CarFest North festival pulls in 20,000 fans
More than 20,000 people flocked to a country estate near Shropshire to enjoy a sell-out two-day fundraising festival masterminded by DJ Chris Evans.[gallery]
The legendary star of TGI Friday, Radio 2 and The One Show was the driving force behind CarFest North, held at Cholmondeley Castle over the weekend.
Organisers were hoping to raise a whopping £800,000 for BBC Children in Need at the event, which featured a top musical line-up including Texas, Razorlight, The Proclaimers, The Magic Numbers and Paloma Faith.
The presenter decided to stage his dream family-friendly festival as part of a fundraising effort for the BBC charity, and announced it to millions of listeners on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show earlier this summer.
Among the top attractions at the festival were fast cars, aircraft displays, live music and fine food.
Evans said the weekend festival was a celebration of three of his biggest passions, while simultaneously raising much-needed funds for Children in Need.
He said: "CarFest is my dream of the perfect family festival starring three of my greatest passions – cars, live music and scrumptious food.
"It was just utterly awesome and from the moment it opened it took on a whole personality of its own.
"I wouldn't have missed it for all the trophies in Michael Schumacher's cupboard."
Crowds enjoyed demonstration runs on the estate's racing circuit, including appearances from Evans' very own Ferraris dubbed the 'Magnificent Seven'.
Other highlights included legendary F1 cars, the very latest supercars, Group B rally machines and vintage cars.
Crowd pleasers the Red Barrows turned the sky red, white and blue with a colourful flypast, while on the ground the JCB Dancing Diggers proved a big hit with all visitors.
There were also displays from jousters together with sideshows and unusual entertainment including a silent disco which saw revellers donning headphones as they danced the night away in the big top.
Jonathan Gill, event spokesman, said the event had attracted thousands of spectators, all raising money for Children in Need.
He said: "It has been fantastic and extremely well supported by thousands of people who have had a great time.
"There was a very popular hill climb for the cars with them roaring up the hill in groups of seven – starting of course with the Ferraris.
"There were 14 categories of cars to enjoy in all: Chris's Magnificent seven Ferraris, European Supercars, US Supercars, Far East Supercars, Motorsport, seven cars worth £1million, Anniversaries, Group B Rally Cars, Historic F1s, Vintage, Celebrities' cars, Design Classics, Gorgeous and Unusual Collection.
"Chris always said that CarFest North couldn't go ahead unless the music line up was just as good as the cars and it was incredible. Chris hosted the stage and introduced the bands which included Texas, Razorlight and Paloma Faith."
The event was the second CarFest of the summer after success of CarFest South in Hampshire in August.
A minimum of one third of the price of each ticket will be donated to the charity.
Norwegian professional rally driver Petter Solberg, who drives for the Ford World Rally Team, also made an appearance on the racing circuit.
He took to Twitter to tell fans he had a 'great time slaying tires (sic)' at the event.
This morning Mr Evans also used the Twitter social network site to say: "Thanks for all the CarFest North love. #recovering."
