This guest post if brought to you by Door2Tour, one of the UK’s leading coach holiday operators. If you’re looking for a break this year, from motorsport events to 7 day tours of the French Riviera then head over to the Door2Tour.com website and check out their full range of escorted tours and coach tour packages: Let the journey begin…
The Grand Prix Season for 2012 may have already kicked off but did you know there are a wide range of other motor-racing events that you can experience if you’ve had your fill of Formula 1. Take a look at a few we’ve cherry-picked below and let us know if there are any you would recommend…
British Touring Car Championships – 01 Apr to 21st Oct 2012
The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules throughout the years of its existence. Currently the cars used are a mixture of 2.0L saloons (sedans) such as BMW 320si and hatchback cars such as Honda Civic and Ford Focus. The 55th British Touring Car Championship will once again consist of 10 rounds with 3 races in each round, making it a 30 round competition in total. The season will begin at Brands Hatch Indy and end at Brands Hatch GP. Cars conforming to the BTC Touring specification are no longer eligible to race, after 11 years in the sport. The points system has also been changed, with the top 15 cars now receiving points against the previous top 10 cars. On the Saturday of a race weekend there are two practice sessions followed by a 30-minute qualifying session which determines the starting order for the first race on Sunday. Each race typically consists of between 16-25 laps, depending on length of circuit. The result of Race One determines the grid order for Race Two. For Race Three, a wheel is spun to decide at which place the grid is ‘reversed’.
The Moto GP – 8th Apr to 18th Nov 2012
Is the grand prix of motorcycle racing and is considered by many to be the premier global motorcycling event in the world. The Moto GP features motorcyles that are custom made and not available to purchase by the general public. These motorcycles have 3 different engine categories 125cc, 250cc and up to 990cc. The Moto GP currently features a 17-race season which runs from April to November and is a must-see for any motorcycle enthusiast.
Le Mans 24 Hour – 16th to 17th June 2012
This is the world’s oldest active sports car race in endurance racing held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. Race teams have to balance speed against the cars ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining mechanical damage to the car and manage consumables primarily fuel, tyres and braking materials. Drivers grab food and rest when they can before returning to drive another stint. The race is organised by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and runs on the Circuit de la Sarthe that contains a mixture of closed public roads and specialist motor racing circuits. The race is held near the height of the European summer in June and begins mid-afternoon, racing through the night and following morning, finishing at the same time the race started on the following day.
Goodwood Festival of Speed – 29th Jun to 3rd Jul 2012
This is an annual hill climb featuring historic motor racing vehicles held in the grounds of Goodwood House, West Sussex. Typically held in late June or early July, the event is scheduled to fit into the motor racing calendar to avoid a date clash with the Formula One season. Visitors to the event will see cars and motorbikes from over 100 years of worldwide motor racing history climb the hill. The event attracts a host of names from past & present motor racing world, offering a rare chance to see some world-famous faces. Features of the event include Sunday Times Supercar Run, Wacky Races and the Cartier Style et Luxe auto show.
Wales Rally GB – 13th to 16th Sept 2012
The 2012 Wales Rally GB will be the 10th round of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship. As one of the UK’s leading sporting events, Wales Rally GB boasts an unrivalled history and legacy attracting the world’s elite rally drivers. From the northern coastline of Conwy to the forests of mid-Wales and the city of Cardiff, these stunning locations throughout Wales will provide fabulous backdrops for this year’s Wales Rally GB. For those who do not know, an opening ceremony will take place on 13th Sept with competitive mileage on 14th Sept. The winner will be crowned on 16th Sept.
Harls @ travel ant
August 9, 2012 2:06 pmI am big in to my motorsports and you can’t get better in my opinion than combining a holiday with a bit of motorsports. I did Le Mans this year…totally awesome!