MOTORING LEGENDS AND ICONIC SUPERCARS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE INAUGRAL FIRLE BEACON FESTIVAL
- Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and McLaren star in the festival’s debut Supercar Collection
- A celebration of 90 years of Rally in the UK – featuring a collection of Rally Champion Russell Brooks cars and British Rally Champion, Colin McRae’s iconic 1997 rally-winning Subaru Impreza WRC.
The launch of the newest, access all areas UK motorsport event - Firle Beacon – featured over 200 exceptional cars exhibiting and roaring into action against the stunning backdrop of the Sussex South Downs.
Today, the drive of Firle Place set the scene for high-octane action as cars took on courses across the Sussex country house grounds dating from the Tudor period. Taking car festivals back to their grass roots beginnings, Firle Beacon offered guests the chance to see 150 cars demonstrate at speed through the estate before taking on the climb to Firle Beacon honouring Firle’s heritage as the location of the post-World World II course.
The sheer variety of cars on show at Firle Beacon was highlighted by the fact that an almost one hundred-year-old MG Morris Oxford with a chassis and engine dating back to 1927 participated in the sprint course alongside a 2020 McLaren 720 Spider.
Ranging from a 2004 Nissan World Series, currently in RB7 Red Bull livery to the booming 5.0 V8 of a 2018 Ford/RTR Mustang, the Firle Beacon Supercar collection was super in every conceivable way. Featuring outrageous American muscle cars, historic vehicles ahead of their time, lightweight speedsters, and performance sports racers filling the paddock with sound and fury.
Visitors also witnessed some of the fastest, most powerful, and sophisticated vehicles from Retro Rallycross & Group B as part of Firle Beacon’s celebration of 90 years of rallying. British Rally Champion, Colin McRae’s iconic 1997 rally-winning Subaru Impreza WRC also exhibitedas upwards of 90+ rally cars took on a course at 30 second intervals which ended with a fantastic climb up to Firle Beacon.
A collection of genuine former NASCARs displayed and demonstrated at the event, including the 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS driven by five-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series winner, Ward Burton, a 2007 Dodge NASCAR Cup Avenger, and a 2009 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. They were joined by the 2007 Ford Fusion originally driven by NASCAR nationwide champion, Carl Edwards.
Not far away Firle Beacon’s Mini Collection featured some of the earliest Minis including Pickups as well as one of the most famous Minis to ever exist – an original 1977 British Leyland Mini 1000 driven by Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean.
On Saturday evening at the Georgian Riding School, the winners of the Firle Beacon Concours d’Elégance were presented by Corbeau Seats during a ceremony recognising outstanding cars in the BO PEEP SPRINT, SUPERCAR, and RALLY categories.
Firle Beacon founder Henry Gage, said: "Today was an incredible launch for our first ever Firle Beacon. The aim of the festival was always to make a petrolhead’s dream come true and we hope that our all-access approach has helped achieve that!"
Firle Beacon 2022
30 July – Firle Beacon Concours d’Elégance presented by Corbeau Seats
Sunday tickets can still be purchased via www.firlebeaconevent.com and at the event gates.
Press contact:
Email: firlebeacon@kallaway.com
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