What's best Mini event for a weekend trip...

[MiNiKiN]

I think about flying over to blighty with my son for an extended weekend. I fancy seeing some interesting and rare minis and race parts, vintage race minis. Maybe not just a static display but some engine howling action as well. Maybe with a parts fair.

Any suggestions what event would be the best choice?

Or just Beaulieu autojumble instead?

[gs.davies]

There's two events that will be right up your street;

Blyton - 4th May. Entry is free (donation to charity recommended at the gate - think it's Macmillan this year, Peter Flanagan will confirm) On track action, reasonable range of bits for sale (quite often member to member sales on here too), quite often some exotic Minis on display, Ex-Works, Ex-Privateer, barn finds, developmental stuff (the Coldwell Sprint and the XK Engined car springing to mind here), as well as many member's own cars to look at.

Prescott Hillclimb 16 August. Also organised by Peter Flanagan https://www.prescotthillclimb.co.uk/eve ... i-prescott

[mab01uk]

Brands Hatch Mini Festival - Sunday 3rd August 2025.
"Mini Festival returns to Brands Hatch for a mighty celebration of the UK’s favourite small car. Hundreds of prized classic and modern Minis will gather together for the 13th edition of this treasured event.
Door-to-door action will ensue with classic Mini Miglias, Mini Se7ens and the Sanwa Trophy, hosting a packed grid of superbly presented pre-66 Minis. A highlight will be the returning ‘Fastest Mini in the World’ race, with MINI CHALLENGE CLUBSPORT, Super Mighty and Mighty Minis bringing pocket rocket power.
A vast display of iconic Minis will shine proudly around the legendary Indy circuit with an extensive trade area and plenty more for Mini enthusiasts to enjoy! The charismatic compact cars will shine in a grand finale track parade."
https://www.brandshatch.co.uk/2025/august/mini-festival

[gs.davies]

The racing was good but the number of classics in attendance was very low. Even on the parade lap I did I was surrounded by moderns.

IMG_8730.jpeg

[hanlminiman]

A weekend trip? Perhaps extend it to 10 days and take in Prescott on Saturday 16th August with a trip to Gaydon on the Sunday (about an hour away) and then travel home after visiting the IMM in Sussex 21st to 24th? Fly into Heathrow or City airport?

[mab01uk]

The racing was good but the number of classics in attendance was very low. Even on the parade lap I did I was surrounded by moderns. IMG_8730.jpeg

The modern MINIs rarely have many, if any trade stands and at the Brands Hatch Mini Festival last year (2024) for the first time in recent years there were no modern MINI races at all, it was all classic Mini racing (8 Races).
Despite that the Modern MINIs owners still turned up in greater numbers as paying spectators and as show entrants than the classic Mini owners. Not sure why although I am glad modern MINI owners are effectively making the larger Mini events like this financially viable to continue....or maybe some of us like myself, who have a choice of both take the MINI instead of the classic when the event is some distance away from home or involves a long motorway journey.
However there are few events where you can see almost all the different types of exciting classic Mini racing in one day, on one of the best circuits for spectator viewing in the UK and also walk around the race paddock to look at and photograph the competitors Minis close up. Some of my photos from the 2022 event linked below.

Brands Hatch Mini Festival 2022 - Show cars:-
viewtopic.php?t=35068

Paddock photos - Brands Hatch Mini Festival 2022:-
viewtopic.php?t=35061

[MiNiKiN]

A weekend trip? Perhaps extend it to 10 days and take in Prescott on Saturday 16th August with a trip to Gaydon on the Sunday (about an hour away) and then travel home after visiting the IMM in Sussex 21st to 24th? Fly into Heathrow or City airport?

Currently Gatwick seems to cater for the cheapest flights.

Prescott is a tempting event. I have been to Gaydon many moons ago, I doubt it will have changed to an extent worth another visit.
And to stay much longer I will surely fail to convince my son to do so. I / we want to also visit old friends in Northampton, so that is one ancor point of the trip.

[Polarsilver]

Gaydon Museum on Sunday 13th July ..Abingdon Works 70 years motorsport celebration.. BMC / Leyland Show.. been advised there are ..Works Cars x 52off + Replicas x17off + none factory competition cars x 16off + Historic Marathon Cars etc.. should be a good day out

[hanlminiman]

A weekend trip? Perhaps extend it to 10 days and take in Prescott on Saturday 16th August with a trip to Gaydon on the Sunday (about an hour away) and then travel home after visiting the IMM in Sussex 21st to 24th? Fly into Heathrow or City airport?

Currently Gatwick seems to cater for the cheapest flights.

Prescott is a tempting event. I have been to Gaydon many moons ago, I doubt it will have changed to an extent worth another visit.
And to stay much longer I will surely fail to convince my son to do so. I / we want to also visit old friends in Northampton, so that is one ancor point of the trip.

Gaydon has been transformed over the last few years and is not a static exhibit museum with the added attraction of the Jaguar/Daimelr heritage vehicles.

[kit of bits]

Hello
Are you heading back to stony?
There’s a few minis and forum members at this event.

https://classicstony.co.uk/