The most exciting, ambitious and complex motoring event ever to be staged in Glasgow attracted passionate visitors to each day of the festival, which featured the Red Bull Racing RB7 Formula One car, leading motoring personalities including David Coulthard, Mark Webber and Jimmy McRae and tame racing driver: The Stig.
IGNITION Event Director, Jeremy Vaughan, said the combination of motor sport heroes, stunning cars in action, coupled with a vibrant motor show had been a huge hit with Scotland’s passionate motoring crowds.
“Scotland’s rich heritage in motoring and passion for motor sport helped make the 2016 IGNITION event a major success for all involved,” he added.
“David Coulthard and Jimmy McRae are legends in Scotland and the fact they and Mark Webber mingled with the crowds made the event very special indeed.
“We were so encouraged by the attendance, the personalities and the support we received from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Event Scotland, the SECC and the media.
“The feedback from all the exhibitors and sponsors has been overwhelming, which has already shown in their commitment to next year’s event. Visitors flocked into the halls to see over 20 marquees represented by dealers and manufacturers, plus a wide variety of products, services and luxury goods all creating an annual destination as the leading motor show in Scotland.”
Over the three days, Mark Webber, the 2015 World Endurance Champion and winner of nine Formula One Grands Prix, took to the street circuit on Friday and was guest of honour at the show’s opening evening where he told tales of his Formula One experience and participated in a lively Q&A session with the audience.
David Coulthard was man of the hour across Saturday and Sunday, bringing a Red Bull Racing motoring experience to his native fans at IGNITION in the iconic RB7 on roads snaking between the SECC and the nearby SSE Hydro Arena.
One of the major names in Scottish motor sport – five times British Rally champion Jimmy McRae –inaugurated the IGNITION Street Circuit, driving Colin McRae’s famous Subaru Impreza world championship winning rally car, which was on display throughout the festival. Thrills were also injected across the weekend from Boyzone member Shane Lynch with Team Japspeed, Gordon ‘Flash’ Shedden, the double and reigning BTCC Champion and Welsh rally legend David Llewellin in the rapide Audi Quattro S1.
Further highlights included power laps by tame racing driver The Stig, dazzling displays of classic cars, motorcycles and memorabilia, plus homages paid to some of the world’s finest motor sporting heroes. The Top Gear Stunt Team, led by Paul Swift, performed in front of packed out audiences.
Joe Aitken, Head of Major Events at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “IGNITION was the most exciting, ambitious and complex motor show ever to be staged in Scotland and it was the sheer scale of this high-octane festival which proved so appealing.
“From the creation of Scotland’s first-ever Formula One street circuit and a stellar line up of some of the biggest names in world motorsport to a truly remarkable collection of supercars and bikes, classic cars and the Top Gear stunt team, IGNITION took over every part of our state-of-the-art SECC complex; demonstrating the unrivalled capacity and flexibility that this now world-class event campus can offer.
“Glasgow’s global profile as a diverse, vibrant and world-class major events city has never been greater. Today, we’re recognised by organisers of some of the world’s biggest events – and widely respected by the events industry at large – as a city with the expertise, excellence and innovation to deliver show-stopping events that pack a real punch for audiences.”
Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: We are delighted to have supported the IGNITION Festival of Motoring in its inaugural year. The festival has been a great success, providing a fantastic weekend of high-speed action and excitement for spectators. IGNITION brings great benefits to Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, generating economic impact and positioning the country as the perfect stage for motorsport events.”
IGNITION Festival of Motoring is set to return to Scotland in August 2017. For more information on the event, including how to sign up to the newsletter, please visit
www.ignitionfestival.co.uk.
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