SUMMER’S NEWEST MOTORSPORT EVENT ‘FIRLE BEACON’ REVS UP AHEAD OF JULY LAUNCH
SUMMER’S NEWEST MOTORSPORT EVENT ‘FIRLE BEACON’ REVS UP AHEAD OF JULY LAUNCH
- A new high-octane motorsport event launches this July with a first-of-its-kind offering for car enthusiasts spanning Rally, Sprint and Supercar demonstrations and displays.
- It’s the only motorsport event in the UK that allows spectators to watch the courses up close, along with three paddocks of extraordinary vehicles open for the public to meet and greet drivers without restrictions.
- Set in the stunning hills of the South Downs National Park at the historic Firle Estate for the very first time.
- Tickets on sale now at firlebeacon.com. Prices from £42 for adults; £24 for children; under 5s go free.
- Images available to view and download here.
Motorsport gets a modern new entry this summer with the launch of Firle Beacon, a brand-new event set in the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, packed with Rally, Sprint and Supercar demonstrations and displays. The event goes back to racing’s grassroots as ticket holders can watch all of the action safely up close, as cars take on two unique, challenging courses to be crowned the fastest time, and a refreshing ‘access all areas’ approach for the public to meet and greet the drivers over the two-day event, 30 & 31 July 2022.
The exhilarating line-up includes three classes spanning Supercars, Retro and Rally cars as follows:
SUPERCAR PADDOCK & DEMONSTRATION
The Supercar Paddock featuring over 60 Supercars will be set against the sweeping vista that is the historic Firle Estate – an outstanding country house in Sussex that dates from the time of Henry VII and owned by the Gage family, who are proud to reinvigorate the Estate’s motorsport history with the creation of Firle Beacon.
The very best of modern supercars will be displayed, including alternative power models, and demonstrated over a sprint course at 30 second internals, utilising the Estate’s main driveway. Demonstrations will take place four times a day, on both Saturday and Sunday, offering plenty of opportunities for ticket holders to watch the action.
BO PEEP HILL CLIMB DISPLAY & DEMONSTRATION
The organisers of the historic Bo Peep hill climb traditionally run on the Firle Estate will be invited to represent the history and legacy of this iconic annual event. This year the 60th anniversary was celebrated and will be honoured with a display of 40 cars from the era and demonstrated over the same sprint course as the supercars.
RALLY CAR PADDOCK & RALLY STAGE DEMONSTRATION
The Rally class – the largest of the three classes – will celebrate 70 years of worldwide rally sport, including cars that have competed in such legendary events as Monte Carlo, East African Safari, Thousand Lakes and Britain’s own RAC Rally.
Under the patronage of the Gage family, a committee of members of the International Rally Drivers Club (IRDC) will choose a selection of cars from modern-day World Rally cars, through the omnipresent Subaru & Mitsubishi years, to the early days of the ‘Flying Finns’ in Mini Cooper, Saab and Escort.
Attention will be paid to representing two home-grown World Champions: Colin McRae and Richard Burns. The Rally Paddock will invoke the sights and ambiance of a genuine ‘rally service area.’
Meanwhile, starting at the main gate the over two-mile Rally Stage demonstration will see upwards of 100 rally cars at 30 second intervals, which will use Estate roads, then exit the park through the village, and run along the chalk road before ending with a fantastic climb up to Firle Beacon.
LOCAL HOSPITALITY
Alongside the high-octane action there will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy a quintessentially British countryside day out.
Saturday night will see classic street party entertainment in the evening at the local Ram Public House, owned by the Firle Estate.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can relax on the lawns and catch the Sprint and Rally courses on large screens, enjoy locally sourced food and drink throughout the show ground, and indulge in retail therapy on the cricket ground.
The event is the brainchild of Henry Gage of the Firle Estate, who said: “We are currently witnessing a revolution in automotive technology. So where better to see the cars of the future zoom along than on the same route as their forbears – up the stunning hills of the South Downs. Firle Park will provide the setting for a glamourous day out with delicious local foods and drink. The drive up to Firle Place will provide the space to get up close to these speed machines and see how fast they can accelerate. It’s sure to be a fresh and exciting event for the community and car enthusiasts alike.”
Book tickets now at firlebeacon.com.
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Press contact:
Email: firlebeacon@kallaway.com
Mobile: +44 786 779 4989
Follow Firle Beacon online:
Facebook: @firlebeacon
Instagram: @firlebeacon
Website: https://firlebeacon.com
Notes to Editors:
About Firle Beacon
Firle Beacon is a new motorsport event arriving in July 2022, where heritage and a passion for performance meet. Developed by the historic Firle Estate in Sussex for all motorsport enthusiasts to enjoy, Firle Beacon captures the spirit of the early automotive events dating back to the 50s, in a participatory event on a notoriously challenging two-mile course, combining the latest in technology and speed.It offers a first-of-its-kind opportunity for the public to witness everything from Rally, Sprint and Supercars take on this new challenging course.
Address:Firle, East Sussex, BN8 6LP
When: 30 – 31 July 2022
Times: 9am – 6pm daily
Saturday 30 July
- Adult (16 yrs+) - £42
- Junior (5-16 yrs) - £24
- Child (Under 5yrs) – Free entry
Sunday 31 July
- Early Bird: Adult (16 yrs+) - £42
- Early Bird: Junior (5-16 yrs) - £24
- Early Bird: Child (Under 5yrs) – Free entry
Weekend Ticket
- Early Bird: Weekend Ticket (per person) - £84
Book: https://firlebeacon.com/events/firle-beacon-2022/
How to get there:
Nestling in the foot of the South Downs near Lewes, between Brighton and Eastbourne in East Sussex, on the south coast of England. From London take the M23 and exit onto the A27 towards Eastbourne. The village of Firle is eleven miles from Brighton, four miles after Lewes.
About Henry Gage
The Firle Beacon brings together two of founder Henry Gage's life-long passions: car technology and the South Downs National Park. From as far back as he can remember, Henry has been climbing the dramatic beacon at Firle, and enjoying the views out across Firle Place, The South Downs and out to sea. A keen collector of 'soon-to-be classic' cars himself, the possibility of establishing a new motorsport event at Firle immediately appealed to Henry and his vision for this event has grown from there.
About the Firle Estate
Firle Place is an outstanding privately owned country house in Sussex that dates from the time of Henry VIII, but which was substantially remodelled during the Georgian period. Firle Place is very much a family home which provides the perfect setting to house an exemplary collection of works of art, fine furniture and porcelain of national significance.
Incorporating several villages and farms spread over rolling hills, the Firle Estate, in the heart of the magnificent South Downs National Park, is just 60 miles from London. Firle illustrates a rare cultural continuity with an unusually intact estate and a thriving rural community. Central to the atmosphere is Firle’s diverse and culturally rich community with many artists, craftsmen and local businesses. As well as magnificent walks, bike rides and country pursuits, the Estate has many places to stay, eat and drink.
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