoy a few beers.
Le Mans just happens to stage a famous 24-hour race, too. And Britain"s Car-nival would obviously need the same. It wouldn"t be designed to replace LM-24. But unlike previous low-key day/night races that have been run in Britain, this one would need to involve serious, world-class racing. With its close proximity to London, the M25, the Channel ports and the new Ebbsfleet rail station able to accommodate high-speed trains, Brands Hatch could, for example, be the ideal venue - especially if the local authorities would allow the wide A20 road to be closed to public traffic for 24 hours or so while it"s used as a 250 mph Mulsanne-style straight by cars competing in the race!
I"ve spoken with representatives from Audi, Aston Martin and Ferrari and they"ve expressed enthusiasm for my idea that a Le Mans-like race/party could be staged here. Some A-list celebs and media types told me they"re keen, too, and I"ve talked to at least two major, international recording artists who would be up for playing live concerts over the course of Car-nival weekend.
Britain"s most successful Le Mans driver, Derek Bell, told me only last week that he"s also keen on this kind of event for Britain. As is former Formula One and Le Mans driver, Jonathan Palmer.
It"s early days yet, but I"d like to seize the moment and put a blunt question to you, the readers: subject to venue and entry prices, would you be interested in attending a British Car-nival if it offered a diet of serious 24-hour racing, awesome car exhibits, drive-in movies, music and much, much more? Let me know what you think. Discuss here
Mike Rutherford writes for the Times, Daily Telegraph and Independent, presents ITV’s Pulling Power and is founder member of the Motorists’ Association