Hundreds of Minis are set to descend on Brands Hatch this weekend for the inaugural Brands Hatch Mini Festival.
Mini owners from all four corners of the UK and Europe are making the journey to the Kent circuit to celebrate the famous icon and enjoy a festival weekend, which will includes 12 dedicated Mini races, stunt shows, special car displays and live music. The original Mini launched in 1959 continues to be an icon 53 years after its birth and this status has transferred to its new BMW incarnation.
More than 30 Mini car clubs are making the famous Brands Hatch circuit their home this weekend with club stands filled to the brim with a vast array of Minis both old and new.
The MINI Challenge will cater for fans of the new Mini while enthusiasts of the original will be spoilt for choice with more than 50 Minis taking place in the races for the Mini Se7en and Mini Miglia championships. Full grids are expected in the Pre-66 Mini category with national pride at stake courtesy of the Anglo-French Battle, which will see drivers from Great Britain and France square up to each other on the track.
Television chef and self-proclaimed petrol head James Martin will compete in two of the 12 dedicated Mini races behind the wheel of a 1963 Austin Mini Cooper S, in the Sanwa Trophy 40 minute endurance race and the Mini All-Comers battle.
World renowned stunt driver Russ Swift will be performing a Mini stunt show whilst ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ star John Evans plans to balance a genuine Mini on his head and attempt a new world record. An air show, rally demonstrations, live music, show and shine competitions and a fun fair are just some of the other activities taking place throughout the event.
The festival will be brought to a conclusion on Sunday with a Champion of the Mini Festival handicap race, featuring both new and old Minis to decide the overall champion.
Admission is £21 each day, whilst children 12 and under are admitted free. Mini owners will be entitled to privileged parking inside the venue free of charge. For more information visitwww.brandshatch.co.uk or call 0843 453 9000.
For more information visit the Brands Hatch Mini Festival’s dedicated website www.mini-festival.co.uk.