The applications have been released so make sure you don't miss your opportunity to get on this years Brands Hatch 2 Nürburgring Run, now in its 3rd successful year. Setting off from Brands Hatch, after the parade laps, on 29th August, you'll join millions (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration) of other minis (with their owners of course) from all over the UK and Europe for 7 days of mini heaven. Four nights are spent camping at the Camping AM campsite, literally a stones throw from the Nürburgring race track, with a stop over in Belguim on the way there and on the way back, which helps to give yourselves and your minis a bit of a rest.

 

Whilst in Germany you'll get a chance to experience the electric atmosphere that surrounds one of the worlds premier and extensive racetracks. It really is a petrolheads heaven. During the weekend we'll be there, its the DTM Touring Car weekend at the race track, which will offer some fantastic racing action and a glimpse of some great and highly modified cars. If you wish you can then take a stroll around the musuem, teaching you about the histoy of the track, its developments and the cars and racers that have tried to conquer 'The Green Hell'. There is also a very cool interactive area with many games consoles and computer simulations, and believe me, its very easy to see an afternoon disappear whilst you tackle the in-game track from the safety of the comfy seats (some of them are F1 cockpits!) in this area! Directly below the museum is the go-kart track (there are actually several windows in the floor looking over it), where you can learn your racing lines and race your friends.

 

For you car lovers there isn't much that can beat just spending time at the cafe situated at the entrance to the Nordschleif. A chance to see many exotic and high powered cars, and often many cars you'd never expect to see running tyre to tyre with the big boys (last year we saw Camper vans, skodas, even coachs during a lap around the track!). Given the enormously friendly atmosphere you'll often find yourself talking to the owners of cars you've dribbled over since you were a kid, and more often than not you can be a passenger in them too. In previous years runners have had passenger rides in Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, sat on the back of some pretty rapid motorbikes, but of course, none compare to the best, the Mini!!

 

But don't worry if the smell of burning rubber and racing oil aren't your thing, since the race track is set in the gorgeous countryside of The Black Forest, you can take a drive around the fantastic winding roads in the area and relax whilst viewing some of the most picturesque valleys and mountains Europe has to offer. Dotted in amongst the scenary are the old villages and towns which make for great places to do a bit of shopping, or sit down for a nice meal.

 

Genuinely it really is a fantastic week, and I'm not saying that because I'm trying to sell places, but I honestly had the best holiday of my life so far on last years run, and thats something from somewhere who organised a race to Africa in £500 cars!! Forget your lads holiday to the Med, where you'll drink half your years earnings away, or that caravan holiday to the crowded 'Riveria' of England, get yourself on something different this year, and have the experience of a lifetime!

 

 Have a look on the Brands Hatch to Nürburgring Retro website for more information or here to ask any questions.

 

I look forward to seeing you all at Brands in August!