If you’re a car enthusiast, then you’ll no doubt have heard of Ocean Speedway, the famed British automotive event that has been taking place since 1913. Now in its 100th year, Ocean Speedway is undoubtedly the most prestigious UK motor racing festival. Every September, the streets of Portsmouth are transformed into a crazy race track and a playground for automotive enthusiasts. With top speed limits of up to 40 mph and no left hand turns, you’d better get excited. Are you a fan of classic cars, muscle cars, or sports cars? If so, then you’re in for a treat with this year’s event scheduled for 14th – 16th September 2019.
Why Should You Be There?
Aside from being a great place to catch up with friends, meet new people, and see some classic automobiles, there’s a lot more to Ocean Speedway than meets the eye. There are actually four distinct events that you could attend, each one catering to a different type of motor enthusiast. If you’re looking to expand your automotive knowledge, then this is a must-see festival for you.
Classic Cars
If you’re a true car enthusiast and you’ve got your heart set on owning a classic vehicle, then Ocean Speedway is the place to be. This year’s event has something for everyone, with a huge variety of classic cars and motorcycles on display. If you’ve got your heart set on owning a specific model, then you can head to the classic car section of the festival and take a look at the various vehicles on offer. From bright yellow racing cars to retro classics, the variety is incredible.
Many automotive enthusiasts are driven by the desire to restore and modify their favorite vehicles, using whatever parts they can get their hands on. If that’s your type of thing and you’re looking for a hobby, then you could find yourself spending a lot of time at Ocean Speedway in the coming months. The organisers have even given the classic car enthusiasts a special section of the event known as ‘The Crazy Quilt’ – a jumble of garages, car shops, and modified vehicles that is a true automotive masterpiece.
Muscle Cars
If you’ve ever driven on the infamous British Motorway system (M42, M1, A1, M25, etc.), then you’ll know exactly what kind of cars Ocean Speedway is talking about when they refer to muscle cars. If you’ve got a hunch that you’ve got what it takes to hustle some wheels, then you can test your mettle and take part in one of the festival’s two American road racing series: the Sports Car Challenge and the Top Fuel Challenge. These are informal races that see drivers from all over the world (and all shapes and sizes of cars) battling it out on a purpose-built racetrack in the English Channel port town of Deal.
If that’s not your style, you can also check out the other side of the festival, where the Muscle Motorcycle Club hosts one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the UK. If you’ve got a hunch that you can ride and pull a mean wheelie, then you can tune your bike and show off your skills in the bike games – a real festival highlight. These are unlicensed races that allow motorcyclists to let their hair down and have some fun, with no need for official organizers or insurance paperwork. If speed is your thing, and you’re looking for a different type of motorsport fix, then you could do a lot worse than heading to Ocean Speedway and having some fun in the name of hobby.
Sports Cars
If you’re a true speed enthusiast and you’ve got your heart set on owning a lightweight sports car, the Ford GT or the McLaren SLR were both developed with the intent to conquer the legendary 24-hour Le Mans race. If you’ve got a hunch that you can hit 60 mph in less than six seconds and pull a mean wheelie, then you can take part in one of the festival’s four motor racing series: the BRSCC’s Sports 2000, RAC Sport’s Sports Series, the Vintage Sports and Saloon Car Club’s Sports Saloon championships. These are pretty serious races with top professionals taking part in them. If you’re looking for a place to let your hair down and have some fun, then you can head to one of the many fun zones set up around the race track for that very purpose. With no set time and some makeshift weather conditions, you could end up somewhere completely different from what you expected – a real highlight of the event for those who love a change. If you’re looking for a hobby, you could do a lot worse than heading to Ocean Speedway and having some fun in the name of fun.
Vintage & Antique
Last but not least, we have the vintage and antique cars – that’s the bit between your ears screaming “penny pinchers not welcome”. If you’re not exactly sure what kind of cars these are, then don’t worry, you’re not alone. This year’s event is also geared towards helping with the educational aspect, with a whole kids’ zone set up, special exhibits, and workshops available. Kids can even make their very own car models and bring them to life using 3D printing technology. This is a great way for them to learn while having fun and making new friends. If you’ve got a hunch that you can dust off your vintage car and show off its charm, then you can test your mettle and take part in one of the festival’s three vintage car rallies – the Antique Car Club’s Rally, the Vintage Drivers’ Association’s Revival, and the Solstice Circle’s Rally. These competitive races see drivers from all over the world (and all shapes and sizes of cars) battling it out on a purpose-built racetrack in the English Channel port town of Newhaven.
If you’re a car enthusiast and this is one of the biggest festivals in the UK, then you’ll no doubt want to be there with your own personal vehicle. You’ll have your hands full trying to park, especially if you’re anything like me and you’ve got a small car. If you’ve got a hunch that you’ve got what it takes to pull a mean wheelie, then you can test your mettle and take part in one of the festival’s four American road racing series: the Sports Car Challenge, the Top Fuel Challenge, the Vintage Sports and Saloon Car Club’s Sports Saloon championships, and the RAC Sport’s Sports Series. These are pretty serious races with top professionals taking part in them.
If you want to have some fun, you could head to one of the many fun zones set up around the race track for that very purpose or catch one of the many live music performances that take place throughout the weekend. If you’ve got a hunch that you can drive any old car and show off its charm, then you can test your mettle and take part in one of the festival’s three vintage car rallies – the Antique Car Club’s Rally, the Vintage Drivers’ Association’s Revival, and the Solstice Circle’s Rally. These competitive races see drivers from all over the world battling it out on a purpose-built racetrack in the English Channel port town of Newhaven. With no set time and some makeshift weather conditions, you could end up somewhere completely different from what you expected – a real highlight for those who love a change. If you’ve got a hunch that you can dust off your vintage car and show off its charm, then you can test your mettle and take part in one of the festival’s four American road racing series: the Sports Car Challenge, the Top Fuel Challenge, the Vintage Sports and Saloon Car Club’s Sports Saloon championships, and the RAC Sport’s Sports Series. These are pretty serious races with top professionals taking part in them.
Each September, Portsmouth is transformed into a crazy race track and a playground for automotive enthusiasts. If you’re a fan of classic cars, muscle cars, or sports cars, then this is a must-see festival for you. There are actually four distinct events that you could attend, each one catering to a different type of motor enthusiast. If you’re looking to expand your automotive knowledge, then this is a must-see festival for you. With top speed limits of up to 40 mph and no left hand turns, you’d better get excited. Are you a fan of classic cars, muscle cars, or sports cars? If so, then this is a must-see festival for you. This year’s event is on from 14th to 16th September 2019, with daily practice sessions running from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is free, but spaces are limited, so be sure to get your place on the waiting list as soon as possible.