London Motorsport Show incorporating Race Car Live!

Whilst the UK’s domestic motorsport season may be drawing to a close the action is still alive and kicking at Brands Hatch on 22nd/23rd November as it hosts the London Motorsport Show incorporating Race Car Live!

The London Motorsport Show incorporating Race Car Live! will see a vast array of motorsport series on display from Pickup Truck Racing to MINI Challenge and from Formula Ford to Radical. There’s even something for the ladies as online magazine Girl Racer will be on track with their female drivers and in the paddock promoting their latest range of motorsport clothing.

If you’ve always fancied yourself as the next Lewis Hamilton but don’t have the huge budget, one of the most cost-effective ways of motor racing available takes the form of the Legends Championship. Based upon the pre-war Ford, Chevy and Dodge, Legends offers exciting racing across an action-packed calendar. At Brands Hatch there’ll be passenger rides available alongside seasoned Legends drivers giving you the ideal opportunity to get close up to these pocket rockets.

Two new championships for 2009 are set to be launched at London Motorsport Show and Race Car Live! by Red Dragon Racing. Currently operating the successful MR2 and Nippon Challenge, the organisation will be introducing the ‘Subaru Cup’, for production specification Impreza and ‘Formula Nippon’ for single-seaters. Both series aim to offer drivers the chance to compete on track for a minimal budget.

A number of manufacturers will be making announcements and revealing new products at the show including Radical Sportscars, which will have its whole range on display. Formula Palmer Audi will have drivers and cars from its FPA Series.

Earlier this year ADR performance racecars introduced the ADR3 in four different engine and powertrain specifications to meet market demand. On display will be the TS equipped with two seats and a Honda K20 engine and the RS equipped with a Ford 3.5-litre V6 engine offering the highest level of performance particularly suited to endurance racing.

A favourite with the British fans the MINI has also proved popular since its introduction in 1959. Even in its new guise the MINI is as popular today as it was back in the 1960’s. With MINI legend John Cooper lending his support, a one-make championship broke onto the racing scene in 2000. Since then the series, renamed MINI Challenge, has grown from strength to strength with over 30 drivers competing across four classes. The MINI Challenge is offering you the chance to take a passenger ride in one of its Club or S Class MINI’s to experience the sheer thrill of these mini racers and to find out more about MINI adventures on track in 2009.

Another brand famous for its motorsport credentials is BMW. For over 50 years the German marque has been involved in motorsport across the continent whether it be on two wheels or four. Whilst Formula One still achieves the most headline news the BMW Racing Drivers Club promotes grass roots motorsport with its amateur club racing series. With a host of BMW racecars on display in the paddock the KUMHO BMW Series provides an excellent arena to experience rear-wheel drive racing.

Ginetta cars will have its full model range present including its new car launched for the 2008 season, the 300 bhp Ginetta G50 which has been one of British motorsport’s success stories with its own single-make Championship, GT4 honours in British GT and success at Britcar including conquering 24 hours at Silverstone. Visitors will be able to take the car on the tarck along with the Ginetta Junior and G20 cars.

Keeping some of our late and great saloons on track is the Classic Touring Car Racing Club. Founded in 1974 by a group of amateur racing drivers the club now promotes no more than five Championships spanning 40 years of world-class motor racing machines. At Brands Hatch you’ll be able to view some of these motor racing classics close-up and take a trip around the Indy Circuit with one of the Championship drivers.

If a racecar which you can drive on the road is of appeal then how about a Tiger sportscar? Tiger Racing manufacture a range of seven cars some of which are fully road-going including the Tiger R6 which will be at Brands Hatch to demonstrate its superb performance and handling capability. A flashback to racing days past will be on display in the form of the Tiger ERA30, named as it measures a mere 30 inches in height. With its design inspiration taken from the Lotus 23 this is a modern day version of a racing classic and is just as good on the track as the original in the hands of Jim Clark in the 1960’s.

If cars are just not your thing, then how about Pickup Truck Racing? Since launched in 1997 Pickup Truck Racing has won the hearts of many fans with its fast and furious racing. With a 2.5-litre engine embedded under a 900kg body this racing series really is all about driver ability. Sonny Howard and his team will be on hand to give you all the information you need about this exciting sport.

Any visitor holding a current MSA license (senior or junior classes) can go on the circuit in a class appropriate to their license. Those without a license can still enjoy the thrills and speed of motorsport with a ‘hot ride’ where they ride in a car with a driver or they can test their skills on the kart track, both for a nominal fee. The circuit will open with the show and will close at 4pm each day.

The London Motorsport Show incorporating Race Car Live! is open from 9am until 5pm each day. Ticket prices range from £12 for an adult and £8 for concessions when purchased in advance. For the latest updates or to book tickets, visit londonmotorsport.co.uk