3 Minute Read

8 Dream Races To See Before You Die

Posted by - Tim Earnshaw on 7 March 2023 (Updated 9 March 2023)
Categories: Advice

Televised motorsport might give you the camera angles and close-ups. But when it comes to pure, undiluted atmosphere, nothing beats being there for real. Picture the scene. A sun-dappled afternoon on foreign soil. The strangely intoxicating aroma of oil and burnt rubber. Rising to your feet as the fleet screams round the bend towards you. Then the photo finish, the champagne sprayed from the podium and off into the night for dinner with friends.

There are some races that everyone should experience at least once – and here our classic car storage team chooses eight you can’t miss. Better yet, because a key feature of our long-term car storage service is keeping your vehicle always ‘on the button’ and ready to leave at short notice, you can make your travel plans the moment you’ve finished reading.

Monaco GP

monaco-gp

In late-May, the beautiful people flock to the French Riviera, thronging the 3.3-km Circuit de Monaco for arguably the F1 season’s most glamorous fixture. With this year’s grid set to include Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, strap in for 78 screamingly fast laps against a backdrop that instantly makes you feel like a golden-era movie star.

Isle of Man TT

Isle-of-Man-TT

Less glitzy, more rugged – but just as exciting in its way – the Isle Of Man TT sees the sleepy island turn motorbike nirvana for the fortnight as a fleet of two-wheelers pit their skills against an unforgiving 37-mile Mountain Course carved from the public roads. Arrive for Qualifying Week starting May 29th and leave yourself plenty of time to explore on rest days.

Le Mans 24H

Le-Mans-24

With motorsport’s ultimate endurance test toasting its 100th anniversary this summer, there’s never been a better time to make a beeline for the westerly Pays de la Loire region and marvel at the sheer grit on display. Lose the alarm clock and watch through the night, while keeping your eyes peeled for Ferrari’s new 499P Hypercar.

Dakar Rally

Dakar-Rally

Conceived in 1977 by Thierry Sabine after the motorcyclist lost his way in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally, the audacious cross-country race formerly known as the Paris Dakar now unfolds in Saudi Arabia. Starting on the shores of the Red Sea and ending on the Arabian Gulf, the 5,000-kilometre route is billed, without exaggeration, as “one for the tough guys”.

24h Nürburgring

24h-Nurburgring

The more venerable Le Mans might beat it for mythology, but for the past half-century there have been thrills (not to mention some eye-watering spills) during the touring car and GT endurance test hosted by the Nürburgring’s twin Nordschleife and GP-Strecke circuits. Head to the westerly state of Rhineland-Palatinate – and bring coffee.

Daytona 500

daytona-500-race

Florida’s Daytona International Speedway is the setting for the near-mythical 500-mile NASCAR Cup Series contest billed as ‘the great American race’. Big, brash and unashamedly made in the USA, when you take your place in the stands you’ll swear you’re in Pixar’s Cars.

Monte Carlo Rally

Monte-Carlo-Rally

When Prince Albert I inaugurated the world’s oldest rally in 1911, the aim was to demonstrate automobile innovation and promote Monaco as a tourist destination. The Monte Carlo Rally still does both, challenging a raft of dream machines to fight it out on the often-perilous asphalt of the French Alps, and drawing thousands of spectators to the impossibly chic Monaco Harbour.

Bathurst 1000

Bathurst-1000

For those seeking an even grander adventure, the Bathurst 1000 touring car race is held each year on the Mount Panorama Circuit in New South Wales, Australia. Informally known as the Great Race, the 1000-kilometre contest offers some of motorsport’s most treacherous twists – including the infamous Dipper corner – and will reward one hardened driver with the Peter Brock Trophy introduced in 2006 to salute the late ‘king of the mountain’.

Then slow down at Windrush classic car storage

With ears ringing from the squeal of exhausts and memories you’ll treasure for life, make your way home to Windrush prestige car storage in the Cotswolds and central London. From our renowned twelve-step induction process to our bespoke maintenance programme that continues throughout your stay, no other long-term car storage service keeps a closer eye on your pride and joy.

Learn more about Windrush luxury car storage. Our expert team is ready to help you on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk

Get in touch
Call Cotswolds +44 (0) 1451 821 008
Call London +44 (0) 207 458 4418
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1 Minute Read

The Best UK Race Circuits To Drive

Read Article
There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to…
Read Article
There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to home. Considering the UK’s negligible size, these isles punch well above their weight, offering a choice of stellar tracks within day-trip distance from Windrush’s classic car storage in central London and the Cotswolds. Better still, many of the very best are yours to drive. From big names to cult heroes, here are eight of our favourite UK race circuits to drive, as chosen by Windrush’s long term car storage team.    Goodwood Motor Circuit Founded in 1948 and the only race track in the world to remain in its original form, the 2.3-mile Goodwood circuit comes with a side order of nostalgia. As the scene of all-time-great drives by Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and more, the location is almost overwhelmingly evocative – but you’ll need every last drop of focus to negotiate the deceptively challenging six corners and chicane. Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit Presiding over the Irish Sea and in the shadows of Snowdonia, Anglesey is a cinematically stunning location, no doubt explaining the repeat business from car magazines and motoring TV shows (Chris Harris of Top Gear memorably called it a “playground for cars”). A one-time army training camp, the track opened for business in 1989 and was refreshed in 2007 as a state-of-the-art 2.1-mile circuit that’s fast, smooth and challenging. Isle of Man TT Mountain Course From May 28th, the world’s greatest bikers will take on the 37-mile route that slices through the island nation’s public streets and rural stretches. Either side of the TT event, however, the Mountain Course is yours to enjoy, starting at the Grandstand (where daring drivers can clock 100mph), around the notorious Gooseneck, and often with stunning views of the Irish Sea.     Cadwell Park Now approaching its 90th anniversary, Cadwell is nicknamed the ‘mini-Nürburgring’ for its twisty and undulating Woodland section, not to mention the notorious Mountain jump that sees bikers leave the asphalt and hang in the air for seconds on end. With track days running throughout summer, it’s a great connoisseurs choice. Santa Pod Formerly a WWII air base, Santa Pod has blazed a reputation in modern times as ground zero for the UK and Europe’s drag racing scene. It’s the ultimate location to test your launch control and acceleration over the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, although as the host of 80-plus events, you’ll need to book early for the Run What Ya Brung and Drift What Ya Brung public track days.      Oulton Park Home of the British Touring Car Championships, British Superbike Championship and British F3/GT, Oulton Park follows the natural contours of the Cheshire countryside and is all the more challenging for it – drive this hard-surfaced 2.69-mile track and you’ll negotiate everything from shifting gradients to blind crests, not to mention the treacherous Knickerbrook Corner. Silverstone GP A no-brainer, admittedly – but as the national treasure location for the British Grand Prix (an event it first hosted in 1948), every motoring enthusiast should get the chance to drive that fabled track at least once in their life. Silverstone might be iconic, but don’t be overawed – you’ll need your wits about you for the Maggotts and Copse corners that have felled many a professional. Millbrook Proving Ground Arguably Europe’s greatest vehicle testing centre – and certainly one of the largest, at 700 acres – Millbrook is generally closed to the public while the car sector’s manufacturers put their works-in-progress through their paces. There’s a back door for enthusiasts, however, with the Total Car Control and Dynamic Driving Masterclasses pairing you with a pro driver/instructor to find out what your vehicle is really capable of. Then cool your tyres with Windrush classic car storage Pushing your vehicle to the limit is an undeniable thrill, but after going to extremes, it’s even more important to wind down the right way afterwards. When your tyres cool, come to Windrush long term car storage in London or the Cotswolds. We’ll listen to your needs, then create a bespoke car storage programme that works for you. From the pace-setting twelve-step induction process that greets you, to the rolling maintenance programme for long term car storage clients, we’ll keep your car primed for action and ready to beat your lap speed record. Windrush would love to tell you more about our classic car storage solutions. Get in touch on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
five-foodie-road-trips-main-original-1657527026
1 Minute Read

Five Foodie Road Trips

Read Article
Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy…
Read Article
Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy Sunday, check your vehicle out of Windrush classic car storage and hit the road for the best sights and sustenance the UK has to offer. Here are five of the best foodie road trips taken recently by our long term car storage team. Let us know if we’re missing anything on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk The Yorkshire Fish & Chip Trail The North is rightly proud of its chippy credentials, and the tourist board’s canny Fish & Chip Trail map hits up local heroes like Scotts in Helmsley (recently voted fish and chip shop of the year), Blakeley’s in Brighouse and Whitby’s hard-to-miss Magpie Café. Find a seat with views of the twinkling waterfront before you open your box and life doesn’t get much better.    The West Scotland Whisky Trail Travel with a co-pilot to take full advantage of this winding westerly coastal route from Campbeltown to the Isle of Skye and Fort William. From the smoky Islay malts that light a fire in your throat to the decade-aged golden swirls of the Talisker Distillery, Scotland’s finest drams await. The South East’s Café To Café Run One breakfast good, two breakfasts better. Start your café-to-café run at Jenner’s in Maidenhead – an acclaimed family riverside eatery also known for its car meets – then cross the Thames on the A4, skim past stately Cliveden House and head for the mods ‘n’ rockers mecca that is the Ace Café. The Yorkshire Ale Trail Once again entrusting the wheel to a friend, follow the Yorkshire Ale Trail map that threads through the county’s best pubs, breweries and beer festivals. If hitting the full 30-plus ale locations is a little too much of a commitment, at least make time to sup at local legends like the West Riding Refreshment Rooms (situated in the original 1848 Tudor waiting rooms of Dewsbury train station) and Ripon’s Royal Oak (a repurposed 18th century coaching inn).      The Dorset Coast Stick a pin in the Jurassic coast and you can’t go wrong for food: the whole region understandably has some of the UK’s freshest seafood and a new generation of chefs doing exciting things with it. But be sure to draw a circle around Lyme Regis, in particular, where The Whole Hog is leading a gang of local street food merchants beating the restaurateurs at their own game. Then come home to Windrush classic car storage Every great road trip should end with the perfect car storage procedure. At Windrush, we treat our clients’ vehicles with the same care and attention we would our own. Pull into our luxury car storage in London and the Cotswolds, and you’ll feel the Windrush difference immediately, as we get started with the renowned twelve-step induction that beds your car down the right way. And that’s just the start of our long term car storage solution. However long you’re staying with us, we’ll keep your vehicle primed and ready to roll, with a made-to-measure maintenance programme that factors in everything from tyre pressure to fuelling. At Windrush, that’s just how we do it. Windrush’s classic car storage team is ready to tell you more. Drop us a line on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
the-worlds-best-ice-drives-main-original-1670303080.jpeg?w=1024&h=576&scale
1 Minute Read

The World’s Best Ice Drives

Read Article
When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power…
Read Article
When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power down your vehicle for the season, either by planning your own long term car storage solution or by turning to the professionals at Windrush. But the second option is to embrace the sub-zero conditions and embark on one of the grandest adventures that off-grid motoring has to offer. Perhaps you’ve always been intrigued by the idea of an ice drive, but didn’t know where to start. This winter, take the plunge and try one of these five frosty routes picked out by Windrush’s luxury car storage team. Pello, Finland The Finns claim to have invented ice driving, and whether that’s true or not, the Scandinavian nation certainly has some of the finest stretches. Head for Pello in Lapland, check your vehicle over at the village of Juoksenki, then follow the Arctic Circle ice road that connects the borders of Finland and Sweden. Spellbinding in its untouched beauty, the route enjoys the best driving conditions between December and April. Arjeplog, Sweden Cross the border to Swedish Lapland and you’ll find a bewitching wilderness whose centrepiece – Lake Uddjaur – is a connoisseur’s choice amongst ice drivers. There’s a number of professional rally schools operating in the area who’ll supply all the gear – right down to the thermal underwear – and equip you with the stud-tyred BMWs and Volvos in which experienced drivers can potentially top out at over 60mph. Abondance, France Mother Nature is responsible for some of Europe’s most incredible ice roads, but head to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the French Alps and you’ll be awestruck by the continent’s biggest man-made circuit. Whether you bring your own car or rent the most popular Porsche Cayman and Alpine A110 models, Abondance’s hairpins and S-bends mean you’ll need your wits about you. If you’re staying at the ski resort of the same name, fit this once-in-a-lifetime experience into your holiday itinerary at all costs. Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia Mongolian winters are perishingly cold – with temperatures routinely dropping to minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit – but you’ll find good cheer at Lake Khövsgöl in the northwest province of the same name. As the location of the annual Festival Of Ice, the ancient lake hosts myriad activities, from bone throwing to archery. But with ice as thick as 160cm, the most exciting pursuit is simply turning the key and heading for the horizon. Lake Baikal, Siberia Make no mistake, crossing this forty-mile natural skating rink in deepest Russia is not for first-timers – but if you’re a veteran ice driver seeking the ultimate challenge, Lake Baikal is the equivalent of Everest. Set in a bleakly beautiful landscape, the lake’s rough, bumpy, pitted surface – with the occasional foot-wide crevasse – means a local guide is essential, but if you make it across, you’ll have the kudos of all in the ice driving community. Warm up at Windrush classic car storage Come in out of the cold at Windrush’s long-term car storage facilities in London and the Cotswolds. We know exactly what warms the cockles of a cherished vehicle, and we pledge unbeatable attention to detail for the duration of your stay. You’ll notice the Windrush difference in our renowned twelve-step induction process, and that’s just the start of a prestige car storage service that always goes the extra mile, with ongoing maintenance and checkovers right through to the moment we hand back the keys. Rely on Windrush for luxury car storage with a warm welcome. We’re ready and waiting for your inquiry on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • the-best-uk-race-circuits-to-drive-main-original-1653573900.jpeg?w=1024&h=728&scale
    1 Minute Read

    The Best UK Race Circuits To Drive

    Read Article
    There’s no shortage of fabled international race circuits, of course – but don’t overlook the gems closer to home. Considering the UK’s negligible size, these isles punch well above their weight, offering a choice of stellar tracks within day-trip distance from Windrush’s classic car storage in central London and the Cotswolds. Better still, many of the very best are yours to drive. From big names to cult heroes, here are eight of our favourite UK race circuits to drive, as chosen by Windrush’s long term car storage team.    Goodwood Motor Circuit Founded in 1948 and the only race track in the world to remain in its original form, the 2.3-mile Goodwood circuit comes with a side order of nostalgia. As the scene of all-time-great drives by Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and more, the location is almost overwhelmingly evocative – but you’ll need every last drop of focus to negotiate the deceptively challenging six corners and chicane. Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit Presiding over the Irish Sea and in the shadows of Snowdonia, Anglesey is a cinematically stunning location, no doubt explaining the repeat business from car magazines and motoring TV shows (Chris Harris of Top Gear memorably called it a “playground for cars”). A one-time army training camp, the track opened for business in 1989 and was refreshed in 2007 as a state-of-the-art 2.1-mile circuit that’s fast, smooth and challenging. Isle of Man TT Mountain Course From May 28th, the world’s greatest bikers will take on the 37-mile route that slices through the island nation’s public streets and rural stretches. Either side of the TT event, however, the Mountain Course is yours to enjoy, starting at the Grandstand (where daring drivers can clock 100mph), around the notorious Gooseneck, and often with stunning views of the Irish Sea.     Cadwell Park Now approaching its 90th anniversary, Cadwell is nicknamed the ‘mini-Nürburgring’ for its twisty and undulating Woodland section, not to mention the notorious Mountain jump that sees bikers leave the asphalt and hang in the air for seconds on end. With track days running throughout summer, it’s a great connoisseurs choice. Santa Pod Formerly a WWII air base, Santa Pod has blazed a reputation in modern times as ground zero for the UK and Europe’s drag racing scene. It’s the ultimate location to test your launch control and acceleration over the 1/4 and 1/8 mile, although as the host of 80-plus events, you’ll need to book early for the Run What Ya Brung and Drift What Ya Brung public track days.      Oulton Park Home of the British Touring Car Championships, British Superbike Championship and British F3/GT, Oulton Park follows the natural contours of the Cheshire countryside and is all the more challenging for it – drive this hard-surfaced 2.69-mile track and you’ll negotiate everything from shifting gradients to blind crests, not to mention the treacherous Knickerbrook Corner. Silverstone GP A no-brainer, admittedly – but as the national treasure location for the British Grand Prix (an event it first hosted in 1948), every motoring enthusiast should get the chance to drive that fabled track at least once in their life. Silverstone might be iconic, but don’t be overawed – you’ll need your wits about you for the Maggotts and Copse corners that have felled many a professional. Millbrook Proving Ground Arguably Europe’s greatest vehicle testing centre – and certainly one of the largest, at 700 acres – Millbrook is generally closed to the public while the car sector’s manufacturers put their works-in-progress through their paces. There’s a back door for enthusiasts, however, with the Total Car Control and Dynamic Driving Masterclasses pairing you with a pro driver/instructor to find out what your vehicle is really capable of. Then cool your tyres with Windrush classic car storage Pushing your vehicle to the limit is an undeniable thrill, but after going to extremes, it’s even more important to wind down the right way afterwards. When your tyres cool, come to Windrush long term car storage in London or the Cotswolds. We’ll listen to your needs, then create a bespoke car storage programme that works for you. From the pace-setting twelve-step induction process that greets you, to the rolling maintenance programme for long term car storage clients, we’ll keep your car primed for action and ready to beat your lap speed record. Windrush would love to tell you more about our classic car storage solutions. Get in touch on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • five-foodie-road-trips-main-original-1657527026
    1 Minute Read

    Five Foodie Road Trips

    Read Article
    Fuelling up is one of the great joys of motoring. Next time you find yourself with a lazy Sunday, check your vehicle out of Windrush classic car storage and hit the road for the best sights and sustenance the UK has to offer. Here are five of the best foodie road trips taken recently by our long term car storage team. Let us know if we’re missing anything on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk The Yorkshire Fish & Chip Trail The North is rightly proud of its chippy credentials, and the tourist board’s canny Fish & Chip Trail map hits up local heroes like Scotts in Helmsley (recently voted fish and chip shop of the year), Blakeley’s in Brighouse and Whitby’s hard-to-miss Magpie Café. Find a seat with views of the twinkling waterfront before you open your box and life doesn’t get much better.    The West Scotland Whisky Trail Travel with a co-pilot to take full advantage of this winding westerly coastal route from Campbeltown to the Isle of Skye and Fort William. From the smoky Islay malts that light a fire in your throat to the decade-aged golden swirls of the Talisker Distillery, Scotland’s finest drams await. The South East’s Café To Café Run One breakfast good, two breakfasts better. Start your café-to-café run at Jenner’s in Maidenhead – an acclaimed family riverside eatery also known for its car meets – then cross the Thames on the A4, skim past stately Cliveden House and head for the mods ‘n’ rockers mecca that is the Ace Café. The Yorkshire Ale Trail Once again entrusting the wheel to a friend, follow the Yorkshire Ale Trail map that threads through the county’s best pubs, breweries and beer festivals. If hitting the full 30-plus ale locations is a little too much of a commitment, at least make time to sup at local legends like the West Riding Refreshment Rooms (situated in the original 1848 Tudor waiting rooms of Dewsbury train station) and Ripon’s Royal Oak (a repurposed 18th century coaching inn).      The Dorset Coast Stick a pin in the Jurassic coast and you can’t go wrong for food: the whole region understandably has some of the UK’s freshest seafood and a new generation of chefs doing exciting things with it. But be sure to draw a circle around Lyme Regis, in particular, where The Whole Hog is leading a gang of local street food merchants beating the restaurateurs at their own game. Then come home to Windrush classic car storage Every great road trip should end with the perfect car storage procedure. At Windrush, we treat our clients’ vehicles with the same care and attention we would our own. Pull into our luxury car storage in London and the Cotswolds, and you’ll feel the Windrush difference immediately, as we get started with the renowned twelve-step induction that beds your car down the right way. And that’s just the start of our long term car storage solution. However long you’re staying with us, we’ll keep your vehicle primed and ready to roll, with a made-to-measure maintenance programme that factors in everything from tyre pressure to fuelling. At Windrush, that’s just how we do it. Windrush’s classic car storage team is ready to tell you more. Drop us a line on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
  • the-worlds-best-ice-drives-main-original-1670303080.jpeg?w=1024&h=576&scale
    1 Minute Read

    The World’s Best Ice Drives

    Read Article
    When winter bites, there are two courses of action for the car enthusiast. The first is to power down your vehicle for the season, either by planning your own long term car storage solution or by turning to the professionals at Windrush. But the second option is to embrace the sub-zero conditions and embark on one of the grandest adventures that off-grid motoring has to offer. Perhaps you’ve always been intrigued by the idea of an ice drive, but didn’t know where to start. This winter, take the plunge and try one of these five frosty routes picked out by Windrush’s luxury car storage team. Pello, Finland The Finns claim to have invented ice driving, and whether that’s true or not, the Scandinavian nation certainly has some of the finest stretches. Head for Pello in Lapland, check your vehicle over at the village of Juoksenki, then follow the Arctic Circle ice road that connects the borders of Finland and Sweden. Spellbinding in its untouched beauty, the route enjoys the best driving conditions between December and April. Arjeplog, Sweden Cross the border to Swedish Lapland and you’ll find a bewitching wilderness whose centrepiece – Lake Uddjaur – is a connoisseur’s choice amongst ice drivers. There’s a number of professional rally schools operating in the area who’ll supply all the gear – right down to the thermal underwear – and equip you with the stud-tyred BMWs and Volvos in which experienced drivers can potentially top out at over 60mph. Abondance, France Mother Nature is responsible for some of Europe’s most incredible ice roads, but head to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the French Alps and you’ll be awestruck by the continent’s biggest man-made circuit. Whether you bring your own car or rent the most popular Porsche Cayman and Alpine A110 models, Abondance’s hairpins and S-bends mean you’ll need your wits about you. If you’re staying at the ski resort of the same name, fit this once-in-a-lifetime experience into your holiday itinerary at all costs. Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia Mongolian winters are perishingly cold – with temperatures routinely dropping to minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit – but you’ll find good cheer at Lake Khövsgöl in the northwest province of the same name. As the location of the annual Festival Of Ice, the ancient lake hosts myriad activities, from bone throwing to archery. But with ice as thick as 160cm, the most exciting pursuit is simply turning the key and heading for the horizon. Lake Baikal, Siberia Make no mistake, crossing this forty-mile natural skating rink in deepest Russia is not for first-timers – but if you’re a veteran ice driver seeking the ultimate challenge, Lake Baikal is the equivalent of Everest. Set in a bleakly beautiful landscape, the lake’s rough, bumpy, pitted surface – with the occasional foot-wide crevasse – means a local guide is essential, but if you make it across, you’ll have the kudos of all in the ice driving community. Warm up at Windrush classic car storage Come in out of the cold at Windrush’s long-term car storage facilities in London and the Cotswolds. We know exactly what warms the cockles of a cherished vehicle, and we pledge unbeatable attention to detail for the duration of your stay. You’ll notice the Windrush difference in our renowned twelve-step induction process, and that’s just the start of a prestige car storage service that always goes the extra mile, with ongoing maintenance and checkovers right through to the moment we hand back the keys. Rely on Windrush for luxury car storage with a warm welcome. We’re ready and waiting for your inquiry on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
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