Croft Circuit will celebrate one of the world’s most iconic cars when the first-ever British Automobile Racing Club Mini Festival takes place next weekend (September 7/8).

There will be something for everyone to enjoy with modern day and classic Minis alongside retro single seaters competing as well as track parades, an autograph session, grid walk and children’s activities, including learner driver sessions for teenagers.

Headlining the circuit action at the new event, which includes 14 races, will be the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, which provides a stepping stone up the racing ladder with drivers closely battling it out in identical R50-spec Cooper models with the one-make series often found on the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

MINI Trophy competitors will take to the track in three races over the course of the weekend with a chance for fans to get up close to the drivers and their machines with a grid walk at 3pm on Sunday ahead of their final race.

Alongside the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, the Mini Challenge Clubsport with Airtec Motorsport series will go head-to-head in three races over both days. Launched last season as a club level series for Mini racers it is the first time the championship will visit Croft with it also hosting the final round of the series.

The Scottish Mini Cooper Cup will make a trip south over the border to contest three rounds in its penultimate meeting of the season as the Mighty Mini Championship will provide some nostalgia for spectators as classic models of the popular marque line-up on the grid on both Saturday and Sunday to go wheel to wheel.

On Saturday the Heroes of FF1600 Sprint Cup will offer a change of scene with the single seater series, in its debut season, racing twice. The championship features models from the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s with the visit to Croft their final outing of the year following events at Thruxton and Oulton Park.

Sunday will also see a special Mini Enduro event take place with qualifying followed by a 40-minute race whilst there will be track parades, the Paul Swift stunt display and a pit lane autograph session in the morning.

Off the track, children aged between 13 to 17 will have their chance to get behind the wheel of a Mini with the opportunity to learn to drive in the Croft Mini rally cars with other activities as well as a bar and gourmet street food being on offer. There is also a range of VIP packages available for Mini owners starting at £38 with those signed up required to be at the circuit by 9.30am on Sunday for the track parade.

Action gets underway at 9.30am on Saturdaywith practice and qualifying before race one at 12.40pm starting with the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup. Sunday begins with a track parade at 10am with racing at midday following the pit lane autograph session at 11.10am.

Ticket prices are £18.00 for each day in advance for adults with children aged 15 and under admitted FREE, there is FREE car parking and FREE paddock access.

There are two Mini owner VIP packages available with package one including an entrance ticket, exclusive infield parking and a lap of the circuit costing £38 and package two, which additionally includes a £15 food and soft drink voucher for Croft’s new cafe Hangar 50, costing £50.

For further information, please contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or you can book your tickets online now at: www.croftcircuit.co.uk.