Brands Hatch will host the county’s biggest fireworks-themed event on 4/5 November.
There will be scintillating race action on track headlined by the British Truck Racing Championship, a host of family-themed attractions including stunt shows, thrill rides and children’s entertainment, and a ‘big bang’ fireworks display to bring the event to a spectacular climax on the Sunday night. Admission to the event is free to under-13s.
Truck Racing headlines bumper line-up of motorsport
Track action will be headlined by the final rounds of the 2017 British Truck Racing Championship season, where newly-crowned champions Ryan Smith and Mika Makinen will be celebrating their titles. Seven races are currently scheduled for the weekend, with five on main raceday Sunday.
Whilst resembling the machines that cruise Britain’s motorways throughout the week, racing trucks can out-accelerate a Porsche and reach speeds of 100mph on the main straight at Brands Hatch. Up to 20 of these giants will battle for glory on the Indy circuit, with panel-bashing action and power slides aplenty.
A packed supporting programme will include local racer Rod Birley, who will be bidding to become the UK’s most successful club racer of all time in the Quaife/Cannons Tin Tops and Quaife Modified Saloons classes. There’s also racing from Legends cars (pocket-sized replicas of 1930s hot-rods), Pickup Trucks with former British Touring Car Champion Andrew Jordan joining the action, and Scrapco/Avon Tyres Intermarque (small racing cars with saloon car bodyshells).
Feast of family-themed entertainment
The off-track show at this year’s event will be bigger than ever, with a host of activities for all ages. The venue will be filled with show trucks throughout the weekend, and there will be a funfair with an assortment of exciting rides.
There are driving activities for all ages on raceday Sunday, from Mini Monster Truck Mania for children, YoungDrive early driving experiences in MINIs for 11-17 year-olds and go-karting. There are adrenaline-filled rides on the Red Dragon Monster Truck, which can carry up to ten passengers, and virtual drivers can have a go in a Downforce Simulator, which is also available on the Saturday.
Show performers include stuntman Terry Grant, who’ll be putting on a masterclass of car control on the Sunday, whilst the venue will be patrolled by Star Wars characters and Dexter the Dinosaur. Younger visitors can learn circus skills, play with arts and crafts and a bubble station in the heated Big Top tent on the Sunday, and there’s facepainting, bouncy castles, Diggerland and an adventure playground too.
Spectacular fireworks display
The event will end in style with a huge ‘big bang’ fireworks display, one of the biggest in the county, which is set to light up the night sky at around 5pm. The display will be accompanied by a parade of show trucks on the circuit, many of which will be festooned with lights to create a memorable sight. The venue will remain open after the show, with the funfair continuing to run, whilst the heated big top will host live music from top Kent show band Meltin’ Joel with bonfire night-themed food and drink on sale.