FULL THROTTLE!
MAGNIFICENT MOTORS TAKE TO CITY STREETS
MOTOFEST THRILLS CROWDS
COVENTRY MotoFest, the huge annual event which celebrates the city’s proud motoring heritage, has been hailed as the biggest and best yet.
This year’s MotoFest saw a whole host of car-related activities, exhibitions, interactive opportunities and entertainment, as the organisers welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the city centre.
As well as the Sprint Circuit sponsored by Bennetts, which sees a section of the city’s ring road closed off for special highspeed driving displays, MotoFest saw the biggest display yet of classic cars in and around the city centre with around 1,000 vehicles showcased over the course of the event by proud owners and enthusiasts.
The Sprint Circuit is the heart of the thrills and spills of MotoFest and Telegraph reporter Ben Eccleston joined one of the many professional drivers taking the opportunity to speed around a specially laid-out track in a topof-the-range Jaguar XF.
Scores of cars both new and old took to the ring road circuit, with highlights being appear- ances by some classic Jaguars, a Nissan G-TR, rally cars, all manner of motorbikes and even a high performance mobility scooter.
A grand procession at the end of the second day showcased every car taking part in MotoFest this year. In addition a special short track oval saw stock cars, legends, gymkhana cars and others generate a huge amount of burning tyre smoke.
Other attractions around the city included a Wall of Death and the chance to experience what it’s like for Louis Hamilton in his Formula 1 car.
Youngsters had the chance to get on two wheels with the Get On bike experience in Greyfriars Green, which allowed anyone aged over 14 to try out riding a motorbike under the tuition of a qualified instructor.
A selection of 50cc and 125cc bikes were available to learn on during a 20-minute session for each first-time rider.
And for those even younger, the new Virgin Trains Arena – on the other side of junction six of the Ring Road from Greyfriars Green – played host to Wacky Wheelers.
Children had the opportunity to get into the driver’s seat of a scaled down Jeep or go-kart and try them out on a mini motofest circuit, complete with chicanes and turns.
James Noble, Coventry Motofest race director, said: “Coventry Motofest quadrupled the fun for 2017 with four arenas at this year’s event.
“The event just gets bigger and better each year.”