Bangers and f lash
Get these great 2022 dates in your diary!
The Practical Classics Show
When: March 18-20
Where: NEC, Birmingham
Website: necrestorationshow.com
This is the classic car show for those of us who don’t own a Ferrari GTO but who love the down-to-earth old cars that we grew up with, like Vauxhall Vivas and Triumph Spitfires, all the while getting the chance to ogle at E-types. Organised by Practical Classics magazine, of which I have been a huge fan for decades, the show features owners’ club stands, booksellers and purveyors of parts and tools.
Donington Historic Festival
When: April 30 – May 1
Where: Donington Park, Leics Website: doningtonhistoric.com
This is the first really big classic racing event of the year. The track is great for both spectators and drivers, and Donington Park is one of the most accessible circuits in the country, regardless of where you live. Well, apart from the Orkneys or Shetlands. Expect full grids of single seater, saloon and sports racing cars.
The Enfield Pageant of Motoring
When: May 28-29
Where: Enfield, Middx
Website: whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk
An annual favourite, the Enfield Pageant celebrates the cars that we all grew up with and loved. Well, perhaps not at the time. There’ll be hundreds of American and British cars and bikes, plus a great selection of the weird and wonderful. All this along with a fairground, a large autojumble and plenty of food stalls.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
When: June 23-26
Where: Goodwood House, Sussex Website: goodwood.com
This is the hillclimb Goodwood event rather than the circuit racing Revival event that takes place in the autumn. I prefer the hillclimb because the variety of cars and bikes is wider – right up to current F1 cars – and also you don’t have to wear a tie in the pits like you do at the Revival. What also marks out the Festival as special is that it’s about the only event in the world where you will be able to get up close to an F1 driver.
Le Mans Classic
When: June 30 – July 3
Where: Le Mans, France
Website: peterauto.fr
Another Covid casualty, the Le Mans Classic is on for the first time in four years. Expect fantastic racing, steak frites and cheap French wine. If you’re lucky with the weather this is a great event and it’s easy to combine it with a family holiday. There’s something special about going to car events abroad as you get to see different machines and meet different people. It’s also a great excuse to take your classic car for a proper run.
Silverstone Classic
When: August 26-28
Where: Silverstone, Northants Website: silverstone.co.uk
This meeting at Silverstone is one of Europe’s largest classic car race meetings. Expect huge grids of old F1 cars, saloons and sports cars. There are numerous anniversaries this year and although Silverstone hasn’t published the programme yet, you can be sure that there’ll be some sort of celebration for the 60th birthdays of the MGB, Lotus Elan, Triumph Spitfire and AC Cobra.
The British Motor Show
When: August 18-21
Where: Farnborough Exhibition Centre, Hants
Website: thebritishmotorshow.live There is no official British Motor Show run by the industry so some keen entrepreneurs have stepped in and invented one. And it’s a lot more exciting than an old-school motor show. For starters, there’s outdoor action and the chance to test drive motors (even for youngsters). Not only does the event showcase new cars, both petrol and electric, but it features classics and supercars too.
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show
When: October 15-16
Where: Stafford County Showground, Staffs
Website: staffordclassicbikeshows.com Thousands of bikes to ogle at, autojumble stands and guest stars from the iconic years of motorcycle sport.
The show focuses on emerging modern classics and the bikes that many of us grew up with in the 1970s. In other words, it’s a right old nostalgia-fest. Attendances of around 30,000 enthusiasts per year is the norm for this cracking bike event.