Croft Circuit will celebrate one of the world’s most famous cars when the first-ever BARC Mini Festival takes place this weekend.

Modern day and classic Minis alongside retro single seaters will compete as well as track parades, an autograph session, grid walk, stunt show and children’s activities, including learner driver sessions for teenagers.

Headlining the circuit action which includes 14 races over the weekend will be the Vertu Mini Challenge Trophy with drivers closely battling it out in identical Cooper models with the one-make series often found on the support bill of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. Competitors will take to the track in three races over the course of the weekend with a chance for fans to get up close to the drivers and their machines with a grid walk at 3pm on Sunday ahead of their final race.

The final round of the Mini Challenge Clubsport series sees three races over both days while the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup will make a trip south to contest three rounds in its penultimate meeting of the season. The Mighty Mini Championship will provide some nostalgia for spectators as classic models line-up on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday sees the Heroes of FF1600 Sprint Cup for single seaters in its debut season with cars from the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s visiting Croft for their final outing of the year. Sunday will also see a special Mini Enduro event take place with qualifying followed by a 40-minute race whilst there will be track parades, the Paul Swift stunt display and a pit lane autograph session in the morning.

Off the track, children aged between 13 to 17 will have their chance to get behind the wheel of a Mini with the opportunity to learn to drive in the Croft Mini rally cars with other activities as well as a bar and gourmet street food being on offer.

Action gets underway at 9.30am on Saturday with practice and qualifying the opening race at 12.40pm whereas Sunday begins with a track parade at 10am with racing at midday following the pit lane autograph session at 11.10am.

Ticket prices are £18 for each day in advance for adults with children aged 15 and under admitted free, there is free car parking and free paddock access. For further information, contact Croft Circuit on 01325 721815 or you can book your tickets online a: croftcircuit.co.uk.