SUMMER’S NEWEST MOTORSPORT EVENT ‘FIRLE BEACON’ REVS UP AHEAD OF JULY LAUNCH

Firle Beacon is a first-of-its-kind motorsport event launching this summer, 30 & 31 July 2022.

Set in the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park in Sussex, the event will be packed with Rally, Sprint and Supercar displays and demonstrations over two unique, challenging courses, access-all-areas meet and greets with the drivers and their cars up close, entertainment, food and drink.

The exhilarating line-up includes:

FOR THE PETROLHEADS

A must-ticket for any car lover, expect:

  • Three paddocks spanning 60s Supercars, 40 Retro and 100 Rally cars, open to all visitors
  • A celebration of 90 years of Rally in the UK, featuring some of the most legendary cars from across the decades including:

o   British Rally Champion, Colin McRae’s iconic 1997 rally-winning Subaru Impreza WRC

o   A special collection of cars driven by Rally Champion, Russell Brookes from the '70s, '80s and '90s – including three Mk2 Escorts, two Opel Mantas, a Sierra Cosworth, Chevette HSR, together with a Group A Astra

o   Some of the fastest, most powerful, and sophisticated vehicles from Retro Rallycross & Group B

  • See Supercars and Retro vehicles take on the Sprint course up to the historic Firle Place – including a tank!
  • Watch 100 Rally cars up close as they speed through the village before taking on the hill
  • Access-all-areas for the public to meet the drivers and cars up close
  • Displays including:

o   Minis – a collection of the earliest Minis including Pickups and Mr. Bean’s!

o   Private Collections – from Open Wheelers to Classics

o   Barn Find Rally Cars – see how rally cars really look when found prior to restoration

o   NASCAR – celebrating stock-car racing

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE RAM

Local pub The Ram’s Inn, owned by the Firle Estate, will be transformed for Saturday night entertainment. Expect DJs, drinks, and street food all free to attend after the Saturday show. 

KIDS ZONE

Bring the kids, for a fun family day out. Expect:

  • Fun Fair rides
  • Historic simulators – where you can imagine you’re driving a spectacular retro vehicle
  • Tank rides
  • Mr Bean’s Mini – one of only two originals working in the UK!

ACCESS ALL AREAS VIEWING

Those wanting to get close to the action can view the challenging Rally course from the Village. See the cars whizz round tight corners before taking on the hill – getting as close as safety will allow.

Alternatively, visitors can watch it all from the sprawling lawns on big screens, with all the action captured on drones so you can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere in this stunning location. 

LOCALLY SOURCED FOOD AND DRINK

Alongside the high-octane action there will be plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy a quintessentially British countryside day out.

Expect great value beer throughout the showground, along with locally-sourced food from our on-site catering partners. 

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

Ticket information:

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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