Making Up For Lost Time: The Apex 2021 Events Calendar
It’s nothing new to say that it’s been a torrid old time for car enthusiasts over the past year. However every cloud has a chrome lining, and with the motoring world beginning to wake up again, we thought it would be useful to run through our list of essential events taking place in what is looking like quite a crowded remainder of 2021.
From historic racing meets to hillclimbs, concours events, retro petrolhead shindigs and iconic races, this is our humble (and incomplete) list of places to be and races to see, with a focus on domestic events in the UK. As we have learned recently, dates and locations are subject to change at short notice, and despite the best efforts of medical science and the general public, delays and postponements are always a possibility. At the time of writing however, these are the events we’ve got to look forward to in the coming months. We hope to see many of you in attendance - although if you could not overtake us on the track, that would also be appreciated!
Please visit the page for each event and/or organisation to see important information, additional activities, as well as any COVID compliance procedures which will apply. We encourage subscribers to take sensible precautions when returning to events this year - your safety is our priority!
April
23 - 25 April - 12th Edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique
24 April - Prescott Speed Hill Climb - British and Midland Hill Climb Championships (please see this link for details of other 2021 Hill Climb competitions at this venue)
24 - 25 April - Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) - Herefordshire Trial
May
1 - 2 May - Donington Historic Festival (including grid from Motor Racing Legends)
Includes the brand new Amon Cup, a one-make historic race series for the Ford GT40 running in pre-’66 spec.
1 - 2 May - Shelsley Walsh - Speed Into Spring Hill Climb (please see this link for details of other 2021 Hill Climb competitions at this venue)
2 May - VSCC - Curborough Speed Trials
9 May - VSCC - Wiscombe Park Hill Climb
20 - 23 May - 78th Monaco Grand Prix
The Grand Prix every driver really, really wants to win.
20 - 23 May - Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
22 - 23 May - Historic Sports-Car Club (HSCC) - Silverstone Grand Prix Meeting
29 - 30 May - Masters Historic Festival, Brands Hatch
30 May - Prescott Italia
29 May - 3 June - Peter Auto - Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille
June
3 - 6 June - ADAC Total Nürburgring 24h
Our favourite gruelling endurance race, and usually very entertaining to watch on television.
4 - 6 June - Peter Auto - Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or 2021
5 June - VSCC - Harewood Hill Climb
5 - 6 June - Bicester Heritage - June Scramble
Family and dog friendly, the Scramble is a wonderful way to while away the weekend hours in the company of some spectacular machines at the best-preserved WW2 RAF Bomber Station in the country. Bicester Heritage events always make for excellent photo opportunities too.
5 - 6 June - HSCC - Cadwell Park Meet
8 - 10 June - London Concours at the Honourable Artillery Company
Small but perfectly formed, the London Concours takes place at the heart of the City of London on the HAC’s meticulously maintained lawns.
12 - 13 June - Motor Racing Legends - Thruxton Historic
16 - 19 June - 1000 Miglia
The classic Italian road race and a favourite of past Apex interviewee David Gandy.
19 June - VSCC - Cadwell Park Race Meeting
25 - 27 June - London Classic Car Show
This years’ edition takes place at Syon Park rather than at Kensington Olympia, to allow for proper distancing as restrictions come to an end.
26 - 27 June - HSCC - Donington Park Meet
July
3 - 4 July - Peter Auto - Historic Racing at the Circuit Bugatti, Le Mans
4 July - VSCC - Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb
10 July - VSCC - Oulton Park Race Meeting
8 - 11 July - Goodwood - Festival of Speed
With a theme of ‘The Maestros – Motorsport’s Great All-Rounders’, this FoS will be Goodwood’s salute to those in the automotive world, not just drivers and riders, but teams and manufacturers who never allowed themselves to be bound to any one discipline throughout their careers.
8 - 11 July - Retro Classics Stuttgart
9 - 11 July - HSCC - The Legends of Brands Super Prix Weekend
A fresh format for 2021 promises, for the first time, use of both the Indy and Grand Prix circuit layouts for the HSCC at this hugely popular venue.
16 - 18 July - F1 British Grand Prix 2021, Silverstone
Lewis has to win this one, surely - but we feel Max Verstappen will have something to say about that.
16 - 18 July - Auto Royale Waddesdon Concours d’Elegance
16 - 18 July - Masters Historic Grand Prix, Zandvoort
17 - 18 July - Shelsley Walsh - Classic Nostalgia Meeting
23 - 25 July - Peter Auto - Nogaro Classics 2021
30 July - 1 August - Silverstone Classic
A festival weekend for the whole family, including five grids from Motor Racing Legends and grids from Masters Historic Racing as well as the HSCC.
August
7 August - Bentley Drivers Club Silverstone
7 - 8 August - VSCC - Prescott Hill Climb
13 - 15 August - Nürburgring - AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix
13 - 15 August - Bicester Heritage - Retro Carfest
Taking you back to a time when cars were cooler, sweets were tastier, flares were wider, video games were harder and everyone wanted to ride a chopper…
15 August - Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
21 - 22 August - 89th Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Pushed back to later in the year to allow for fan attendance, this edition will see the debut of the Le Mans Hypercar class and, hopefully, an epic duel between pugilistic New York privateers Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and mighty Le Mans veterans Toyota Gazoo Racing.
20 - 22 August - Masters Historic Grand Prix, Zolder
22 August - VSCC - Mallory Park Race Meeting
28 - 30 August - HSCC - Oulton Gold Cup
29 August - Shelsley Walsh - ‘The Hill’ Supercar Fest
September
1 - 5 September - Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance
Describing itself as ‘the UK's most exclusive motor show and summer social fixture’, you’ll find us ironing our chinos and preparing our finest headgear weeks in advance.
3 - 5 September - Hampton Court Concours of Elegance
10 - 12 September - Peter Auto - Vallelunga Classic
11 - 12 September - VSCC - Loton Park Hill Climb
17 - 19 September - Goodwood - The Revival
Motor racing as it used to be and a highlight for many classic car fans. The Revival is the only historic race meeting to be staged entirely in period dress, and sees a return to the halcyon days of Goodwood as the spiritual home of British motor racing. You’ll catch us putting on a show for the crowd with daring moves up the inside at Woodcote...
18 September - HSCC - Mallory Park Club Racing
25 September - VSCC - Prescott Long Course Hill Climb
October
1 - 3 October - Spa Francorchamps Six Hours (including grids from Motor Racing Legends and Masters Historic Racing, as well as HSCC)
1 - 3 October - Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2021
The highlight of the European concours calendar, moved in exceptional times to an autumnal time slot.
2 October - VSCC - Castle Combe Autumn Classic
8 - 10 October - Peter Auto - Estoril Classics 2021
9 - 10 October - VSCC - Welsh Trial
16 - 17 October - Goodwood - 78th Members’ Meeting
Members and fellows of the Goodwood Road Racing Club get together for a spectacular coda to the year. Expect everything from Edwardian racers to ‘70s and ‘80s touring cars given a proper thrashing around the historic track.
16 - 17 October - HSCC - Championship Finals at Silverstone National
22 - 24 October - Masters Historic Racing - Jerez Historic Festival
29 - 30 October - Masters Historic Racing - Algarve Classic Festival
30 - 31 October - Motor Racing Legends - Silverstone GP Meeting
31 October - VSCC - Brooklands Driving Test
November
7 November - London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
13 November - VSCC - Lakeland Trial
20 November - VSCC - Cotswold Trial
The word from insiders for this event is “the muddier the better”, apparently...