FOR MOTORSPORT FANS nothing can beat being at an event in person. There’s something very intoxicating about the smell of motor oil and overheating brakes mixed in with the noise of high revving engines, quick downshifts and cheers from the crowd.
So instead of watching your favourite motorsport from the comfort of your armchair, why not make this year the year you book tickets and have a high-octane holiday?
Here are some of the top motorsport events taking place this summer.
1. Goodwood Festival of Speed – 12-15 July, UK
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual motoring spectacle set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex.
It is described as the world’s largest automotive garden party. And yes, you can indulge in high tea and scones and quaff champagne but you can do so whilst bidding on classic cars at auction as well as a watching a nail-biting race-to-the-top hill climb, which sees vehicles and drivers of all ages put the pedal to the metal to see who will be the quickest up the 1.86km driveway of the Goodwood estate.
2. New York City E-Prix - 14-15 July, USA
This summer you can take in the iconic sights of the Big Apple and experience electric street racing in Brooklyn.
The 2018 Qatar Airways New York City E-Prix sees all-electric cars battle it out against the backdrop of stunning views of the iconic Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The waterfront location will host the double-header season finale, bringing Season Four of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship to a close, with a new champion crowned.
3. 24 Hours of Spa – 26-29 July, Belgium
Book your tickets for the hallowed tarmac of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to watch some of the world’s best GT cars race through the lush forest. The cars are driven by the best sportscar racers as well as plucky amateurs.
The 24 Hours of Spa has a very special atmosphere especially at night time when you can wander off into the forest with your Belgian beers and frites and watch the sparks fly through a blur of taillights. A perfect romantic break for two.
4. Rally Finland – 27-29 July, Finland
Thrills and spills about when you watch the World Rally Championship – but the stage in Finland is a very special one thanks to the high speeds that the cars can reach and the epic scenery that they pass through. This year the rally stage is 60 per cent different to last year’s itinerary and includes the Moksi and Urria stages, so it should make for some very exciting rallying.
You can then spend the rest of your holiday camping out in the Finnish forests fending off bears (OK, hopefully not) and marvelling in the nightless nights in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
5. Italian F1 Grand Prix - 2 September, Italy
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the longest running events on the Formula One calendar. It takes place at the legendary Monza circuit which is regarded by many as the embodiment of Formula One racing.
The Italians call it ‘La Pista Magica’, the magic track, a description few would disagree with. It is the atmosphere at Monza that makes it so special as is its history which is full of historic moments, famous victories and horrifying crashes.
This is one of the very best places to get your F1 fix. You can then get your fashion fix and do some serious damage to your credit card in the designer shops in nearby Milan.
If you prefer your racing on two wheels, head to the third smallest country in Europe, after the Vatican City and Monaco, to check out the MotoGP at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
Italy’s love affair with bike racing is long and enduring and its fans are passionate and vocal giving this MotoGP stage a very energetic vibe. When the race is over you can then take in the Roman ruins of Rimini and carb load on all the magnificent food from the Emilia-Romagna region. Or you could experience the madness that is Italian football and go see a match.
Combine a World SBK round with a summer holiday on the Algarve. Head to the Algarve International Circuit close to Portimão and watch riders from all over the world compete on souped-up versions of motorcycles available for sale to the public by constructors like Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.
The bikes produce upwards of 200hp and can reach speeds of over 320km/h. But when the race is over, you can calm your nerves and reduce your adrenaline by soaking up the rays on one of the Algarve’s seemingly endless series of beaches.
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