American Speedfest IV

On Sunday we treated the kids to a day out at Brands Hatch for the amazing American Speedfest IV. We went to this event a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it and have been itching to go back since. Unfortunately due to it always clashing with a football event we have not been able to go. So with this Sunday just gone free, I obviously jumped at the chance to get tickets.

 

During the drive up there we had glorious sunshine and had dressed appropriately in shorts and t-shirt (with no coats). By the time we got there it was pretty much drizzling with rain and didn't stop for about 2 hours (good planning - NOT!). Knowing how busy it would be and how big some of the queues would be, we made a beeline for the Red Dragon Monster Truck Ride. We had about a half an hour wait in the rain but eventually our turn came. Amazingly when we got to the front Joshua decided he didn't want to ride on it despite normally being a thrill seeker. Even more amazing was that Holly was tall enough to ride the Monster Truck so me, Brandon and Holly went on there and had an absolute blast tearing up the track and driving over crushed cars.

 

The whole day was just amazing and thankfully the weather perked up around lunchtime. We enjoyed sitting down and watching a few races, we watched some drifting displays, saw lots of American muscle cars and movie cars, had some fairground rides and so on. Brandon is such a petrol head and was absolutely in his element. He took his own digital camera and was literally running from one car to the next taking pictures and video of the actual racing. At the end of the day all three kids bought themselves a souvenir NASCAR toy to remember the day and Joshua took his in to school today for show and tell.

 

Arrival at a cold and wet Brands Hatch in shorts and t-shirts. Luckily we had umbrellas.

Near the entrance I saw this amazing looking beast which looks like something off of Mad Max.

Joshua loved this van which was airbrushed with Captain Jack Sparrow.

I was happy as there were 3 or 4 General Lee's at the event. If only I could win the lottery.

Joshua and Brandon waiting for our turn on Red Dragon, before Joshua decided he no longer wanted too.

 

 



The Red Dragon is so high off the ground you need a ladder to climb up in to the back.

Me, Holly and B strapped in and ready to crush some cars. Brandon wearing headphones due to the noise of the engine.

Off we go tearing up the track.

I think we satisfactorily crushed those cars!!!!

As you can see the wheels alone are nearly as tall as me!

Loved this General Lee themed hot rod which was for sale for £35k.

Brandon having a Gran Turismo NASCAR race whilst sitting in a NASCAR.

Holly jumped in the NASCAR and was sitting there turning the steering wheel.

Surprisingly Joshua beat Brandon's lap time when at home Brandon is usually the much better driver.

Another 80's classic with Knightrider.

The Blue Brothers.....

Me and the kids with another of my favourites, the Ford Torino from Starsky and Hutch.

A bit more recent and one the boys are familiar with, Bumblebee from Transformers. 

The Police Mustang from Transformers.

The newer Transformers Camaro.

One of the most impressive vehicles at the show was the stunning Optimus Primer Transformer Truck.

Great picture of the kids with Optimus Prime.



Joshua and Holly with one of the Jurrassic Park vehicles.

Another Jurassic Park jeep.

Joshua finds Mr Bean hilarious and was happy to see Mr Beans Mini which even had Beans teddy on the parcel shelf.



Joshua and Brandon having fun in the fairground whilst Holly had a nap.

Theres a surprise, Joshua with his thumb in his mouth.

Holly with Finn McMissile from Disney Cars. Worryingly the boys said they were too big for Disney Cars now and didn't want their picture taken with them.

Holly recognised Lightning McQueen from the ride-on toy that they have in the garden at home.

Holly with Mater.



Me and the kids with Stig from Top Gear and trying to pull off our best Stig pose. Holly even gave Stig a high five.

Some on track action of the NASCAR racing. Tina's new birthday zoom lens for her digital SLR getting some amazing shots.

The V8 NASCAR's made such an awesome noise.

What is amazing is how Holly slept all the way through the 2nd NASCAR race. The noise of circa 24 cars roaring past us at 100+ mph only 30ft away is unreal.





Another great close up shot of some track action.

The kids enjoyed watching the cars that span off in the wet getting recovered from the gravel pit at Paddock corner.

A lunatic American Superbike champ doing some burnouts on the track and engulfing everyone in smoke.

Even older than the 80's cars that I love so much, a bit of history with Laurel and Hardy.

The end of a great day at the American Speedfest and the kids all show off their toy NASCAR's.