Unmissable Motoring Events 2024: A Complete Guide

MAY

If you're quick, there's just time to check into Donington Historic Festival (Bank Holiday Weekends, 4-5 May) for a weekend of classic motorsport action. Enjoy everything from pre-War sportscars to Touring Cars of the 1960s and '80s, plus the Mustang 60th anniversary display. Two weeks later it's the Inverness Car Show (19 May) when more than 1000 cars of all kinds are expected to gather on the banks of Loch Ness.

As the month draws to a close, you'll be spoilt for choice as four major events compete for your attention. Classic F1 cars are the focus of the Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival (25-26 May) as the circuit recalls its first Grand Prix in the 1960s. Alternatively, enjoy a gentler atmosphere at the Sandringham Pageant of Motoring (26 May). Admire the huge collection of classic cars and in the Royal gardens, the contenders in the prestigious Aston Martin Owners Concours d’ elegance.
On Bank Holiday Monday it's the turn of the Yorkshire Classic & Performance Motor Show (Bank Holiday Monday, 27 May), this year celebrating its fortieth anniversary at Ripley Castle, Harrogate. The month ends with half-term fun at the Haynes Motor Museum (27 May-2 June) when the British Motor Show will be presenting Big Kids Toys Week. Race with a super-sized Scalextric, try out the Sega Rally simulator and take a look at the iconic British Motor Show Mustang!
 

JUNE

June wouldn't be June without the famous Brooklands Festival of Motorsport (15-16 June), a weekend of nostalgic action featuring the Double Twelve Competition, Test Hill ascents and static displays. The following weekend it's the Thruxton Historic (22-23 June) when the famous race circuit celebrates what it promises will be the country's finest historic and classic motor racing. A company that knows a thing or two about racing is Ford whose cars will be celebrated at the British Motor Museum's Ford Nationals (23 June). In this, the Mustang's 60th anniversary year, thousands of fans are expected to turn up.

It's back to Brands Hatch for Super Touring Power 2 (29-30 June), a celebration of BTCC cars from the championship's 1990s heyday and featuring two headline races. Or how about something completely different, at Beaulieu: the Austin Seven Rally (30 June)? Owners and Austin Seven clubs from all over the UK and Europe are expected to make a beeline to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest to celebrate this country's answer to the Ford Model T.

JULY

One event that needs no introduction or explanation is the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone (4-7 July) when all eyes will be on the British drivers Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Lando Norris, all trying to unseat Verstappen. Some of those same drivers and more are expected at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (11-14 July). This year's theme is Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power. The festival will also pay tribute to racing legend Niki Lauda, who would have been 75 this year.

From Sussex to Scotland and the Scottish Festival of Motoring (14 July). Enthusiasts of all vehicle types from across the UK are expected to converge on the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh to take part in this annual celebration of all things motoring. One week later, the Shelsley Walsh Classic Nostalgia 2024 (20-21 July) will be the focus. Organisers are promising the very best pre-1976 racing cars and great on-track action amid a relaxed, garden party atmosphere. The racing action continues, this time at the Oulton Park Gold Cup (26-28 July). This year is the Gold Cup's 70th anniversary, so expect on-track thrills in the shape of Historic Formula 3, Historic Formula Junior and the Derek Bell Trophy for powerful 1970s single-seaters.
Meanwhile, things promise to be a little calmer at the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional (27 July), the annual tongue-in-cheek event that pays homage to the least memorable, memorable cars from 1969 to 1999. Held in the grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle in Leicestershire, owners of everything from Austin Maxis to VW Passats will be hoping to make the cut for this year's Concours de L'Ordinaire.

AUGUST

Beaulieu Supercar Weekend (3-4 August) is the event to be at for the very best exotic machinery, both static displays and parades, while in the arena, the supercars will be having an exhaust sound-off. The following weekend it's the Retro Rides Gathering at Mallory Park (11 August) when pre-2000 retro cars, classics, customs, restomods, hot rods, race cars, drift cars, show cars and more are set to delight the crowds. A few days later the British Motor Show (15-18 August) is at Farnborough. With much of the airfield to play with, it promises to be an entertaining day out with plenty of opportunities to drive or passenger the latest vehicles.

Next, it's back to Silverstone for the Silverstone Festival (Bank Holiday Weekend, 23-25 August), three days of Bank Holiday Weekend fun with live music from artists including Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Olly Murs. Away from the main stage, the circuit will also be honouring the memory of racing legend, Ayrton Senna. 
Alternatively, down in deepest Hampshire, CarFest (Bank Holiday Weekend, 23-25 August) promises its own high-octane mix of music and motors, the former in the shape of stars including Sam Ryder and Beverley Knight. Not singing (fortunately) will be TV celebrities including James May and Jay Blades. Among the four-wheel highlights will be displays by most of the UK's car clubs, dream rides in classic cars and the motorsport paddock. At the Great British Car Journey (Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August), the interactive motor museum that celebrates British cars, they'll be singing happy birthday to the Mini, 65 years young this year!
The month ends in style with the Aston Martin Heritage Festival at the British Motor Museum (31 August). This year, the Aston Martin Heritage Trust will be celebrating 30 years of the DB7. If you have a DB7 at home (and who doesn't?) there’s no better time to bring it to the event.

SEPTEMBER

The Scottish Performance Show (1 September) returns to Kincardine, between Edinburgh and Stirling, with a fabulous mix of supercars, performance cars, modified and rare cars and classics from all over the country. The organisers are promising over 1000 cars, trucks and motorcycles, so put the date in your diary. And while you're at it, pencil in the following weekend for the Goodwood Revival (6-8 September). This nostalgia-fest boasting the best classic circuit racing and visitors in period dress is always a sell-out so book now to avoid disappointment. The following weekend, bring summer to a tyre-shredding end with a visit to Santa Pod for NSRA Hot Rod Drags (13-15 September). Organised by the NSRA and Santa Pod Raceway, it's a hot rod meet rolled up into a weekend of nostalgia-style drag racing with Run What Ya Brung for pre-1973 cars, invited race classes, fireworks, live music and much more!