Best Automotive Events and Car Shows
Car shows and automotive events are a great way for car enthusiasts and motorsport fans to get together to enjoy events based around the automobile, whether it be in the UK, or abroad.
The beauty about car events is that there are lots to choose from, catering for all niches when it comes to the automobile. Maybe you have asked about 'car shows near me', or made a list of car events or shows that you need to attend soon. Hopefully our list spurs you on to attend, or get out and about more with cars.
Contents
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- British Grand Prix
- Bicester Heritage Scramble
- Nürburgring/Track Day
- Your local Cars and Coffee
- Le Mans 24 Hours
- Caffeine and Machine
- BTCC
- London Concours
- The Motorist
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Quite possibly one of the most iconic automotive events on the planet. Since its first show in 1993, The Goodwood Festival of Speed has become not just an iconic car event for the UK, but globally too.
You could describe it as quite possibly the world's best automotive garden party, as it takes place on Lord March's garden - Goodwood, which now happens to be a place where each year the world's most sought-after manufacturers launch new cars or showcase their back catalogue of iconic models. There is also plenty of motorsport and racing cars, and best of all, most of the cars take on the famous hill climb, with action none stop throughout the day.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a must for any petrolhead or motorsport fan and last for four days once a year, usually in summer. The car park itself is usually just as good as the show too, with plenty of priceless, enthusiasts and interesting cars filling it.
British Grand Prix
Formula 1 has been the pinnacle of motorsport for many years, and it goes without saying its popularity may have dipped somewhat in more recent times, but there is no denying it is still hugely popular and the British Grand Prix is perhaps one of the standout circuits on the calendar.
Why? The legendary Silverstone track has an illustrious history, and with British drivers like Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris having many fans, the will for them to win always ensures for exciting racing.
What is more, with plenty of action off the track, and the build up days showcasing qualifying, support races and the like, the British Grand Prix is still a fantastic motorsport car event, well worth the experience.
Bicester Heritage Scramble
Bicester Heritage is home to around fifty bespoke automotive businesses. The hub is located at Bicester Heritage, which is a former RAF site and so has a distinct vintage feel about the place, fitting in perfectly with some of the classic car businesses there. It also makes for a fine location to hold a 'Scramble' which is essentially a car show come coffee meet.
There are lots of cars on display, from classics to supercars, performance cars to modified cars, but rather like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car park is a car show in itself. However, unlike The Goodwood Festival of Speed or the Formula 1, a scramble ticket is much more affordable, and you will see just as many interesting and priceless cars, too.
Nürburgring/Track Day
With many performance, sports and supercars able to break the UK's max speed limit of 70mph in a matter of seconds, a track day offers those with a passion for performance a designated place to extract much more of their car's ability, including driving at speeds well above the speed limit on a racetrack.
Perhaps the most famous of them all is the Nürburgring, which some describe as automotive heaven due to the cars that take on the track, and the breath of automotive awesomeness you witness in and around the track.
For around £30, you can drive a lap of the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife is around £25 to £30 depending on what day you drive it. Alternatively, many UK tracks offer track days or evenings, which tend to be more expensive but are limited in spaces. Either way, getting your car out on track, is a fine experience.
Your Local Cars and Coffee
You do not have to shell out for expensive show tickets to enjoy some properly great petrolhead vibes. If you are into cars, chances are that you have heard of a Cars and Coffee meet, whereby enthusiasts meet at a location to chat all things cars, over a hot drink.
One of our Stratstone Porsche Centres, Porsche Centre Nottingham has indeed been hosting events like this called 'Motor Mornings'. To find out more, have a look at their social media pages for more information. Alternatively, social media like Instagram or Facebook can be great tools for finding similar meets local to you.
24 Hours of Le Mans
Held annually since 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a famous endurance race which lasts for, you guessed it, 24 hours. It is steeped in history and in recent times many car enthusiasts and motorsport fans flock to Le Mans to witness all the drama unfold, as well as seeing more car related content off track too.
Many petrolheads and motorsport fans flock to Le Mans in France to enjoy the spectacle, usually in convoys supporting liveries on their cars, whilst manufacturers are also there showcasing road cars, alongside their racing cars on track.
Like F1, the whole experience and things to do whilst the race is on enhances the whole experience and is worth checking out if you like racing and anything automotive related.
Caffeine and Machine
The thing about car events is that they are usually on a set day, maybe once (Goodwood/F1) a year, or a few times a year (Scramble).
The beauty about Caffeine and Machine is that it is a constant car meet. Think of it as a place where like-minded petrolheads go, to talk about cars, whilst the venue also offers food, merchandise and even accommodation at some of their locations.
Weekends are naturally busy, especially in summer and require tickets, but if you live near one of their locations, they are well worth going to see what is there after work or if you are passing, you may just stumble on one of your dream cars in the car park. There are also dedicated themed meets for enthusiasts to enjoy, too.
BTCC
BTCC stands for British Touring Car Championship and is a racing series that has been going since the 1950s, with the cars based on those you could go and buy from your local manufacturers' showroom. The racing is usually wheel-to-wheel and has produced many thrilling races over the years.
Today, the racing is kept interesting with reverse grids and multiple races over a weekend, meaning the action continues to interest and fascinate those watching on.
Our partners at Evans Halshaw are the main sponsors for the BTCC team Power Maxed Racing.
London Concours
Think of London and you will probably think of tourism, bad traffic and the tube. But at the heart of the city is the Honourable Artillery Company, which is a sort of hidden gem, a green space that turns into an automotive garden party that is London Concours, showcasing a world-class line-up of some of the world's rarest and most interesting cars.
The cars range from Ferraris to Porsches, Alfa Romeos to Renaults, and everything in-between. If you like rare cars, in exception condition, and enjoy the vibes the centre of London gives, London Concours could well be an ideal event for you to add to your list.
The Motorist
Like Caffeine and Machine, The Motorist is another petrolhead hang-out where like-minded people gather to appreciate great cars. There is also an on-site Garage & Bodyshop, and of course many food options, along with a restaurant and meeting spaces.
Car Clubs, automotive brands and even ourselves have hosted events there, as it makes for a great location for people who love cars.
Check out their website for more events which may interest you.
Check out our other articles
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