There was plenty of high octane drama and million-pound metal on display at The Fast Car Festival, which returned to Donington Park for the second year in succession last weekend.
Major highlights included some extreme exotica from the 200mph club, including a bright orange McLaren P1 that truly wowed the crowds, while the Aston Martin Vulcan also put in a return appearance at the show, having headlined the event in 2016.
The Vulcan was driven alongside Nottingham dealership Central Lotus’ Lotus Evora GTE car set for a Le Mans entrance in 2018, with the local franchise once again being one of the event’s main supporters.
New for 2017 was the Live Stage sponsored by renowned tyre manufacturer Toyo Tires, complete with live music from well-known garage act DJ Luck and MCNeat as well as guest interviews from clubs and unveilings – including the FK2 Honda Civic Type-R and an Liberty Walk Audi R8 V10 and the Toyo Tyre Challenge, which was won on the day by Steven Hirst.
Children’s charity fundraisers Sporting Bears also supported the show, offering passenger rides in some of the world’s most sought after supercars with 100% of the donations being made to The Maria Hanson Foundation, while showgoers who wanted to take their on cherished cars on track were given the opportunity, with paid-for track time.
Supercar Driver also made their second appearance at the event, bringing along 40 of its members cars ranging from the Ferrari 458 Speciale and F12 to the brand new Mercedes AMG GTR. Members took part in a collective parade session on track before two full track sessions to wow the crowds with exactly what these can do.
Making its debut at the show was Synchro Motorsport’s endurance FK2 Honda Civic Type-R, part of the Motorsport Paddock. Made up of volunteers from Honda Manufacturing UK, the car is comprised of 85% of the standard parts you’d find on a road-going FK2. The team took to the Toyo Tyres Stage for a live interview bringing with them the custom built FK2 Type R wagon and the brand new FK8 Civic Type R for visitors to admire as they spoke.
Event organisers Kelsey Media also put on a fine show, with feature cars from their portfolio of titles including Fast Car, Banzai, Performance BMW, Performance Vauxhall, Classic Ford, Retro Japanese, MG Enthusiasts and Jaguar World.
The ever popular Show & Shine, sponsored by ValetPRO, was won this year by a red Toyota Glanza, while the best club stand, sponsored by audio experts VIBE and Ground Zero went to LN Customs.
Also popular was the Retail Village, with products from major brands including Hardrace (official chassis partner), BC Forged Wheels (official wheel partner), KSport (official brake partner), Goodridge (the official brake hose partner) , BC Racing (official suspension partner) and SamcoSport official hose partner.
More live action took part in the pits, with Harper Adams University Motorsport Club doing a “Live Build” of its Tomcat Rally Land Rover Defender. The club is made up of students from the University who have an interest in Motorsport.
Event Director Phil Weeden said: “Yet again, The Fast Car Festival brought together some of the finest and most exotic performance cars from all over the world, both old and new, in a high octane, adrenaline pumping live arena. It’s a unique event, and one that truly shows how the passion and enthusiasm for such vehicles is as strong as ever.”
