The best motoring events for car enthusiasts in 2019

From Sunday Scrambles to the Classic Motor Show, here are some of the biggest and best car events of the year

Silverstone Classic 2019

2019 is already turning out to be another another vintage year for car enthusiasts, with an ever-increasing number of motoring events to attend. Here, we have researched some of the UK’s biggest and best car shows and motorsport events, along with a selection of European shows within easy reach of French ports.

We’ll be adding to the list throughout 2019, so be sure to bookmark this page. Alternatively, get in touch if you fancy adding your own event to our list.

Classic Motor Show – 8-10 November

Classic Motor Show – 8-10 November

If you’re looking for a reason not to put your classic car into hibernation, this could be it. The Classic Motor Show is held at the NEC, were more than 3,000 classics are expected to go on display in an area the size of 18 football pitches.

If you’d like to see your event included in our next update, get in touch with us. Happy motoring.


The one’s you’ve missed… catch ’em in 2020!

Sunday Scramble – 6 January

Sunday Scramble – 6 January

Bicester Heritage welcomed around 5,500 car enthusiasts for the last Sunday Scramble of 2018, and the promise of good weather could tempt a similar number out of their beds for the first event of 2019. What better way to kick off the motoring new year? The Sunday Scramble will continue throughout 2019.

Haynes Breakfast Club – 6 January

Haynes Breakfast Club – 6 January

Alternatively, car fans in the South and South West might prefer to head to the Haynes Motor Museum for the first Breakfast Club of the year. The museum, which is located just off the A303 in Somerset, is home to around 400 cars, while the cafe opens at 9am on Breakfast Club Sundays. These events are free to attend and held on the first Sunday of each month.

Autosport International – 10-13 January

Autosport International – 10-13 January

Autosport International is the biggest pre-season motorsport show, bringing together racing, automotive and engineering sectors under the roof of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Highlights include a live action arena, the Silverstone Auctions Autosport sale and a celebration of 50 years of Formula 5000.

Mini Fair 2019 – 27 January

Mini Fair 2019 – 27 January

Champagne corks will be popping at the Staffordshire County Showground as the classic Mini celebrates its 60th anniversary. This is also the 20th year of MINI Fair, with thousands of people expected to attend this event organised by the British Mini Club. Highlights include a Mini Jumble, Pride of Ownership competition and club displays.

Great Western Classic Car Show – 9-10 February

Great Western Classic Car Show – 9-10 February

The Footman James Great Western Classic Car Show is the biggest event of its kind in the South West of England, with thousands of car enthusiasts converging on the Royal Bath & West Showground.

Retromobile – 6-10 February

Retromobile – 6-10 February

Retromobile is held in the largest and most prestigious hall at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, Paris, a location befitting an event of this stature. This year, highlights include a celebration of 100 years of Citroen and 45 years of the Peugeot Renault Volvo (PRV) V6 engine.

London Classic Car Show – 14-17 February

London Classic Car Show – 14-17 February

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s director of design, will receive The London Classic Car Show Icon Award 2019 at this year’s event, where you’ll also see a tribute to The Italian Job film, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. The London Classic Car Show is held at Excel London from Valentine’s Day.

Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show – 19-24 February

Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show – 19-24 February

The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show is the largest showcase of motorhomes, campervans, caravans, caravan holidays and lodges in the UK. The latest 2019 touring caravans and motorhomes will be on display, along with a new-for-2019 Camping Zone. Head to Birmingham’s NEC if caravans float your boat.

Race Retro – 22-24 February

Race Retro – 22-24 February

At the end of February, all motorsport roads will lead to Stoneleigh Park for the Race Retro international historic motorsport show. Highlights include a live rally stage, ‘arrive and drive a classic car’, Pride of the Paddock and a Silverstone Auctions sale.

Practical Classics Restoration Show – 22-24 March

Practical Classics Restoration Show – 22-24 March

Last year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show attracted around 28,000 visitors across three days, with 150 car clubs also in attendance. Highlights include the UK’s biggest ‘barn-find’ display, the Practical Classics Live Stage, the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition and an autojumble. Head to the NEC at the end of March.

Britcar, Silverstone – 30 March

Britcar, Silverstone – 30 March

The Britcar Endurance Championship gets underway at Silverstone on 30 March, with further races at Brands Hatch, Donington, Oulton Park and Snetterton. At the time of writing, the dates remain provisional, so be sure to check the Britcar website for more details.

BTCC, Brands Hatch – 6-7 April

BTCC, Brands Hatch – 6-7 April

Brands Hatch will host the curtain-raiser of the 2019 British Touring Car Championship in April, before the BTCC juggernaut heads to Donington Park at the end of the month, Thruxton in May, Croft and Oulton Park in June, Snetterton and Thruxton in August, Knockhill and Silverstone in September, before culminating at Brands Hatch in October.

Techno-Classica Essen – 10-14 April

Techno-Classica Essen – 10-14 April

Techno-Classica Essen is a European classic car show with a global reputation, with around 1,250 exhibitors from 30 countries. In 2018, the event attracted 188,000 visitors from 41 different nations. Essen is a four- to five-hour drive from Calais.

The Easter Motor Show at Weston Park – 21-22 April

Amazing cars of the Goodwood Revival car park

Happy Easter! If you’re trying to escape Easter Egg temptation, why not get along to Weston Park in Staffordshire for The Easter Motor Show, a new classic vehicle event. The organisers are promising plenty of cars plus trade stalls, a craft tent, a special classic commercial theme – and even some contemporary cars from invited modern vehicle dealerships. Adults tickets cost £10, kids aged 4-16 are £5, and a family ticket is £25.

Donington Historic Festival – 3-5 May

Donington Historic Festival – 3-5 May

At the time of writing, the timetable for the 2019 Donington Historic Festival hasn’t been announced, but if previous events are anything to go by, this is a must-visit event for fans of historic motorsport. ‘Early bird’ tickets are available until the end of January.

Gaydon Land Rover Show – 11-12 May

Gaydon Land Rover Show - 11-12 May

Hundreds of Land Rovers will be on display at the Gaydon Land Rover Show in May. Owners can enter their vehicle for just £7, giving entry to display the Land Rover, as well as admitting the driver and one passenger to enter the show for the weekend. The event is held at the British Motor Museum, which is five minutes from junction 12 of the M40.

Beaulieu Spring Autojumble – 18-19 May

Beaulieu Spring Autojumble

The Beaulieu Spring Autojumble is 25 years old in 2019. To celebrate, organisers are encouraging all jumblers to decorate their stands in a silver theme – and as over 1,000 stands are expected, it should be quite the spectacle. The fast-growing Land Rover Rummage is another highlight of the Spring Autojumble: bargain-hunting starts at 10am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry – 1-2 June

Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry– 1-2 June

Formerly known as the Coventry MotoFest, the Power Maxed MotoFest Coventry is ‘a unique blend of motorsport demonstrations, static displays, live music and anything else with a connection to Coventry and transport’. The organisers are hoping to make it the ‘Edinburgh Festival of motoring’. Nice.

Goodwood Breakfast Club: Supercar Sunday – 2 June

Goodwood Breakfast Club Supercar Sunday

The latest FREE TO ATTEND Goodwood Breakfast Club is celebrating all things supercars – and Motoring Research will be there, in a bright blue brand new Audi R8 V10. Look out for our logo and come along to say hello!

Classic & Performance Car Spectacular – 1-2 June

Classic & Performance Car Spectacular – 1-2 June

Tatton Park, Cheshire, is the venue for the Classic & Performance Car Spectacular on 1 and 2 June. Around 2,000 cars will be on display, along with 250 stalls and 90+ clubs. If you miss this one, Tatton Park will also play host to a Classic American show in July and a ‘Passion for Power’ show in August.

The Isle of Man TT – 1-7 June

The Isle of Man TT– 1-7 June

The fastest road race on the planet gets underway on Saturday 1 June, although qualifying begins on Saturday 25 May. All eyes will be on the Isle of Man as the world’s bravest riders test their mettle on the formidable 37.73-mile course.

London Concours – 5-6 June

London Concours

Billed as the ‘ultimate automotive summer garden party’ London Concours takes place at the Honourable Artillery Company, in the heart of the city. More than 100 high-end classics and supercars were on show last year, from American muscle to a McLaren F1. Tickets for the 2019 event are on sale now, priced from £35.

Le Mans 24 Hours – 15-16 June

Le Mans 24 Hours – 15-16 June

The 87th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will take place on 15-16 June, and for the first time ever, the event will mark the end of the World Endurance Championship. Qualifying begins on 12 June and Le Mans is located less than three hours from the ferry terminals at Cherbourg, St-Malo and Le Havre.

MG Live – 15-16 June CANCELLED

MG Live – 15-16 June

Sorry, MG fans – the popular MG Live event has been CANCELLED this year, due to resurfacing work at the Silverstone circuit. The organisers are bitterly disappointed but hope the event can return in a new guise next year.

Bromley Pageant – 23 June

Bromley Pageant – 23 June

The Bromley Pageant is one of the world’s largest one-day classic car shows, with more than 3,000 vehicles expected to be on display in Kent. Highlights include an autojumble, trade village and a chance to meet Jimmy de Ville of Goblin Works Garage and Fifth Gear fame.

Goodwood Festival of Speed – 4-7 July

Goodwood Festival of Speed – 4-7 July

In 1993, Lord March hosted a hillclimb in the grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex and created the Festival of Speed. It has grown to become one of the world’s biggest and most famous motoring events, but the hillclimb remains central to its success.

Motoring Research is there all weekend… we have already checked out the performance car park and looked at the new cars being showcased at the 2019 Festival of Speed… check out our other Goodwood news throughout the weekend!

BMC and Leyland Show – 7 July

BMC and Leyland Show – 7 July

In stark contrast to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, this is a show celebrating the vehicles produced by BMC, British Leyland and Rover Group. Convoys will run from the BMW Mini plant in Cowley and MG Longbridge, while the event will celebrate 60 years of Farina. Head to the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, if BL is your thing.

Japfest – 13 July

Japfest – 5 May and 13 July

Fans of Japanese cars have two Japfest events to choose from – the Silverstone was in May, and the Donington round runs in July. Highlights include the Japfest Sprint Test, club displays and track time.

British Grand Prix – 12-14 July

British Grand Prix – 12-14 July

With no deal in place beyond 2019, this could be the last time Silverstone hosts the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. In 2018, the British GP had the highest attendance of any race on the F1 calendar – will Silverstone’s fate be sealed before Lewis Hamilton and co. return to Northamptonshire?

Festival of the Unexceptional – 20 July

Festival of the Unexceptional – 20 July

For 2019, the Festival of the Unexceptional will move to the Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire, where everything from Marinas to Metros and Chevettes to Corollas will line up to compete in the Concours de l’Ordinaire. The event is open to classic cars and light commercial vehicles built between 1966 and 1996.

Silverstone Classic – 26-28 July

Silverstone Classic – 26-28 July

To some people, this is one of the highlights of the motoring calendar – a three-day, non-stop historic motoring racing extravaganza. Once in, there’s free access to the paddocks and grandstands, with displays from more than 100 car clubs featuring more than 10,000 classic cars (with more than 100,000 visitors expected over the weekend). Celebrations this year include 50 years of the Ford Capri and 60 years of the Mini.

Silverstone Classic 2019
Silverstone Classic 2019

Top racers will be in attendance too, including three-time BTCC champion Colin Turkington (pictured above), who’ll be driving an ex-Steve Soper BMW M3 racer. Other headline races include pre-66 touring cars, FIA Masters historic Formula One and a massive 60-car grid full of classic Mini racers.

CarFest North – 26-28 July

CarFest North – 26-28 July

CarFest North takes place at Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire, where you can expect to find the usual mix of music, cars and family fun. BBC Children in Need will receive 50 percent of the total profits, with a number of other charities also benefiting from the proceeds.

Classics on the Common – July

Classics on the Common – July

For one Wednesday every July, Harpenden is invaded by classic cars as it plays host to the UK’s largest weekday car show. Classics on the Common takes place on our doorstep, so we’ll be there to bring you the most interesting cars from the event. Come and say hello.

Ford Fair – 4 August

Ford Fair – 4 August

Ford Fair is Europe’s biggest Ford event, with around 4,000 cars and 18,000 guests expected to flood Silverstone. You can expect the usual mix of showroom-quality vehicles, sprint tests and track time.

Ultimate Street Car – 9-11 August

Ultimate Street Car – 9-11 August

Ultimate Street Car (USC) at Santa Pod Raceway is the ‘largest, loudest, hottest and fastest modified car festival in Europe’. Expect drifting, stunt displays, drag racing, music and tyre smoke. Lots of tyre smoke.

CarFest South – 23-25 August

CarFest South – 23-25 August

CarFest South is like CarFest North, just further south. So, you can expect more of the same, only this time at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire, at the end of August.

Salon Privé – 5-8 September

Salon Privé – 5-8 September

Salon Privé is a motoring event for fans of superlatives. ‘The most luxurious of garden parties set against the backdrop of Britain’s greatest palace (Blenheim Palace). Presenting the finest collection of supercars, hypercars and classic cars, along with a luxury retail village and exquisite cuisine, it is a truly unique experience’. Tickets are priced accordingly…

Concours of Elegance – 6-8 September

Concours of Elegance – 6-8 September

The Concours of Elegance 2019 will take place at Hampton Court Palace in September, with 60 of the finest cars ever built lining up in the Fountain Gardens. A number of car manufacturers will be attendance, including Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Geely.

Beaulieu International Autojumble – 7-8 September

Beaulieu International Autojumble – 7-8 September

If rummaging for oily car parts is your idea of a dirty weekend, the International Autojumble is the event for you. Some 2,000 stands are expected to fill the grounds of the Beaulieu Motor Museum, making it the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic.

Goodwood Revival – 13-15 September

Goodwood Revival – 13-15 September

Step back in time at the Goodwood Revival. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period clothing at this event celebrating the golden era of motorsport. Tickets are available now and you’re advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Wales Rally GB – 3-6 October

Wales Rally GB – 3-6 October

The 12th round of the FIA World Rally Championship drops in on Wales in October. Wales Rally GB takes place over four days of competition and each day is divided into a number of ‘Special Stages’.

Truckfest – 5-6 October

Truckfest – 5-6 October

The TruckFest calendar draws to a close at the Newark and Notts Showground in October, but there are seven other opportunities to get your trucking fix. The TruckFest year kicks off at the East of England showground in May, before rolling into Wolsingham, Malvern, Edinburgh, Kent, Shepton Mallet and Knutsford.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – 3 November

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – 3 November

In 2018, 400 pioneering veteran cars gathered in Hyde Park for the start of the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. In total, nearly 90 percent of the starters made it to Brighton before the 4.30pm deadline to claim a finishers’ medal. How many will make it in 2019?

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttp://www.petrolblog.com
Writer with a penchant for #FrenchTat. Owns 15 vehicles of varying degrees of terribleness. Also doing a passable impression of Cousin Eddie in an Italian-German beige motorhome. Doesn't get out much.

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