Brands Hatch will host a new Festival Italia event in the summer bringing some great cars to the Kent track.

On Sunday 14 August, Brands Hatch will be celebrating the emotion and beauty of one of Europe’s most exciting motoring nations with themed racing, demonstrations, displays and plenty of Tricolore-infused off-track attractions.

The details were revealed at Wednesday’s MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) season launch at the Kent track.

Italy’s long racing heritage will be celebrated by an exciting and diverse race programme, which will include two races for the stunning machines in the Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic series. The Prancing Horse is the Mediterranean nation’s most enduring icon, and it will be a wonderful sight to see a full field of Italian stallions galloping around the world-famous Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic will provide a scintillating cross-section of beautiful cars from a manufacturer that captures the imagination like no other, with racing examples of everything from the 308 of the ‘70s to modern classics such as the 355 of the ‘90s. There will be opportunities for spectators to get up close to these cars and soak up the event’s unique atmosphere during a free pre-race grid walk.

Other racing highlights will be the Trofeo Cavalli, a special invitational race for classic Italian cars, which will be organised in conjunction with the Historic Sports Car Club, and the BRSCC Alfa Romeo Championship. There will be plenty of additional machines from Italy’s most famous marque too, in the Ferrari Owner’s Club Hillclimb Championship.

Italy’s illustrious Grand Prix pedigree, through constructors such as Ferrari, Coloni, and Minardi, plus long-term sponsors such as Martini and Benetton, is almost unparalleled and will be showcased with special Formula One demonstration runs. Other cars of particular interest will take part in the on-track show too, including a Ferrari F40 and a Lancia Stratos. All of the racing, demonstrations and parades will be organised by MSVR.

The venue’s off-track areas will be transformed into a show of a different kind, with plenty to see and do for all of the family, including an ‘Italia in Piazza’ food market, a live music stage, Italian clothes stalls, wine tasting, and children’s activities. There will be plenty of car displays too, starring vehicles old and new from manufacturers including Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat, Maserati, and many more.

The Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain will be involved in the event in an official capacity, bringing a hospitality unit for its members, whilst allowing its car owners to take part in a ‘best in show’ competition and parade laps. This will be a wonderful opportunity for all visitors to take a closer look at some exceptionally pretty cars in pristine condition.

Brands Hatch Motorsport Events Manager David Willey commented: “I’m delighted to confirm that Festival Italia will launch at Brand Hatch this year, adding another unique and entertaining event to the 2016 calendar at Brands Hatch. Our in-house team has proven with our American SpeedFest events that we can put on a show which is about much more than just the racing, and I’m sure that we’ve created yet another one-of-a-kind experience for the fans to enjoy. I’d like to welcome the Ferrari Owners’ Club of Great Britain on board and look forward to working closely with them on this exciting new venture.”