What better way for petrol-heads to reignite their passion than with a feast of more than 500 fabulous classic cars enhanced by some of the greatest classic car movies – and all set in a Covid-compliant drive in experience at one of the UK’s most iconic and accessible motoring destinations.

Redesigned for these challenging times and launched today (Thursday), The Classic Car Drive In Weekend is an all-new and exciting car-themed event designed specifically to provide enthusiasts with an outstanding outdoor, socially distanced visitor experience.

The ground-breaking show – the very first drive in dedicated to cars – is the brainchild of Brand Events, the award-winning team behind a raft of innovative experiential successes including Top Gear Live, CarFest and The London Classic Car Show, and will be staged at Bicester Heritage, the Home of Historic Motoring, in Oxfordshire over the weekend of 18-20 September.

All show-goers will be treated to a drive in movie plus the added pleasure of savouring the sights and sounds of some of the world’s finest classic and competition cars performing live in thrilling and evocative action.

Films already confirmed include some of the best car movies ever to hit the silver screen. Lovers of epic car chases can choose between blockbusters such as The Italian Job, Gone In 60 Seconds, Fast and Furious 7 and Baby Driver while the billing is equally impressive for motor sport fans with Rush, Senna, Le Mans 66 and Days of Thunder all on the line-up. With two drive in cinemas and three screenings each and every day, no fewer than 18 different viewing options will be available.

As well as the memorable drive in cinema experience, visitors also will be offered a full day’s entertainment topped by dramatic demonstration runs on a specially constructed track at Bicester Heritage, which will also stage colourful motoring parades. Other highlights will include gatherings of more than 25 of the UK’s leading car clubs, eye-catching displays by top dealers, a host of car-related traders and retailers plus a live Bonhams MPH car auction hosted on-site. Adding to the spectacle and magical atmosphere, classic car owners are also being encouraged to drive into the event and display their own personal pride and joy to the world.

Bicester Heritage is the perfect home for the first major new Covid-compliant classic car show. Located on the UK’s best-preserved WW2 RAF Bomber Station, it is one of the UK’s most significant motoring destinations and home to the first Centre of Excellence for Historic Motoring. Moreover, the huge event location, comprising 444 acres not only provides extensive airfield perimeter roads for eye-catching automotive action but also acres of outdoor space for this exciting new socially distanced event.

Daniel Geoghegan CEO of Bicester Heritage commented: “The Classic Car Drive In Weekend is the perfect excuse to throw open the doors again at Bicester Heritage and to share the vibrant spirit here, we look forward to welcoming enthusiasts to our Centre of Excellence for Historic Motoring.”

All the elements add up to the ground-breaking show for which the classic car community has been eager ever since the lifting of lockdown regulations and the arrival of the summer season. It is also a welcome boost for the entire classic car industry.

“With so many of our traditional motoring attractions being postponed, cancelled or run behind closed doors, we were determined to create a wonderful event for the new normal – and, with The Classic Car Drive In Weekend, we have done just that,” enthused show director Bas Bungish. “In these challenging times our priority will always be to provide a safe and secure environment for all our visitors and exhibitors but that doesn’t mean we can’t all enjoy a fabulous day out with friends and family if the right precautions are in place. Indeed, that’s exactly what so many of us have been yearning for.”

The birth of The Classic Car Drive In Weekend also endorses Bicester Heritage’s ambition to create the UK’s principal destination for anyone who wants to experience motor cars from all eras.

“This exciting new partnership with Brand Events certainly furthers our ambitions to share our passion with the wider motoring community,” said Shaun O’Hara, Event Director at Bicester Heritage. “Clearly launching a new classic car show in the current climate isn’t without its challenges, but we believe that the team at Brand Events have created something really special and safe, which many car enthusiasts and movie buffs will relish after so many months of relative inactivity.”

Further details of The Classic Car Drive In Weekend including news of stunning static and demo display cars, a full schedule of epic drive in movies, listings of notable cars being auctioned by Bonhams MPH plus all the latest news of other mouth-watering attractions will be announced in the next few weeks via the www.theclassiccarshowuk.com website and associated social media platforms.

The website also provides full information on all the Covid-compliant procedures being put in place to provide all-comers with a secure environment.

While for many the power-fuelled movie festival will be the undoubted highlight, the Classic Car Drive In Weekend also combines a more traditional classic car show with a live Bonhams MPH auction, 500+ classic cars on show, demonstration runs and parades on Bicester Heritage’s track, dealer displays, traders plus a host of enthusiastic car clubs. There really will be something for everyone to savour.

We’re delighted to have teamed up with The Classic Car Show Team to offer Motorsport UK members a £5 discount on Full Experience show tickets – making them just £20 for adults and £15 children (aged 5-15). Full Experience tickets will automatically give visitors access to one drive in film of their choice as well as all the full show site. To claim your £5 exclusive discount, simply login at members.motorsportuk.org to access your member benefits.

For those looking just to drive in, park up and enjoy a movie, a Film only ticket is also on offer priced at £10 for adults and £7.50 for children. And for those wanting to spend the day in the heart of the show and track a Show only ticket is also available at £18 for adults and £10 for children.

With numbers restricted to 10,000 over the weekend to guarantee social distancing – and some of the screenings certain to sell-out swiftly ­– visitors are strongly advised not to delay their purchase. Tickets are are available to buy now.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.theclassiccarshowuk.com. The website also provides a full film schedule together with film trailers plus comprehensive information on all the Covid-compliant procedures being put in place to provide all-comers with a secure environment.