Motorsport in Europe
Gearing up for motorsport
Driving across to Europe for a holiday or short break? Make sure you've done all your planning, from buying European breakdown cover to making the most of your trip.
If you're planning to drive across to Europe for a holiday or short break, make sure you've done all your planning.
Check out our guide to driving abroad and make sure you're up to speed with the legal requirements of each country.
Money matters
Plus, here are some top money-saving tips for driving long distances.
- Plan your route
Check where you're going, whether there are tolls along your way and the road rules.
- Work out rough expenditure
If you're on a budget it pays to get a rough idea of costs for your trip. Add in tolls if there are any. NB be sure you have some loose change or find out whether the countries you're travelling through have a pre-pay system. There are also some top tips for eking out your fuel over long distances.
- Give your car a thorough once over before you leave
You may opt to your car serviced, but at the very least make sure your coolant, battery and engine oil levels are topped up. Check out our video podcasts on how to carry out essential checks on your car.
- Make sure you car's kitted up
Ensure you have all the compulsory equipment that the countries you're driving through specify. Last thing you need is to be landed with a costly fine. This could mean spare lightbulbs or warning triangles. For instance did you know that reflective vests are compulsory if you're driving in France?
- Use your AA Card
If you're a Member of the AA, you get a range of discounts on everything from travel insurance to travel essentials.
Setbacks
And don't forget, while you can plan for every eventuality, you never know when you might break down. It pays to be prepared as your holiday will surely be ruined if you find yourself saddled with a hefty bill for repairs in a foreign country.
Arranging a tow back to the UK alone could set you back a whopping £1,000. So it really does pay to arrange European breakdown cover before you leave. Enjoy peace of mind from just £9.05 a day with our 24-hour English-speaking assistance. And remember, you can save up to 30% when you buy online.
Booking ahead
Perhaps you want to book a campsite. According to the 2009 edition of Caravan & Camping Guide for France, you may need to pay a booking fee in advance, especially peak season. While others may set a minimum length of stay.
Your deposit may double as a booking fee, so your cash will automatically become non-refundable. Be sure to check all this before you book.
AA Member savings
If you're a Member of the AA, we can help you reduce the costs of travel. For example, find out how you can save using the Arc Europe Show Your Card! Scheme. Plus you can cash in on ferry crossing savings, whether that's P&O or one of the other ferry companies.
Brits abroad
Now you're all set to go, there's a veritable sports fest coming your way in Europe this summer. Here's a round-up of key events that you may fancy travelling to the Continent for, or simply catching en route to your holiday destination.
This round-up has been inspired by 'AA Classic Motorport Routes', which takes a historic round-the-world tour of the most iconic motor races.
And it would seem the Brits are doing pretty well abroad, with the likes of Jenson Button and Robert Huff leaving a bunch of losers in their dust. Check out what's going on, country by country.
But before you head off, here's a word of caution. European breakdown cover could save you a lot of grief and expense. Take advantage of our online discount. You can get up to 30% off when you buy European breakdown cover online. Why not get a quote now?
Formula 1
For some full-on fuel combustion, there's nothing quite like Formula 1.
In these credit crunch times, France's Magny-Cours no longer plays host to Formula 1.
© Brawn GP
Fear not though, the nearest key venues around Europe include the captivatingly hazardous Monaco circuit along with Imola (the home of Ferrari).
© Brawn GP
Le Mans
Normally in June, this is the first in a series of gruelling 24-hour races. The skill is in tactical driving to ensure you last the distance mentally, physically and mechanically.
Getting there
It's just under 3 hours' drive from Dieppe to Le Mans.
Remember, AA Members can save money if you need to book a ferry from Dover, Newhaven or Portsmouth. Plan a route to Le Mans.
Mille Miglia
Italy has hosted some pretty cool events, not least the iconic Mille Miglia, which spanned 30 years from 1927 to 1957 and was the subject of an ill-fated film by iconic actor-cum-speedfreak Steve McQueen. In fact the endurance race was deemed so dangerous that it was shelved in 1957. However, it has since been tamed and revived as a road rallying event.
Getting there
It's roughly 10.5 hours' drive from Calais to Brescia, the start of the race, near Milan.
Remember, AA Members can save money if you need to book a ferry. Plan a route to Brescia.
Moto-GP
The motorbike fest tours Europe in the annual battle for supremacy. Catch the likes of Spaniard Dani Pedrosa pitting his wheels against Italian of the moment, Marco Melandri. This is another Europe-wide contest and the superbikes roar into town at venues, such as the Circuit de Catalunya.
© www.mike-patrick.com. All rights reserved
Speedway
Speedway is a staple in the Scandinavian motorsport calendar. According to the organisers, it features 'four riders [who] keep turning left over four laps of an oval track and each race is over in less than a minute'. So what's the fuss? The catch is it's on 500cc single-geared bikes with no brakes.
Tour Auto
Now called Tour Auto, it's an annual road race that's been going since 1889. It's a five-day event and takes place in the south of France, alternating between venues, such as Biarritz and Cannes.
World rally championships
www.wrc.com / © McKlein
A 'fast gravel affair, with high-speed runs along tree-lined tracks, peppered with fast, flying "yumps" that demand absolute, balls-out commitment.' That's the world rally championships summed up, according to www.wrc.com.
And Finland is the place to go for a piece of the frenetic action. In fact Finland has a history of rally driving and has been hosting Rally Finland since 1951. Bizarrely, it was born out a desire to find the best competitors to race in Monaco, rather than to establish an event of its own, according to Richard Meaden in the sumptuous coffee table book 'Classic Motorsport Routes'.
But luckily, it's now an established sport and a key event in the Finnish calendar.
World Superbike Championships
Big names galore inhabit the world of superbikes. From champs, such as Fabrizio, to legendary bikes, such as Ducati, what's not to love? Speeding into turns at death-defying angles means this sport is certainly not for the faint-hearted. But then this is one of the most adrenaline-charged events in the motorbike racing world.
World Touring Car Championships (WTCC)
The season normally starts in March and features teams going head to head using cars such as Seat, BMW, Chevrolet, Lada and Volvo. Notable races include the former Grand Prix de Pau, which is now part of the World Touring Car Championships (WTCC).
These events are guaranteed to inspire even the most reticent of petrolheads. But don't worry. If the thought of this veritable spectator sports fest leaves you stony cold, check out AA travel guides for slightly quieter ideas to amuse yourself.
Driving to Europe
- European breakdown cover
- Plan a route
- European toll roads
- Local road rules and advice
- Compulsory equipment
- Tips for driving in Europe
- 90 days' European cover with AA Car Insurance
Other self-drive breaks
Alternative options include:
Other products & services
Last updated: November 2009