Brands Hatch will be draped in the star-spangled banner on 9-10 June for American SpeedFest VI – a spectacular transatlantic celebration featuring on-track NASCAR action, hot dog eating contests, vast car displays and an all-new Live Action Arena with an endless stream of retro, classic and muscle cars on show.
The Kent circuit’s annual festival of Americana will ring with voices from across the pond as effervescent superbike rider James Rispoli hosts the Live Action Arena with his New Hampshire drawl, while US sports caster Brian Drebber provides commentary for the racing action headlined by the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series – the only official NASCAR-sanctioned championship in Europe.
The event will feature full-blown American-style razzamatazz all weekend, particularly during Sunday’s glittering opening ceremony, which is set to feature a few big surprises! Visitors can get close to their on-track heroes at Victory Lane, where the top three finishers in each race – plus the winning car – will join fans to celebrate. And the SpeedFest Cheerleaders will bring the spirit of America to Brands Hatch with their rousing performances.
The American influence pervades every element of the event, with themed food in the Kentagon and Hailwoods Restaurants and mobile stalls, plus a hot dog eating contest and BBQ competition. Californian band Lucky Tongue headline the live music line-up and play three sets across the weekend, while visitors can also hear traditional bluegrass, country, jazz and 1940s swing.
There’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained with heaps of activities including a Transformers vehicle display, roaming Star Wars characters, a chance to meet the real Herbie from Disney’s ‘The Love Bug’ and the UK debut of Europe’s biggest live-action dinosaur. The huge triceratops will join Dexter the T-rex for free dinosaur shows on Sunday – plus we’ll have a dino trail with prizes.
More than 1000 US cars will be on show over the weekend, with prizes awarded for the best in show sponsored by ValetPRO, and there’s an array of replica Hollywood movie vehicles including Starsky and Hutch’s Ford Torino and the Dukes of Hazzard’s Dodge Charger. There will also be a special display to mark 50 years of the second generation Dodge Charger.
Visitors who want to grab a piece of the action themselves can drive a huge American truck or take a passenger ride in a Jeep, with proceeds going to Kent Air Ambulance. Clive Shaw Trucking is providing the US rig for drives and passenger rides on the circuit’s Grand Prix loop – limited spaces are available at £25 to drive or £8.50 to ride from [email protected]