One of the highlights of the northern motorsport scene is set to return to Croft Circuit when the bigger and better Historic Festival Weekend and Show takes place next weekend (10/11 August).
A two-day meet of classics from the 1950s through to the 1980s with something for all the family, the popular meeting at North Yorkshire’s premier racetrack has been an established fixture on the calendar for over a decade in the guise of both the Croft Nostalgia and Croft Retro meeting.
This year, the event will offer not just classic racing, but plenty of all-round entertainment for the family to enjoy, including children’s rides and live music. On track action will come from different classes from the Historic Sports Car Club and showcase classic vehicles from the 1950s through the decades but there will also be lots of new additions off the circuit too.
On track, there will be a wide variety of racing evoking memories of yesteryear with Historic Touring Cars, Historic Formula Ford and 70s Road Sports championships in action.
Fans got a glimpse of the Historic Touring Cars at the recent BTCC meeting with the likes of Mini Coopers taking on Ford Anglias, Lotus Cortinas, Jaguars, Hillman Imps and Ford Falcons. They will line up on the grid alongside the Historic Road Sports championship for Sports and GT cars built before 1969 who will battle it out in two races over Saturday and Sunday.
For Formula Ford fans, the Classic Formula Ford, Historic Formula Ford and Historic Formula Ford 2000 series will be competing and the 70s Road Sports Championship which will see a varied field packed with Porsches, Datsuns and MGs racing on both days.
The Guards Trophy Championship will be in action on Sunday with qualifying and a 50-minute race. The series is contested by sports racing cars and grand touring cars from the 1960s and includes a mandatory pit-stop and optional driver changes.
Also on track will be the Historic Modsports and Special Saloons whilst the Karting Legends demo will take place at midday on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday with several other parades on track throughout the afternoon.
New additions off track this year include a Wright Cyclone R3350 and a Rolls Royce Merlin will be attending both days whilst a range of steam engines, a Hercules and Dioramas will be on display as well as the regular classic and vintage cars.
There will also be a mini train station ride, carousel and hook a duck for the kids, a large tipi with seating where you can relax and enjoy the food and entertainment as well as a food court including a prosecco van.
Live music ranging from the 1950s to the 1980s with Blue Note Mitch and the Red-Hot Jacks and the Northallerton Silver Band will sound out across the circuit whilst the ever-popular Colin Bourdiec is back at the track.
There will be the usual variety of trade stands for the crowds to enjoy and the friendly atmosphere at Croft Circuit allows everyone to get close to the race cars in the paddock area along with a display of around 600 vehicles of all shapes and sizes pre-1988. There will also be a new competition on Sunday for the best dressed in vintage costumes.
The action starts on track at 9.30am on Saturday before racing commences at 2pm with Sunday’s schedule starting at 9.30am with vehicle parades. Ticket prices start at just £18 for adults on Saturday and £21 on Sunday with children aged 15 and under admitted FREE, there is FREE car parking and FREE paddock access.
For further information, please contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or you can book your tickets online now at www.croftcircuit.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/historic-festival.
Croft’s brand-new Café, Hanger 50, will also be open throughout the weekend and serving refreshments. Tickets for all remaining 2024 events are still available to purchase along with Season Passes and Driving Experiences. Further information is available from Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or at www.croftcircuit.co.uk.