Drive-in heralds new Rockingham era
The first drive-in movie held at Rockingham Motor Speedway has been hailed a huge success
Picture: Rockingham Motor Speedway
The first drive-in movie held at Rockingham Motor Speedway has been hailed a huge success by its organisers.
Around 350 cars attended the oval circuit's first drive-in movie on September 9, following a weekend of racing. There they tuned into the classic musical chosen by the readers of the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph in what was dubbed OvalFest.
Grease certainly proved to be a popular choice with some movie-goers turning up in a number of American classic cars including a Cadillac and there was a special appearance from the Pink Ladies.
Event organiser Mark Bond said: “OvalFest as a whole has been a success and the drive-in movie lived up to its billing as a great way to relax after an action-packed day of racing and family entertainment.”
More than 12,000 people enjoyed the action-packed weekend, which featured 10 different classes of machines such as stock cars, hot rods, V8 SCSA cars, trucks and retro-style Legends Cars.
Expanding popularity
The event comes as Rockingham's new owners seek to expand the popularity of the Northamptonshire oval and widen its audience base. Corby Developments Limited acquired the majority shareholding of Rockingham in late 2005 and has since implemented a £5 million development plan to transform it into the UK’s most modern, purpose-built motor sport facility.
Critical to Rockingham’s recent success has been the rapid expansion of its facilities beyond the original oval race track. As well as adding multiple in-field race circuit configurations, fresh investment has resulted in new 4x4 off-road courses, a challenging rally stage and a city driving course. Rockingham also now boasts extensive, modern conference and banqueting facilities, which can cater for up to 500 delegates.
The development work shows no sign of abating – an all-new, state-of-the-art wet grip test facility is opening in autumn this year, and all of this investment is already reaping rewards. The site has attracted a record number of corporate customers in 2006, and the facility’s financial performance is now ahead of all targets.
Meanwhile, Rockingham will be among the exhibitors at this month’s National Venue Show for the second consecutive year.
The annual three-day event is being held at the NEC in Birmingham between 19 and 21 September, and is expected to attract hundreds of visitors from all over the country.
Rockingham’s experienced Corporate Sales team will be manning stand M69 to promote the circuit’s corporate driving days and conferencing & banqueting facilities.
