- Petter Solberg to wow crowds at Cholmondeley Castle
- Ford rally star to top the action-packed bill
- Additional tickets now on sale
Rallying megastar star Petter Solberg is the latest champion to join the star-studded line-up at this weekend’s CarFest North (8-9 September) to be staged at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire.
The 37-year-old Norwegian who won the World Rally Championship in 2003 and currently competes for the official Ford World Rally Team confirmed his participation on both Saturday and Sunday when chatting live on air to event mastermind Chris Evans on this morning’s Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.
“Just when you thought CarFest couldn’t get any more exciting, we’ve got Petter Solberg to top the bill. What a signing!” enthused Evans.
Solberg, who is gearing up for next week’s Wales Rally GB, vowed to put on some spectacular driving performances for the tens of thousands of festival goers at Cholmondeley. “I’m going to do what I do best,” he said. “Drive very, very fast, do lots of power slides and put on a proper show.” He also promised to take Evans for a spin in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC and to teach the car-mad broadcaster how to do the famed ‘Scandinavian flick’, the technique of sliding a car sideways around a corner as used by rally drivers. “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” admitted Solberg.
CarFest encapsulates Evans’ dream of the perfect family festival featuring three of his greatest passions – great cars, live music and scrumptious food – while simultaneously raising much needed funds for BBC Children in Need. The first event, CarFest South, was held at 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter’s Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend and was hailed as “a brilliant success” by Evans. The mix of memorable high-octane action, breathtaking aerial displays and sparkling live sets by top bands as well as a whole host of other superb family entertainment enthralled all ages. And now, a fortnight later, the radio personality’s glittering festival is all set for a repeat performance, this time in the glorious grounds of Cholmondeley Castle… and with the addition of some rally driving heroics from Solberg.
Although the original 20,000 tickets were an immediate sell-out, an extended licence has enabled organisers to offer some additional day, weekend and VIP tickets. A third of the ticket price goes to BBC Children in Need. Tickets are available online via www.CarFest.org until Friday morning and thereafter on the gate at Cholmondeley.
Photo caption
Former World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg, is just one of the many great performers in action at this weekend’s CarFest North.
Notes to Editors
CarFest is the brainchild of radio DJ and TV personality Chris Evans. Featuring a medley of fast cars, food, live music and family entertainment, the inaugural weekend events was staged at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire (25-26 August) with a second show at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire (8-9 September). Both are raising funds for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal with a minimum of one third of the price of each ticket benefiting the charity.
BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. This vision is realised by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.
The charity is currently supporting around 2,600 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages. For example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.
Brand Events UK
CarFest is being organised and operated for Chris Evans and BBC Children in Need by Brand Events. Brand Events was formed in 1999 and is the UK’s most successful innovator in events and exhibitions. Since then it has launched some of the UK’s most popular consumer events including Top Gear Live, The Outdoors and Vitality shows and more recently the Taste Festivals series of events.
Laverstoke Park Farm
Laverstoke Park Farm was founded in 1996 by former Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter who was determined to create the best tasting, healthiest food for his family and himself. Jody leads the way in Biodynamic and Organic Farming methods in the UK, and today the farm covers some 2,500 acres (or 1200 football pitches) certified as Biodynamic by Demeter and the parkland is certified as Organic by the Soil Association. For stockiest of Laverstoke’s beautiful produce, such as its Buffalo Mozzarella, ice-cream, sausages, pies and much more please visit www.Laverstokepark.co.uk.
For further information please contact Jonathan Gill or Deborah Tee in the CarFest Media Office at MPA Creative on 01372 414120 or email on CarFestMedia@MPACreative.com. A large selection of high-resolution photography and official event logos are available on request. Media wishing to attend CarFest North (8-9 Sept) should apply to CarFestMedia@MPACreative.com and enclose evidence of confirmed event preview or review coverage.
CF 04 – 06/09/2012
