Brooklands gears up for huge Italian Car Day

| 3 Mar 2012

Italian Car Day at Brooklands – the UK's biggest gathering of Italian cars, ranging from the mainstream to mouthwatering exotica – takes place on 5 May.

More than 2000 cars, including nearly 250 Ferraris, and 5000 visitors were at the Weybridge event last year.

Stars included the ex-Rob Walker Ferrari 250 SWB (as driven in period by Sir Stirling Moss), Ferrari Enzo, F50, 288GTO and 275GTB. There were also rare Maseratis and Lamborghinis as well as representatives of less well-known marques such as Abarth, Bizzarrini, De Tomaso, Innocenti, Moretti and Siata.

It's a far cry from the first event – run at Syon Park in Brentford in 1986 – which was a champagne picnic with fewer than 100 people in attendance. Italian Car Day moved to Brooklands in 1996 and it has grown every years since.

Phil Ward, of organiser GB Promotions, said: "The greatest thing about the event is that it welcomes Italian car enthusiasts and owners, regardless of whether they own a famous historic racing car, the latest road-going Ferrari, a much-loved classic or the smallest, most affordable modern Fiat on the market. Anyone who turns up in an Italian car – or motorcycle – forms part of the display, rather than being merely a spectator."

"In addition to the vast displays of exotica and 'obscurati', there is always a good, solid turn-out of classic and modern Alfa Romeos, Fiats and Lancias, so no one need feel outshone when they turn up in their Italian pride and joy and park up with similar models," added Ward.

The event kicks off at 8.30am and adult tickets are £12 in advance (£14 on the day). Click here to book or for more details.