Monsters light up Coventry
The second Coventry Motofest took place last weekend, with the city’s unique ring road circuit playing host to an array of two and four-wheel machines and racing stars.
The appearance of the £1.8 million, 800bhp, all-carbonfibre Aston Martin Vulcan supercar proved one of the highlights as it powered its way around the 1.5mile ring road course in its first appearance on a UK public road.
Driven by sportscar racer Peter Dumbreck, the Vulcan performed start-line burn-outs.
Further star cars included the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally-winning Mini Cooper S, brought to Motofest by the British Motor Museum, which also supplied the BRM Gas Turbine racer to run on the circuit.
The competition car section of the event featured appearances from James Grint in a Peugeot 208 RX supercar plus a pair of Renaults; a Clio Cup car and a Zoe e-rally car.
Donington Park eased the way for monster vehicles from the British Truck Racing Championship to take part for the first time too.
Away from the main circuit, Motofest’s new second short track oval provided a home for Gymkhana cars, drift cars and stock cars.
There was also a selection of vehicles from the Aston Martin Owners’ Club and the Jaguar Heritage Trust with an Aston Martin V8 saloon and 1952 Jaguar XK120 among the highlights of the parade.
James Noble, Coventry Motofest Festival director, said: “It’s been our biggest and best ever Coventry Motofest, with around 125,000 visitors over the two days enjoying the action on the main ring road circuit and the other entertainment provided as part of the festival.
“The Aston Martin Vulcan was one of the star attractions of the weekend and it was wonderful to see the excitement and interest it created on and off the circuit.
“The racing trucks, the motorbikes and the new short track oval with the drift and Gymkhana cars all proved really popular and the crowds really embraced the event and seemed to enjoy every aspect of it.
“As organisers these are exciting times for Coventry Motofest and we look forward staging another even bigger and better event next year to again showcase the city’s motoring heritage.”