British holiday information

The first event of Brands Hatch’s busy 2012 season takes place this Sunday (22 January) with the Chelmsford Motor Club set to return to the Kent circuit with the TRS (Essex) Ltd Brands Hatch Stage Rally after a success inaugural event last year.

Stage rallying is an event rarely seen in the south east and the natural amphitheatre surrounding the Brands Hatch Indy circuit makes it the perfect venue to catch all of the action of this spectacular sport. Rallying also lends itself well to the winter weather, with cars and drivers equipped to deal with changing surfaces and conditions.

The rally will be bigger than last year’s event and the eight stages, utilising areas of the Indy circuit, paddock, access roads and rally stages, have been increased in length. Starting at 9:45am, the later stages will also run into darkness, with the cars distinguished by blazing headlights, flaming exhausts and glowing brake discs.

More than 90 cars are registered to enter, from hatchbacks to purpose-built rally cars, there are also Ferrari and Aston Martin supercars featured on what will be a superb event.

More information:

Tickets for the TRS (Essex) Ltd Brands Hatch Stage Rally on 22 January are available in advance for £10 until midday Wednesday.

There’s free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.

This weekend (10-11 September 2011) the Aston Martin Owners’ Club holds a landmark meeting at Snetterton.

The club has been established for 75 years and held the very first meeting at Snetterton in 1951, making it 60 years since racing engines were first heard at the Norfolk circuit. Motorsport artist and circuit historian Andrew Kitson guides us through the years:

Motor racing was a popular pastime in the immediate post-war period, with an abundance of circuits made up from the access roads of airfields that were now surplus to requirements. The Eastern Counties Motor Club (ECMC) originally used Fersfield for racing activities but after they could no longer use this facility, they started looking for another airfield where they could organise race meetings. ECMC members Oliver Sear and John Wyatt were the driving force and approached Fred Riches, owner of farmland at Snetterton, just 7 miles away. Snetterton Heath had been home to the US Army 8th Airforce during the war.

Cars line up for the first ever Snetterton event. Image courtesy of AMOC

Oliver Sear was also a member of the Aston Martin Owners Club and he invited the club to organise the first meeting. The airfield perimeter road made a fast and flowing 2.7 mile circuit and on October 27th 1951 racing started. The president of AMOC, Dudley Coram, was clerk of the course and corners were named after him, Fred Riches and Oliver Sear.

That first event was a sprint race meeting and the fastest time of the day went to Ken Wharton in a pre-war 2-litre ERA, at 82mph. The Eastern Counties Motor Club organised the next meeting in April 1952, where Archie Scott Brown scored his first race win in his MG TD. He became a legend at Snetterton, particularly his performances at the wheel of a Lister Jaguar and there is a permanent memorial to him in the paddock.

The circuit grew in stature and the crowds flocked in throughout the 1950s, 60s and beyond to watch their heros, such as Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Jackie Stewart and Jochen Rindt. F1 and F2 races drew huge crowds, in the days when Grand Prix stars could enter other events away from the World Championship. Motorcycle racing first came to the circuit in 1953 and remains an important part of the calendar, whilst Drag racing and Rallycross also took place at Snetterton in the ’70s.

Snetterton became and remains an important circuit in the UK, and a circuit also favoured by many manufacturers and teams to test cars. In 1967, the most successful Grand Prix engine of all time, the Ford-Cosworth DFV, was tested by Graham Hill in the new Lotus 49, ahead of its winning debut.

The world’s first racing school was based at the circuit from 1957, started by Jim Russell, and the world famous Formula Ford Festival also started at Snetterton in 1972 before moving to Brands Hatch. Night racing came to Snetterton with the Autosport 3-hour race, the European Touring Car Championship and the Avon Tour of Britain, and Britain’s first round-the-clock race was held in 1980, the Willhire 24 Hour, starting a tradition that continues to this day. Night races were also revived by the British Touring Car Championship in the late 1990s.

Snetterton in 2011

Two cars from Snetterton’s long history will be present at Snetterton on Saturday: Archie Scott Brown’s MG TD from that second meeting and the winning Ford Sierra Cosworth from the 1989 Willhire race, which celebrated the sponsor’s 25 years by being extended by an hour – the longest ever race to be held in the UK.

There will also be appearances from special guests and relatives of those who were key to the early years, including Leslie Marr, winner of ‘best Aston’ at the first ever meeting, and Jack Sears. The transformed circuit will be used in both 300 and 200 layouts over the weekend, both providing great entertainment with fantastic viewing opportunities from the new spectator banking. These improvements ensure that Snetterton is ready for the next 60 years.

Tickets for the Aston Martin Owners’ Club 300/200 weekend are available on the gate for £13 per day, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.snetterton.co.uk

The 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) get underway in the Isle of Man today, Friday, 9 September, following yesterday’s spectacular opening ceremony which saw His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex – the vice patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation – officially opening the Games.

This is the first time the Isle of Man has hosted the CYG, which run until 13 September, and sees athletes from 63 nations compete in seven sporting events:

• Athletics
• Badminton
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Gymnastics
• Rugby 7’s
• Swimming

For more information on the Commonwealth Youth Games visit : www.cyg2011.com/

Tickets for the 2012 Paralympics go on sale today using the same ticket application process that applied to the 2012 London Olympic tickets: applicants apply for tickets to events they wish to see and if the events are oversubscribed, a balloting process will take place.

The application process begins at 9am today, 9 September 2011, and ends at 6pm on 26 September. Tickets are not being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, so as long as your application is received by 6pm on 26 September you stand a chance of getting tickets.

The full Paralympic Games schedule is available here: www.tickets.london2012.com/schedule.html#fullschedule

Be aware that applications for tickets must be made through official 2012 ticket channels and there are many bogus sites offering tickets. If you have any doubts over the validity of the site you are using, check the official 2012 London Olympic site – there’s a list of known unofficial sites there and a website checker too – available here: www.london2012.com/about-this-website/ticketing-website-checker.php

This wonderfully vibrant and modern city is Scotland’s capital and a very popular place for taking a weekend break for a reason.  With its feet firmly planted in ancient roots, it has modern trendy bars, exciting nightlife, history aplenty, and many interesting attractions to offer any visitor here.

Edinburgh is full of interesting places to stay.  Many hotels are housed in historical buildings with wonderful architecture, and there are also guest houses and modern hotels to choose from.

Of course one of the biggest attractions in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle perched up on the crag looking down over the city.  This impressive castle houses the National War Museum as well as the Stone of Destiny and is well worth a visit during your stay.

Across the Old and New Town areas of Edinburgh there are over 4,500 listed buildings including some really interesting architecture.  One historical place that makes for an interesting visit during your stay is the Edinburgh Vaults where you can see houses and businesses that existed back in the 18th Century and get a glimpse of Edinburgh as it used to be.

There are lots of open spaces in Edinburgh, and none more so that Corstophine hill which is home to the famous Edinburgh Zoo. Here you can see over 1000 rare and endangered animals as well as enjoying the 82 acres of parkland that slope down towards the city.

A little shopping rounds off most weekend breaks nicely, and there’s plenty on offer here as you might expect.  Princes Street has many well known shops as well as some quite exclusive ones you won’t find anywhere else, and there’s lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants here too if you want to take a break and have a drink or a meal.

Edinburgh has a good local bus service, and you can purchase a DayTicket from Lothian buses which gives you unlimited travel through the day in and around Edinburgh.  First Buses also offer a wide range of services here too.  If you’d like to see a little of the city with ease, then an Edinburgh bus tour may be right for you.  City bus tours begin from Waverly Bridge and tour round the city showing you the sights and pointing out some of the more famous places locally.

If you time your weekend trip right, you could enjoy one of the many festivals that take place in Edinburgh through out the year.  Everything from films to comedy to fatherhood is celebrated here, so it’s worth checking out the festivals calendar before you book your trip.

There’s just three weeks to go until the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship reaches a crucial part of the season at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park, which hosts the Title Fighter decider on August Bank Holiday weekend (27-29 August).

Cadwell Park is traditionally one of the biggest events on the BSB calendar and fans from across the country flock to the circuit to witness the spectacular sight of airborne Superbikes over the famous Mountain section of the track. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Only the top six in the championship standings after Cadwell Park will be eligible to compete in the title Showdown that takes place over the final three rounds. Three riders have already made it through following the Brands Hatch event – including Shane Byrne from the Louth-based HM Plant Honda team, American John Hopkins and Tommy Hill. However, eight other riders are still in contention for the remaining three spots: Michael Laverty, Josh Brookes, reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, Michael Rutter, Gary Mason, Jon Kirkham, Peter Hickman and Chris Walker.

The stakes will be higher than ever at Cadwell Park, particularly now it will feature a triple header of races (one on the Sunday and two on Bank Holiday Monday) following the postponement of Oulton Park’s second race last month, leaving 75 points up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Byrne, Hopkins and Hill will be pushing hard to score top three places and earn podium credits that will give them a vital advantage when the three-round title Showdown commences at Donington Park in September.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings ahead of Cadwell Park:

1. Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 255 (THROUGH TO SHOWDOWN)
2. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 231 (THROUGH TO SHOWDOWN)
3. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 210 (THROUGH TO SHOWDOWN)
4. Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 163
5. Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 146
6. Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 135

7. Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) 130
8. Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 115
9. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 112
10. Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) 98

Ticket information:

Weekend admission tickets for all three days are available online in advance for £30 – children aged 12 and under free.

Weekend camping is £20 per person – only a handful of places are remaining.

Bookings can be made at www.cadwellpark.co.uk or by calling 0843 453 9000.

An exclusive preview exhibition celebrating the upcoming 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games has opened at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport.

Among eleven sculptures on display are lifesize wireframe studies of Olympic diver Tom Daley, and sprinter Jason Gardener. There are also eight bronze maquettes of athletes by artists including Paul Day, John Buckley, Hamish Black, Judy Boyt, Steve Dilworth, Jilly Sutton, Alan Dun and Suzie Zamit.

‘Sculpture and Sport: A Celebration For 2012′ comprises feature pieces from a collection of 30 life-size works, specially commissioned by Art At The Edge and created by established British sculptors.

The pieces, each of which interprets a different Olympic or Paralympic sport, will be on display in Terminal 5 Departures until September 30th as part of the airport’s expo programme.

In 2012, the entire collection will be displayed in galleries and public spaces across the country, including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and as a city-wide sculpture trail in the City of Bath. During the Games themselves the collection of bronzes will be exhibited at the Oxo Tower Gallery on London’s Southbank.

If you loved watching the Tour de France on the television recently, get yourself down to Surrey this Sunday, 14 August 2011, for the London – Surrey Cycle Classic.

The London – Surrey Cycle Classic is a London 2012 test event and will follow the same route as the London 2012 Cycling Road Race.

Among the competitors due to take part is Manx Missile, Mark Cavendish, fresh from his Green Jersey success in the Tour de France.

The race starts and finishes on The Mall in London – starts at 9:00 and is due to finish at 12:10.

Riders will pass through Fulham, Putney, Richmond Park, Richmond, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Palace, Walton-onThames, Ripley Village, Gomshall, Westcott, Dorking, Box Hill, Esher, Kingston upon Thames.

Twenty-eight teams of five riders will take part in the 140km event.

If you plan to go to the event, be aware that some road closures will be in place from as early as 04:00 and many roads may not re-open until around 15:00. Also, watch out at Box Hill, which is very hilly and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with restricted areas.

For more information, including the race schedule, timings, start list visit http://www.londonpreparesseries.com/roadcycling/index.html

Red Arrows

The Southport Air Show gets underway on Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 July.

Making an appearance at the 20th anniversary of the show will be a selection of aircraft including: military, heritage and civilian aircraft, plus there’s also the fantastic Red Arrows and a rare opportunity to witness the last flying Vulcan Bomber – Saturday only.

I recently saw a flight display by the last flying Vulcan Bomber, which was amazing and it’s something I’d recommend to aviation enthusiasts – unfortunately, I’d didn’t have my camera with me.

Also on offer to visitors to the air show is the Air Show Village with lots of family entertainment including mountain bike stunts, water walkers, quad bikes, tiny tanks, military vehicles, Lego model aircraft and the ‘So you think you can design a Jet Engine’ project.

The air show opens at 9am until around 5pm.

The Vulcan Bomber will be at the show on Saturday only and the Red Arrows will be performing at 5:15pm on Saturday and 2:00pm on Sunday.

Tickets

• In advance: Tickets cost £7 in advance cost £7 and can be purchased at this price up to July 20.
• On the day: entry is £9 with parking an extra £5.

Children under 5 are free on both days.

For more information on the Southport Air Show, or to book tickets, go to www.southportairshow.com or call 01704 540011.

Britain’s biggest independent group of hotels has launched a national campaign encouraging free Internet for everyone, after revealing it could save British businesses a massive £1.4billion a year in charges.

Best Western offers free Internet to all guests staying at any of over 270 hotels across Great Britain – saving them more than £28million annually and now wants others to do exactly the same to help the British economy.

After studying the latest figures released by acclaimed industry market research organisation BDRC, Best Western believes that if all major hotel groups offered free Internet it could save businesses an incredible £1,431,000,000 in the UK every year.

The astonishing figure is based on BDRC statistics which show there were 106 million room nights for business travellers in the UK during 2010, with an average hotel Internet charge of £13.50 per visit.

The average frequent business customer stays away at UK hotels 11 times per year. According to the same BDRC statistics, meaning an average saving to each business person of £197.89 per year.

Now Best Western has launched an online campaign to add further weight to their cause www.bestwestern.co.uk/freeinternet where they are inviting others to sign up in support of free Internet for everyone.

Tim Wade, Head of Marketing at Best Western, said: “At Best Western we already offer free Internet as standard for all our guests. Based on the average cost of £13.50 for per-visit use of hotel Internet during hotels stays, we calculate we are saving each guest almost £200 and overall our guests are saving a substantial £28 million every year.”