AUTOGLYM HSCC HISTORIC FESTIVAL – HISTORIC F1 RETURNS TO BRANDS HATCH ON JUNE 30/JULY 1

The spectacular amphitheatre of Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit will once again see genuine F1 cars in fierce competition, at the Autoglym HSCC Historic Festival on June 30 th and July 1 st 2007. The Festival’s headline event is the FIA Historic Formula One Championship, reliving the glory days of F1 from 1966 to 1985. The competing cars are just as they were when driven by such heroes as Gilles Villeneuve, Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi. But it’s not just F1 that makes the Autoglym Historic Festival an unmissable event – there is a full and varied programme of historic racing on BOTH days – and a host of attractions for all the family. Wander round the open paddock and you’ll have the chance to get up close to the cars and drivers in one of the UK’s biggest historic meetings, with classic saloon cars, sports cars and single-seaters in a total of 14 races. As well as the racing, the track will play host to an exhibition of ‘drifting’ – with cars sliding sideways round the circuit at high speeds and extreme angles but all under perfect control. There will be also be lunchtime demonstrations of the fabulous Ford GT40 and the chance to see a huge range of much-loved cars from the past. To keep children amused there’s the Kids’ Super Inflatable Fun City, with all sorts of entertainments for younger visitors: from the largest fun inflatable in Europe, to the Jungle Play Centre, Penalty Football Shoot-Out and interactive Basketball. Best of all, the children’s entertainment is free! Formula Ford and DFV Anniversary This year is the 40 th anniversary of the world’s most successful single-seater formula. It was here at Brands Hatch on July 2 nd 1967 that Ray Allen won the first ever Formula Ford race, in a Lotus 51. At the Autoglym Festival – 40 years later almost to the day – Ray Allen will demonstrate a Lotus 51 in advance of a thrilling race of pre-1972 Formula Fords. 1967 also saw the launch of the world-beating Ford DFV F1 engine – the most successful F1 engine of all time, so it’s especially poignant that Historic F1 is returning to Brands Hatch. Despite the huge variety of Historic F1 cars on the grid, covering a 20-year period of F1 racing, the vast majority are powered by the legendary Cosworth DFV engine. The sound of some 25 V8 DFVs roaring away as the lights go green promises to be an unforgettable experience. The Historic Formula One race takes place at Brands Hatch on Sunday 1 st July, with practice and qualifying on the Saturday. Whether you prefer the on-track battles, the off-track entertainment, or perhaps simply soaking up the atmosphere of the historic Kent circuit and the free attractions for younger visitors, no one need get bored. It’s an event for the whole family.Tags:HFO, Historic Formula One, Historic Racing, HSCC