Blimey - what a weekend! We've just got back from CarFest North - the second of two family friendly festivals put together by our long-standing friend Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans.
CarFest organiser Chris Evans arrives in style!
Over 48 hours, some 25,000 festival-goers soaked up the late summer sun in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. They were treated to three of Chris Evans' favourite things: fantastic cars, great rock music and the very best in British food!
Car lovers from far and wide had turned up to watch some of the world's most famous vehicles race around the Chomlondeley circuit - and they certainly weren't disappointed. From Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason in his own Ferrari 512S (which starred alongside Steve McQueen in the Le Mans movie) plus some incredible driving displays from 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC through to Chris Evans opening the whole show in the legendary original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, there really was something for all petrol-heads to enjoy.
The fun didn't stop when the cars stopped revving their engines, because a fantastic line-up of top pop bands took to the stage on both evenings of the festival to bring the crowd to their feet, with stirring live performances from bands including Texas, Paloma Faith, The Proclaimers, The Magic Numbers and Razorlight. And rumbling tummies were given a welcome treat by the “Cakes vs Pies” competition, judged by The Great British Bake-Off’s Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
“CarFest North and South have been a dream team of food, music, cars and fun. The jackpot has been the family atmosphere, dictated by the children themselves,” enthused a delighted Evans as the curtain came down in Cheshire. “Happy smiling faces from dawn till dusk and beyond - reminding us adults how to play! Both venues were fabulous and we thank our hosts very much, the Scheckters for CarFest South and the Cholmondeleys for CarFest North. Here's to next year and by the time we've counted all those CarFest pennies, Pudsey and BBC Children In Need should be very happy. Thank you again one and all.”
And with the staggering news that this year’s two CarFest events are on course to raise a jaw-dropping £800,000 for BBC Children in Need, one thing’s for sure – we’d like to thank a certain Mr Chris Evans and all of his team for their incredible hard work and commitment to fundraising for us. You’re amazing!
Browse through a gallery of images from CarFest North by clicking here.
