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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
