We’re not usually ones for copy and pasting a press release but this is an exciting bit of news that was released this morning. Scotland is to play host to it’s biggest, loudest and fastest motoring event ever when the BBC and the Top Gear organisers bring IGNITION to the SECC.
Do you think they will let us take a drive around the closed of streets beside the SECC? We’ll be asking the question and trying to get some tickets to give away too. More info to come once we’ve spoken to the organisers…..
The sight – and awesome sound – of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car plus power laps by Top Gear’s tame racing driver The Stig are just some of the highlights of a high octane festival planned for the streets of Glasgow this summer.
As well as paying homage to some of the world’s finest motor sporting heroes, the event will showcase all aspects of motoring. It will even close roads around the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and SSE Hydro Arena to create Glasgow’s first ever street circuit.
Scotland’s own F1 star David Coulthard will take to the specially constructed Street Circuit in the Red Bull Racing RB7, giving fans a unique opportunity to see and hear a Formula 1 machine up close.
And there will be further track action from a wild selection of race, rally and supercars – as well as bikes – to make 5-7 August one of the most exciting weekends on this year’s motoring calendar.
Called IGNITION, the brand new event which will be based at the SECC, will be the most exciting, ambitious and complex motor show ever to be staged in Scotland. Organised by the team behind Top Gear Live, IGNITION promises to be nothing like a traditional motor show.
“Scotland’s rich heritage and passion for motor sport coupled with Glasgow’s proven ability to stage world leading events makes it the perfect location for our innovative IGNITION festival of motoring,” said Event Director Jeremy Vaughan.
“Following early discussions, the immediate enthusiasm from Glasgow City Council, the SECC, media, manufacturers and dealers – not to mention Scotland’s fervent motoring fans – showed there was a huge demand for a new kind of dynamic motoring event in Scotland. We’re delighted to be launching IGNITION in Glasgow.”
“We’re really looking forward to hosting the inaugural IGNITION festival of motoring,” confirmed Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau. “The announcement of the Street Circuit is incredibly exciting as it marks a UK first for Glasgow and will put the city right at the heart of the action.
“It makes perfect sense for Ignition to make its home in Glasgow as we’re a city that’s always on the move and we have a history of welcoming the world’s elite supercars and drivers, having previously provided the backdrop for thrilling scenes in the Fast & Furious 6 movie as well being the starting point for the iconic Monte Carlo Rally. Today’s announcement reinforces Glasgow’s enviable reputation as a world-class destination which works with major event organisers to create show-stopping events that pack a real punch for audiences.”
Track action will continue across all three days of the show and will be complemented by displays of iconic cars including a collection of local hero Colin McRae’s rally cars. McRae is one of Scotland’s many motor sport World Champions. Indeed, Scotland is one of only five countries to have produced World Champions on two, three and four wheels – an achievement that IGNITION will celebrate.
The Top Gear Live Stunt team will inject further thrills into IGNITION as they bring excitement and flair to the live action zone while a Supercar Pavillion curated by Top Gear magazine will display the finest supercars and hypercars from Bugattis to Zondas.
Further display areas include a Motor Sport Hall, celebrating Scottish success in the competition arena, and a Motorbike Hall of two-wheel machines from superbikes and café racers to sports touring bikes and custom cruisers.
Those who enjoy motoring’s heritage will find their favourites in the Classic and Vintage Hall which will be filled with mouth-watering machines from the great marques of the past as well as showcasing lovingly restored classics from car club members.
Add to this the latest from manufacturers and dealers, a test car facility where visitors can get behind the wheel themselves and a young driver area to whet the appetite of our next generation of drivers and its clear IGNITION will be unmissable.
