CarFest North Moves to Oulton Park

This year's northern half of Chris Evans CarFest takes place at Oulton Park, Cheshire on 2-4 August. Dreamed up seemingly off the cuff by Chris Evans in his Radio 2 Breakfast Show last year, the original Carfest instantly grew into two events at Jody Scheckter's Laverstoke Farm and at Cholmondely Castle.

This year the Northern event gets to stretch its legs a bit more at Oulton Park circuit. Already sold out (in aid of BBC Children in Need), Carfest North has attracted such luminaries as baking superstar Paul Hollywood, and the fabulous 1962 Ferrari 250GTO of Nick Mason, one of only 39 built and allegedly worth around £20m.

In the face of so much Italian exotica, Jaguar Heritage is proudly flying the Union Flag. It is bringing an amazing collection of historic Jaguar racing cars to CarFest North starring the unique XJ13. Built in 1966 as a potential Le Mans contender, the mid-engined XJ13 remains unquestionably one of the most desirable and beautiful racing cars of all time.

There’s a notable Jaguar going under the hammer at CarFest North, too. Last year Silverstone Auctions raised more than £90,000 for BBC Children in Need via special charity sales staged at both CarFests. That figure could be topped in 2013 as one generous vendor has donated a very special Jaguar E-type V12 Roadster to the Pride & Joy auction at Oulton Park with all the proceeds – estimated at between £40,000 and £60,000 – going to BBC Children in Need.

The French will be out in force with a remarkable collection of rarely seen racing and rallying Matras including both Le Mans and Grand Prix winners all revving up for action at Oulton Park. There’s a further treat for F1 fans with James Hunt’s red and white McLaren M23 and Mario Andretti’s black and gold Lotus 77 performing in the Sprint. Both date back to the dramatic and controversial 1976 season as soon to featured in Ron Howard’s eagerly-anticipated Rush movie. The Hunt car is of notable interest as it’s the chassis he raced to wins in Spain and Germany as well as in the British Grand Prix before being disqualified following protests from arch-rival Ferrari.

Other notable highlights are dazzling parades of both Aston Martins and Lamborghinis to mark important milestones in their respective automotive histories plus, for the first time at a CarFest, the addition of some very special motorcycles.

As if the magical sights and sounds of so much show-stopping machinery aren’t enough, the festival atmosphere will continue after the dust settles on the Sprint. The music of V8 and V12 engines will be replaced by live sets from a host of top bands including Jamie Cullum, Ocean Colour Scene, The Feeling, Deacon Blue, Alfie Boe, Reef and Scouting for Girls. BBC Radio 2 also will be broadcasting live from Outlon Park from 10:00-13:00 on Saturday.
 

Friday evening’s performance is headed by Texas supported by The Magic Numbers and, though the weekend is a complete sell-out, some extra tickets are now available for the Friday. Gates open at mid-day with the non-stop entertainment commencing shortly afterwards at 12:30.

For more information and tickets visit the official Carfest website at www.carfest.org.