MotoFest Coventry celebrates ten-year anniversary

MotoFest Coventry is to host its biggest ever entertainment programme, with a full-size replica of the BloodHound Land Speed Record (LSR) car, Extreme E racing simulators and a giant Scalextric track featuring iconic Coventry landmarks among the highlights of the weekend.

The Coventry Transport Museum will host a full-size replica of the BloodHound LSR car in Millennium Place. The replica vehicle will be supported by the BloodHound Education display, with lots of information about the car’s history and development and the important role Bloodhound LSR has played in schools as part of their STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) lessons.

There will be Bloodhound themed PlayHem activities on Saturday in Millennium Place and with free entry to the museum, visitors will get the opportunity to enjoy a fly-through of the Bloodhound engine on the 4D simulator. The simulator will also allow visitors to experience the thrill of driving a Le Mans endurance racing car or get behind the wheel of the Thrust SSC land speed car, with both available across the weekend.  

Headline partners E.ON Next and E.ON x Coventry City Council Strategic Energy Partnership will host an action-packed weekend of events on their stand at Greyfriars Green. Visitors can put their racing skills to the test on the E.ON Veloce  racing simulators, or try their hands at the Batak quick reaction game – used by racing drivers to improve hand-eye coordination and speed up response times.

The stand will also host a 3.6m x 1.2m Scalextric track on which visitors, friends and families can race each other on a track featuring some of Coventry’s most notable landmarks. Elsewhere on the stand will be DJs and a viewing platform to give visitors a perfect view of the MotoFest track action.

Throughout the weekend, visitors might also spot World Rally Cross and E.ON Veloce Extreme E racing drivers Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor dropping in to talk about their experiences in motor racing and the work they do to promote greater sustainability and equal opportunities in motorsport.

James Noble, MotoFest Festival Director, said: “For our ten-year anniversary, MotoFest Coventry is celebrating with its biggest ever entertainment programme, with a non-stop cultural celebration of the city’s motoring past, present and future.

“The BloodHound LSR replica car and education display located in Millennium Place and the original car inside the museum will quite literally provide a huge attraction. It’s an incredible feat of engineering and visitors can learn more about its development and the role it plays in teaching engineers of the future.

“Our event partners E.ON are hosting a fantastic programme on their stand, with the Extreme E simulators, guest appearances from Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor, as well as the Coventry themed Scalextric circuit sure to prove hugely popular across the festival weekend.

“There are also the music stages, including our main stage this year delivered in partnership with BBC Introducing West Midlands, our regular fairground with rides for all ages and a huge range of family friendly activities and things to do.

“It’s set to be a fantastic weekend full of thrills, family fun and high-octane entertainment with something for everyone to enjoy across the festival weekend.”

E.ON Next and E.ON will also be showing off the latest updates from the strategic energy partnership with Coventry City Council and highlighting some of the latest low carbon energy solutions available to homes and businesses, such as electric vehicle charging – visitors can drop in to the E.ON Next photobooth and energy generating dance game to learn more.

Chris Lovatt, Chief Operating Officer for E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions, who also sits on Coventry’s climate change board, said: “The weather’s getting better and the excitement is definitely ramping up ahead of the tenth anniversary running of MotoFest Coventry.

“Whether it’s meeting champion racing drivers in the flesh or putting yourself in their shoes on the simulators or Scalextric track, we’re building a fun-packed stand for the weekend while also outlining some of the ways we’re backing the city’s ambitions and inspiring sustainable change.

“We’ll be bringing all our energy to this year’s event, whether that’s our work in sustainable motorsport, helping our customers to become cleaner and greener at home and in business, or highlighting some of the work we’re doing to transform this city and make their net zero ambitions a reality.”

Marguerite Nugent, Cultural Director, CV Life, said: “Congratulations to MotoFest Coventry on 10 fantastic years and we are thrilled to be part of event again this year.

“Coventry Transport Museum (operated by CV Life) will be a hub of activity throughout the weekend by offering something for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

“They will be able to see the awe-inspiring BloodHound LSR replica up close in Millennium Place on Saturday, with the actual car inside the museum. There will be a variety of engaging activities designed to spark curiosity over the weekend and a special cycle and motorcycle display on Sunday. Plus, the Museum is free throughout MotoFest weekend.”

The musical feast being served up at MotoFest Coventry will see a new partnership with BBC Music Introducing West Midlands, with the main stage showcasing some of the best emerging artists and bands in the West Midlands region. The full line-up for the daytime and evening stages across both days of the festival weekend will be announced soon.

In addition to the main BBC Introducing West Midlands stage, there will be further live music across both days with various stages featuring local Coventry and West Midlands performers and community groups.

MotoFest Coventry is a two-day festival dedicated to the city of Coventry’s motoring heritage, taking place on Saturday 1 June and Sunday 2 June. It will feature a unique blend of racing demonstrations, static displays, live music and anything else with a connection to Coventry, transport and the city’s motoring heritage.

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