Footman James Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props

Date: 24 September, 2016

Location: Sywell Aerodrome, Hall Farm, Sywell, Northampton, NN6 0BN

Few classic car shows in the UK are livelier than the Footman James Sywell Classic: Pistons and Props.

This year’s offering contains the usual mix of vintage and classic traders, high-octane motorsport, awesome aerial displays and live music. The weekend of September 24-25 is the date to mark in your diary.

Last year’s event attracted well over 14,000 visitors. Many were drawn to the pure nostalgia of the occasion. There are even prizes for the best-dressed guests who get into the spirit of the festival. So why not put on your vintage glad rags?

Racing runways and speed strips

More than 75 historic car and bike racers will treat the crowd to a jaw-dropping display of tyre-burning thrills. The event has traditionally been noted for its eclectic mix, from pre-war beauties to sports cars, from saloons to Grand Prix icons.

The Sywell Classic offers a dreamy drag strip to tempt speed junkies, while hand-picked hot rods will battle it out to win the Hot Rod Review Best of Show Trophy. The competitors all boast incredible interiors, awesome paintwork and engines to die for. You’ll see motorbikes and dragsters go head-on down the course’s 200-metre straight sprint.

Don’t leave without…

• Seeing the car clubs: Organisations from around the country are expected to be out in force again.

• Listening to the live music: Lonnie Donegan Junior and The Hound Dogs are among the confirmed acts so far.

• Checking out the Vintage Village: The Hangar One village transports you back in time for homewards, textiles, gents and ladies clothing and art ranging from the 1930s to the 1960s. Ever-popular aero, auto and retro jumbles will also be on show.

• Looking skywards: Iconic planes, including Tiger Moths, Kittyhawks, Hurricanes and Spitfires, will be among the aerial treats

Get a ticket

Adult tickets in advance are £18 either day or £30 for the weekend, while children can get in for £7 per day or £10 for the weekend. Tickets cost more on the day.