First mini-festival for Croft Circuit this weekend

Retro single-seaters will be joined by modern and classic Minis. There will also be track parades, an autograph session, a grid walk, a stunt show and activities for children, including driving lessons for teenagers.

The highlight of the circuit action, which includes 14 races over the weekend, is the Vertu Mini Challenge Trophy, which sees drivers in identical Cooper models compete hard, with the one-make series often found on the support programme of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Competitors will take to the track in three races over the course of the weekend and fans will have the chance to get up close and personal with the drivers and their machines during a grid walk on Sunday at 3pm before the final race.

The final round of the Mini Challenge Clubsport series includes three races over both days, while the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup travels south to contest three rounds in its penultimate meeting of the season. The Mighty Mini Championship will offer spectators some nostalgia, with classic models competing on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday sees the debut season of the Heroes of FF1600 Sprint Cup for single-seaters, with cars from the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s visiting Croft for their final appearance of the year. Sunday also sees a special mini enduro event with qualifying followed by a 40-minute race. The morning will feature track parades, the Paul Swift stunt show and an autograph session in the pit lane.

Off the track, children aged 13 to 17 will have the chance to get behind the wheel of a Mini and learn to drive the Croft Mini rally cars, as well as other activities and a bar and gourmet street food.

On Saturday it starts at 9:30 a.m., with practice and qualifying for the opening race at 12:40 p.m. On Sunday there will be a track parade at 10:00 a.m., with racing at 12:00 p.m. and an autograph session in the pit lane at 11:10 a.m.

Advance ticket prices are £18 for each day for adults, children under 15 go free, there is free parking and free access to the paddock. For more information call Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or book your tickets online at croftcircuit.co.uk.