You won’t have far to look if you’re hoping to enjoy a lazy summer staycation but want to add some automotive sparkle.
There is no shortage of car events this month and next. Here’s my pick of what’s on…
■ Get your glad rags on, bag a ticket, and head back in time for this year’s Goodwood Revival (goodwood.com), held in vintage dress to recreate the glory days of the historic racing circuit between 1948 and 1966.
Among those attending this year from September 12 to 14 are burlesque star Dita Von Teese, discussing her collection of classic American cars.
Good little runner: Young racers fighting for pole position at Goodwood Revival
The Revival also celebrates the extraordinary life and career of Jim Clark, the Scottish farmer widely regarded as the most naturally gifted Formula One racing driver of all time and a hero of mine.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Clark’s greatest season before his tragic death three years later in 1968 at Germany’s Hockenheim race circuit.
And there’s no need to buy new costumes – thrift, make-do and mend are the order of the day at what the host, the Duke of Richmond, says is ‘proudly, the world’s biggest and most glamorous second-hand event’.
Naturally gifted: The Revival also celebrates the extraordinary life and career of Jim Clark (right)
■ The British Motor Show (thebritishmotorshow.live) runs from August 15 to 17 at Farnborough International overlooking the airport from which stars and the super-rich fly in private jets.
But this show is one for families and petrolheads alike, with more than 1,500 cars from classics to supercars and F1 racers, stunt shows and Strictly Car Dancing and Back to the 80s displays.
■ This year’s annual CarFest (carfest.org) fundraiser for children’s charities kicks off at former F1 racer Jody Scheckter’s Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire from August 22 to 24.
It combines automotive fun with food, music – with the Boomtown Rats and Travis – and comedians Ben Miller and Dom Joly.
■ One of the stars of the National Motor Museum collection at Beaulieu (nationalmotormuseum.org.uk), featuring 280 vehicles, is Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Sunbeam 350hp Blue Bird which last month was taken back to Pendine Sands in Wales to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his 150.76mph world land speed record.
■ Among the poshest events are the Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, marking its 20th anniversary from August 27 to 31 (salonpriveconcours.com), and the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace (concoursofelegance.co.uk), with 60 of the world’s rarest cars, from September 5 to 7.
■ Finally, if you’re on the M40 near Gaydon in Warwickshire, the British Motor Museum (british motormuseum.co.uk) at junction 12 is worth a visit.
Vehicles to receive taxpayer-funded subsidies named
The first vehicles to receive taxpayer-funded subsidies as part of the Government’s new £650 million electric car grant have been named – and they’re all from French carmaker Citroen.
French flair: The first vehicles to receive taxpayer-funded subsidies as part of the Government’s new £650 million electric car grant have been named – and they’re all from Citroen
Those benefiting from a £1,500 discount for models under £37,000 are: the e-C3 at £20,595, e-C3 Aircross at £21,595; e-C4 (pictured) at £26,150; e-C4 X from £27,215; e-C5 Aircross from £32,565 and the e-Berlingo (M versions only) from £29,740.
However, this is the lower Level 2 grant based on how green a car is. It’s not clear why they didn’t qualify for the £3,750 grant – and neither Citroen nor the Department for Transport was saying.