Get ready for a triple dose of excitement each day at The CarFest Track, promising you some incredible track shows. Witness hundreds of rare, iconic and priceless cars going around the tarmac.
Even if you are not a petrolhead, we can guarantee you won’t be able to take your eyes off the jaw-dropping action performed by some of the most fantastic cars.
Your chance to get close to the very special, iconic or rare beauties that you saw roaring around The Track. Every year we’ll bring together some very specially curated car displays celebrating notable milestones and anniversaries of legendary marques.
Ever dreamt of taking a spin in the car of your dreams?! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be driven in iconic classic cars or the latest supercars around The CarFest Track! Thanks to your generosity and the team at Sporting Bears, this hugely exciting driving experience has raised over £900,000 over the past 14 years for our Children’s Charities. Stay tuned to discover the fantastic selection of cars that you will be able to bid on!
2024 marks 35 years since the Mazda MX-5 was revealed to the world at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show. And what better way to celebrate this amazing sports car than to have ten examples from across the four generations sold on the CarFest track?! The world’s best-selling two-seater roadster, total global MX-5 sales have now passed 1.2million, with over 390,000 of those being in Europe, where the UK has always been the biggest selling market. The MX-5 went on sale in the UK in March 1990, and since then a car that was originally inspired by the affordable rear-wheel drive British sports cars of the 60s and 70s, has remained close to the heart of British enthusiasts.
As ever, the team at CarFest is committed to moving with the times and making sure that we keep all CarFesters not just entertained but also informed! This year we’ve added a brand-new feature to the Cars@CarFest area, with the introduction of The EV Café!
We've joined forces with the team from The EV Café to create a unique new opportunity for you to ask everything you have ever wanted about Electrifying Your Life!
We’ve brought together leading names from the electric vehicle industry (EVs) to chat and take part in a series of panel discussions, fireside chats and Q&As to help open the doors and demystify everything EV!
Here’s a taste of just some of the expert panel sessions and fireside chats we’ve got lined up for you.
Keep an eye out for more updates!
Make your way to the Cars at CarFest field where the world’s leading automotive brands bring their latest innovations directly to you! This is your exclusive opportunity to meet the teams behind some of the most exciting cars on the market, ask questions, and gain unique insights into the design and technology that drive these vehicles. Get up close and personal with the newest models, from electric and hybrid to high-performance vehicles, and experience firsthand the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of driving.
This year some of our fabulous Vehicle Manufacturers are bringing a selection of their latest EVs to CarFest and giving you the opportunity to experience the cars at first hand without the hassle of having to go to a dealer! You can either pre-book a slot or pop down during your visit to our Test Drive Centre to take one of the last models for a quick spin.
The chance to admire incredible collections of cars selected by the UK’s most reputable Car Clubs. Their owners will be showing off a fabulous range of both classic and modern cars. Why not drop by over the weekend to meet the members of the clubs and learn the fascinating stories behind their stunning cars?!
The Basingstoke Classic Mini Club welcomes owners in Basingstoke and all surrounding areas. The CarFest VW crew are a bunch of friends that have been The Corvette is in its 71st year of production and since 2020 the eighth The Citrëon Club is representing the 2CV Club of Great Britain, the Traction Owners Club and the Citrëon The club is run by its members and successfully so.
Come along to a meet and say hello.
The CarFest VW crew are a bunch of friends that have been attending CarFest since the beginning. This year, they will be bringing a mix of old and new show winning Campervans from the 1960’s till present day including a limited edition T4 Westfalia, a T5 on air ride, a Karmann Ghias from the 60’s and 70’s, a rare 1972 VW Trekker and a show stopping 1960 Ragtop Beetle.
All these vehicles a privately owned and used regularly for either camping trips all over Europe or weekend shows all over the UK.
They will also be bringing along a range of retro BMX bikes from the 1980's Raleigh burners to a Haro freestyler!
The Corvette is in its 71st year of production and since 2020 the eighth generation ‘C8’ Corvette includes the Stingray, Z06 and the ‘E-Ray’ hybrid models.
For the first time Corvettes are now available in right-hand drive from the factory and are on sale in the UK.
Since 1979 the Classic Corvette Club UK has welcomed all Corvette enthusiasts, and the club now has over 1,000 members annually. We can provide a wealth of knowledge about the history of these cars and also practical know-how when it comes to maintenance, insurance and the day-to-day running of a Corvette.
The Citrëon Club is representing the 2CV Club of Great Britain, the Traction Owners Club and the Citrëon Car Club at the festival.
Between the clubs, they cater for a diverse range of vehicles. They span the earliest offerings from Citrëon such as the Type C3 from the roaring twenties, through the ever-popular 2CV and Traction Avant to modern classics such as the C6.
On display will be a Slough built Traction Avant, an original 007 edition of the 2CV alongside a pair of 2CV’s converted to electric power for the modern era.
Club Lotus is The Worlds Largest enthusiasts club for Classic and New Lotus cars. Club Lotus is all about enjoying one of the world's great sports cars.
The Ferrari Owners Club of Great Britain organises many events each year including Ferrari track days at circuits such as Silverstone and Goodwood, where you can enjoy the freedom of driving without speed restrictions and appreciate the full potential of your car. There are also plenty of social gatherings throughout the year where you can meet other like-minded people and share your passion for all things Ferrari.
There are more than 20 regional groups of the Owners’ Club who organise their own local events.
The Ferrari Kent club have supported the main club for the past 32 years.
Figaro Owners Club’s wonderful cars are unique as they are all identical (except for their colour and some optional extras!) and only 20000 were ever made!
Only produced in Japan in 1991, their Figaros are all 31 years old this year.
Figaro Owners Club have been coming to CarFest since 2014.
The GA4 Club promotes the preservation and use of the Land Rover G4 Challenge vehicles and accessories, as used in the Land Rover G4 Challenge events in 2003, 2006, and the preservation of the Limited Edition G4 vehicles produced by Land Rover.
This club also provides information on past Land Rover G4 Challenge events to its members and the interested public.
The Lotus Drivers Club provides the opportunity to join a community of owners and join a new lifestyle that will be sure to enhance the ownership experience of any Lotus owner. Hard work, entertainment, dynamism and friendliness are the watchwords that make the Lotus Drivers Club such a vibrant entity.
A calendar brimming with driver events up and down the country, including a fish and chip run. The club aims to get everyone out and driving their Lotus at every opportunity, with a diary packed full of exciting events at home and abroad. Their magazine, Chicane, is produced four times a year and provides fantastic features, comparing Lotus models through the years in handling and sprint trials, to providing restoration advice along with insurance updates, tour reports, and information on upcoming events.
The MR2 Drivers' Club has been running for over 33 years - nearly as long as the MR2 itself!
Endorsed by Toyota GB, they attend and organise meets all year round, ranging from social lunches over winter to scenic drives and static shows all summer. In 2023, the Club attended over 140 events nationally, including their own annual highlight the MR2DC National Day, when over 400 MR2s gather together for the day. Whether your MR2 is Mk1, Mk2 or Mk3, spotless or muddy, concours or rusty - all are welcome to join the club for just £15 a year!
Overton Classic Revival is an informal but enthusiastic group of classic car owners and fans. They are based in the delightful village of Overton in Hampshire and welcome all vehicles that are classic by age or interest. They hold monthly meetings at the excellent local pub, The Greyhound (a big thank you to our hosts Marc and Lisa). They also go for regular Drive-Outs, and attend and display at a variety of shows and events. They love particularly to attend CarFest at Laverstoke Park Farm, as members can walk to and from the show to their home!
Founded in 1970, The TR Register is one of the most successful ones make car clubs in the world. The TR Register caters for the needs of owners, past present and future of the entire range of Triumph TR sports cars from TR2 to TR8 and their associated derivatives Swallow Doretti, Peerless, Warwick, Italia and Grinnall
On The Kwik Fit-Michelin Track at CarFest, you will see special versions of all four generations of MX-5, plus two examples of the current 2024 Mazda MX-5 – one roadster and one RF Retractable Fastback.
Commenting on 35 years of the MX-5, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director, Jeremy Thomson, said: “Since the launch of the original model over 136,000 Mazda MX-5s have been sold in the UK. This is a sports car that has resonated with enthusiastic British drivers ever since its debut and four generations on it’s as popular as ever. Along the way, it has remained true to the original principle of being an affordable, lightweight and above all fun-to-drive roadster. Today it is the very essence of the Jinba Ittai driver-and-car-as-one philosophy that goes into every Mazda.”
At CarFest, you will get the chance to admire a display that includes two 1.6-litre Mk1 MX-5s, the incredibly rare 1.6-litre turbo-charged Le Mans special edition Mk1 and a later 1.8-litre Mk1 in iconic British Racing Green. Also taking to the display track are three limited edition models that marked landmark moments in the MX-5 history: the Mk2 10th Anniversary, the Mk3 25th Anniversary and the Mk4 30th Anniversary. And the line-up is completed by the 2016 Launch Edition version of the Mazda MX-5 RF, plus two versions of the current 2024 Mazda MX-5.
We’ll be bringing together leading names from the electric vehicle industry (EVs) to chat and take part in a series of panel discussions, fireside chats and Q&As to help open the doors and demystify everything EV!
Unleash the Potential of Electric Living:
The EV Cafe is your one-stop shop to:
Join us at Carfest and discover how easy electrifying your life can be!
Stay tuned for more announcements about our exciting line-up of speakers and exhibitors!
The EV Cafe - Electrify Your Life
(www.evcafe.org)
TRACKSIDE COMMENTARY
Mike Bushell is the longest-serving sports presenter on BBC One's flagship morning show, BBC Breakfast, where he has been a fixture for over 22 years. During his tenure, he has showcased and personally tried more than 550 different sports to inspire viewers to take up new hobbies and activities, setting a world record in the process. His diverse experiences range from quidditch, kin ball, and penny farthing polo to various motorsports including hovercraft racing, wing walking, sidecar racing, Formula One, Formula E, and rallying, reflecting his deep passion for motorsports. This makes him an ideal participant in our track cavalcade at CarFest.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Mike showcased his dance skills on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, finishing 7th with partner Katya Jones. So, keep an eye out for some “dancing” swivels as the music kicks off here at CarFest.
Mike is also an avid runner, having completed a 180-mile run in six days at the age of 15 to raise money for charity. No excuses for skipping the Sunday fun run, Mike!
His TV appearances include winning celebrity editions of The Weakest Link, Mastermind, and Catchpoint, although he wasn't as fortunate on The Chase and Hit List.
Mike is perhaps best known for his unforgettable tumble into a swimming pool while interviewing swimmers live from Australia on BBC One in 2018—a moment that has since become iconic. Rest assured, we'll keep him away from any water hazards here at Car Fest.
A local resident of Overton, Mike often walks his dog around these fields when they're not bustling with CarFest activities.
TRACKSIDE COMMENTARY
Jason Plato is a British racing driver and a legend in British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). He has twice been BTCC Champion, in 2001 for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the Championship 12 times and holds the record for the most overall race wins in the BTCC on 97 victories and has been on the podium in excess of 250 times. He has also a presenter on the motoring television series Fifth Gear.
Jason will be joining Mike Bushell trackside on Saturday as well as hosting some very special guest chats in The EV Café.
COMMENTATOR
A well-known personality in the automotive world, Neil was the face of the World Rally Championship for many years, presenter for Eurosport’s coverage of Le Mans 24 Hours, and has been a regular host on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel, working closely with the late great Ken Block. He’s also a radio presenter, sports commentator, award-winning comedian and actor.
Representing our “Super-Chargers” electric vehicles (EV) group we are delighted to be joined by Richard ‘Moggy’ Morgan (from TVs Vintage Voltage) and the genius behind Electric Classic Cars with his “BugZappa” hill-climb race car - an EV converted classic VW Beetle.
Moggy has classic car DNA in his veins, having owned, restored and raced various classics since the age of 17. Electric Classic Cars was born out of the passion for classic cars and the desire to make them more reliable and ecological to drive.
Described as ‘a human volcano of ideas with the ingenuity to make them happen’, Edd is an Inventor, Designer, Engineer, Car Builder and TV presenter. He is probably best known for co-presenting Discovery’s Wheeler Dealers for 13 years but, as well as being a co-producer on Wheeler Dealers, he has also appeared on Scrapheap Challenge, Top Gear, Pulling Power and Fifth Gear and holds several Guinness World Records. Amongst others, he set records for World’s fastest sofa, shed, bathroom, bed and largest shopping trolley. He hosts a YouTube channel and has just published his first book.
Rick Parfitt Jnr is a British racing driver and rock musician from London. In his youth, he won multiple national and international karting titles, including the Le Mans 24 Du Karting and Dubai 24hr. Transitioning from karts to cars in 2011, Rick excelled in the GT5 class, set two lap records, and became the British GT4 Champion in his debut year (2013). He then joined the factory Ginetta GT3 squad before moving to Bentley in 2016, where he raced for four years and earned numerous accolades, including over 20 podium finishes.
Rick made history in 2017 by becoming the first driver to win both GT4 and GT3 titles. He also won the iconic RAC Trophy, became British GT3 overall drivers and 'Pro Am' Champion, and was named Blancpain 'Am Driver of the Year'. The British Racing Drivers Club awarded him the 'John Cobb Trophy' and the prestigious 'Innes Ireland Trophy' for his achievements.
Apart from racing, Rick's band has performed worldwide alongside legends like Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, and Bryan Ferry. In 2022, he competed in the British Touring Car Championship, aiming to race at the highest levels of motorsport while proving that illness does not define one's capabilities.
BYD is a high-tech company devoted to leveraging technological innovations for a better life. Featuring industry-leading battery technology our range of EVs deliver safe and sustainable driving.
BYD will be showcasing our full range of electric vehicles at CarFest including the compact and versatile BYD DOLPHIN, the spacious and dynamic ATTO 3 and the stylish and sporty BYD SEAL. The brand new BYD SEAL U will also be on display; an SUV combining the oceanic aesthetics of BYD design with futuristic touches, resulting in a striking car for eco-conscious families.
GWM ORA, the all-electric Chinese car brand known for its retro-futuristic style and innovative technology is exhibiting an exciting range of ORA 03’s at this year’s Carfest event. ORA 03 has an impressive set of accolades including a 5 star best-in-class Euro NCAP safety rating, a Which? Best Buy in the medium sized car category and most recently two category wins as Green NCAP’s most environmentally friendly and efficient car in the ‘Small Family Car’ and ‘Full Electric Car’ categories.
Available for Test Drives from the Test Drive Centre
Mazda is a Japanese carmaker based in Japan, recognised internationally for its perseverance and pioneering spirit, winning the hearts and minds of its customers around the globe with beautiful design and innovative engineering solutions that can only be “Crafted in Japan.” Drivers experience a feeling of oneness and harmony with the car. It’s called Jinba Ittai, and translates as horse and rider in perfect harmony.
Tracing its history back to 1924, MG is the iconic British motoring brand, famous for building sporty, exciting and value-for-money cars which are always fun to drive. From the original MG 14/28 Super Sports car, designed by the legendary Cecil Kimber, to the all-electric MG5 EV of today, MG has always been innovative, always been radical and always been fun!
Today, MG is the fastest growing car brand in the UK, fielding a range of practical and affordable hatchbacks, SWs and SUVs. Designed in Marylebone, London, and manufactured in state-of-the-art factories in several countries, today’s MGs are practical, spacious, packed with technology and perfect for modern life.
Marshall Hampshire, conveniently located in Hook, forms part of the Constellation Automotive Group, and was established as Marshall Motor Group over 110 years ago. The team at Marshall BMW & MINI in Hampshire pride themselves in providing the highest level of service, selling a wide range of New and Approved Used models.
Nissan is passionate about creating innovative technologies and products based on the spirit of "Dare to do what others don’t". Nissan's UK Sunderland plant has been manufacturing cars since 1986 and produces vehicles including the Nissan LEAF, Juke, and Qashqai. Qashqai and Juke both feature in the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars of 2023, in 2nd and 8th positions respectively.
Founded in 1895, Škoda is one of the world's oldest car manufacturers. Based in the Czech Republic and part of the Volkswagen Group, Škoda creates cars that are Made for Familying.
You can explore the all-new Kodiaq and the all-electric Enyaq, on the Škoda stand.
Available for Test Drives from the Test Drive Centre
Volkswagen debuts the 7-seat ID. Buzz, combining spacious seating with innovative electric technology, marking a new era of sustainable and versatile family transport. Visitors will also have the opportunity to test drive the ID. Buzz 5-seat model and the rugged Amarok.
Designed by the creative duo Craig & Karl, known for their distinctive art, the vibrant stand features a colouring wall and a relaxing area with VDub Radio. Join us to experience these innovations and unwind in style at CarFest.
GWM ORA, the all-electric Chinese car brand is exhibiting an exciting range of ORA 03’s at this year’s Carfest event. With the ORA 03 PURE+ and PRO+ available for test drive you can expect a whole host of features to test and enjoy including: heated, cooled and massage front seats, heated steering-wheel, panoramic sunroof, powered gesture tailgate, rear privacy glass and advanced automatic parking assistance.
So, come and say hello to the GWM ORA team who will be ready to chat all things electric and showcase the brilliant ORA 03. Your test drive will be accompanied by one of their pro drivers. You’ll need to complete a driver declaration form on the day, before your test drive and remember to bring your driver’s license and NI number so they can generate a DVLA check code for you. If you forget, they can always offer you a passenger ride instead.
Drivers will need to be 25 years and older. With allowance of 3 points for conviction on one event.
PRE BOOKThe all-new Škoda Kodiaq and all-electric Škoda Enyaq are both available to test drive. Škoda SUVs are Made for Familying. Come and try one for yourself and bring the family.
To book a test drive, you can either pre-book (we have early slots available), or on the day, simply stop by the Škoda stand (location CF3) where our team can confirm availability and get you booked on for your test drive experience
PRE BOOKExperience the all-electric ID. Buzz and latest Amarok pick up which are both available to test drive.
ID. Buzz 5 seat
VW are bringing back an iconic design with the all-electric ID. Buzz. State-of-the-art infotainment and Driver Assistance systems and a flexible space concept provide mobile comfort that sets new standards. An electric vehicle for families, friends and the challenges of everyday life. Visually a homage to the first campervan and at the same time completely unique: the expressive design of the ID. Buzz combines modern proportions with innovative technology. Both the ID. Buzz Life and ID. Buzz Style will be available for you to experience for yourself.
The Amarok
This is Amarok. Fundamentally reimagined, the Amarok defines the premium segment with its modern technology and redesigned styling. As an outdoor companion, it stands out with improved off-road capability. For those looking for a robust and reliable vehicle, its broad variety of new features, such as the 3.5T towing capability for all automatic transmissions and other convenient details, are ready for any challenges. On-road or off-road, the Amarok Style looks as good as it drives. An elegant all-rounder that never fails to impress with its wealth of additional design and comfort features. Whatever the requirements may be: The Amarok meets them effortlessly.
By taking a test drive, you will also receive a free Volkswagen tote bag, featuring an exclusive Craig & Karl design!
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