Friday 24th October 2014

Legal street racing in Coventry

F3 racers, Porsche GT Cups and BTCC cars to race street circuit time trial on Coventry's ring road

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Remember back in the summer when the closed roads motorsport legislation was passed? Well already Coventry city council has put the new rules into action by organising time trials on public roads for next year. Really.

Without getting ahead of ourselves...

The Coventry Motofest 2015 aims to see BTCC, Formula 3 and Porsche Carrera Cup cars compete on the city's ring road. Hopefully now the Birmingham Superprix lead image (next year in fact marks 25 years since the last one) makes more sense!

The Motofest organisers are in partnership with the British Automobile Racing Club to ensure the event receives Motorsport Industry Association approval. The two-day event hopes to gather 150 time trial competitors in 2015. There's even discussion of a BTCC round on the Coventry ring road but let's not get carried away just yet...

The intention for Coventry Motofest is to be an Edinburgh Festival for motorsport with plenty of other attractions aside from the time trials. Following a successful first event in 2014 with static displays, bikes, a motoring themed film festival and live music the time trials should make the weekend even better.

Is that a D-Type back there?

James Noble is Motofest Director and said of the news: "We are so excited to announce competitive motorsport on the Coventry ring road. This was a big part of our vision ... and we are so grateful to Coventry city council for its forward-thinking approach in enabling us to make it a reality."

Understandably too the BARC are very pleased with the partnership. General Manager Ian Watson said: "The BARC are delighted to be working with everyone at Coventry Motofest for 2015."

The pictures you see here are early phone pics from today's media event at Coventry. We'll add more and provide any additional info as soon as it arrives!

 

 

[Superprix images: 1989 British Touring Car Championship. Birmingham Superprix, England. 28th August 1989. Rd 11. Mike Smith (Ford Sierra RS500), retired, action. World Copyright: LAT Photographic. Ref: 89BTCC BIR05

Birmingham, England. 27th August 1990. Rd 9. Erik Comas (Lola T89/50-Mugen), retired, leads Eddie Irvine (Reynard 90D-Mugen), retired and Didier Artzet (Reynard 90D-Cosworth), 3rd position, action. World Copyright: LAT Photographic. Ref: Colour Transparency]

[l354uge]

I'd be surprised if that pile of crumbly concrete could withstand 34 BTCC cars at full tilt, but I'd love to see it!