Share This Article
For those in the know, the Mini Festival at Brands Hatch is arguably one of the largest gatherings for Mini owners and fans of this iconic car brand, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Ever since owning my first Mini, I’ve wanted to attend. I’ve been to other mixed car events before, and it’s often disappointing to see visitors overlook the Mini displays in favour of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens. So, surely a festival dedicated entirely to Minis is the place to be?
As a non-club member and first-time attendee, I wasn’t quite sure about the ticketing process. While I knew I needed an admission ticket, I also chose to display my vehicle. Eager to attend this year, I secured my tickets back in March. I knew it was going to be a special year, as the festival is celebrating 65 years of Mini. However, I didn’t anticipate just how significant the event would be for me. My aim was simply to check out some cars.
In May, I unexpectedly received an email inviting me to participate in the 65th Anniversary celebration. I initially missed the email and only discovered the invitation while sifting through my junk folder—how could I refuse such an offer? At that stage, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d signed up for. It sounded exciting, and I almost overlooked the detail that all Minis involved in the celebration display would enjoy their 15 minutes of fame by participating in a free session on the circuit. Getting better? That’s how I left it. With the event not taking place until August, I just waited for my passes to arrive. I’d seen videos online of the lap at the end of the day, where participants don’t exceed 30 mph, so I assumed it would be something similar.
Staying at the Mercure Brands Hatch
The drive from Cardiff to the Brands Hatch circuit is roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes (183 miles). With a full day planned at the Mini Festival, I decided it would be a good idea to stay overnight to make the most of the experience.
Staying the night before made the most sense, as it was going to be a child-free weekend until Monday. Staying over on Sunday night and then rushing back in time didn’t seem justifiable. We chose the Mercure Brands Hatch due to its close proximity to the track. As the name suggests, it’s very close—what I didn’t expect was just how close. You’re essentially staying right at the entrance gate.
The hotel offers ample on-site parking on a first-come, first-served basis. We arrived around 3pm the day before, and since I’m a Mercure club member, parking was complimentary, which was a nice perk.
The hotel itself was clean and well-maintained, resembling any standard hotel on the outside. While this isn’t a full review, I must say it was a memorable stay. Like other Mercure hotels located near sports or music venues, this one had themed rooms, in keeping with its Brands Hatch setting.
In the foyer, you’ll immediately spot the Racing Bar, a motor-themed venue serving light bites and drinks. There’s even a full-sized motorbike in the middle of the seating area, and the walls are adorned with motorsport memorabilia. Although they weren’t offering a full menu during our stay, that was fine—we were happy to grab a quick bite and soak up the atmosphere.
Before long, the hotel car park started to fill up with Minis, which was pretty exciting. Many drivers were strolling around, catching glimpses of what they might see the next day. The atmosphere was electric.
The theming extended to the bedroom as well, as shown in our photo. The room was incredibly spacious, with several windows—some offering a direct view of the entrance to the race circuit. In the morning, I couldn’t imagine a better room with such a view; you could see the cars lining up, ready to go. There was an obvious sense of urgency over breakfast, with everyone eager to hop in their cars and join the action.
Getting on track
We had been given a hint of what to expect on the day, though most of us drivers remained largely in the dark until the final moments. In the days leading up to the event, we received emails instructing us to bring a helmet if we had one, or to borrow one if needed. We were also advised to have our arms and legs fully covered. Surely, this wouldn’t be necessary for a 30 mph lap?
After settling in and exploring the surroundings, by mid-morning, all drivers were invited to a briefing where we learned what our 15 minutes on track would entail. We were informed that track day rules would apply—essentially, we could drive as fast as we liked, as long as we stayed safe. The goal was to complete as many laps as possible within the time limit. I was in complete shock—excited but nervous, and most of the other drivers felt the same. There weren’t many of us participating (around 20 cars), and many, including myself, had never been on a track before.
We were instructed to be at our cars by a certain time to be led down to the race track. This involved a slow crawl to the ambulance gate, where we were then joined on the track by a BMW safety car, before heading to the pits and finally being released onto the circuit.
So, what did I think of the track experience?
It was an exhilarating and terrifying experience all at once. I’ve gained a newfound respect for racing drivers—it’s not as easy as they make it look. The Paddock Hill Bend is especially intense; you approach it very quickly after passing the start/finish line, and it’s much tighter than it appears. As you descend to Pilgrim’s Rise and glance in your rear-view mirror, all you see is the tarmac—it’s incredible!
The most thrilling part by far was speeding down the straight, reaching around 100 mph in front of a crowd of thousands. I tried not to think too much about my wife watching from above, as I needed to stay focused on the other drivers around me.
I found myself taking some corners a bit too quickly. Although I stayed on track the whole time, I ended up braking more often and harder than I should have. After a few laps, I could feel the brakes fading and starting to overheat. Eventually, I eased off the gas and let others pass me.
When we returned to the display stand, all the drivers were buzzing with adrenaline from the track. Everyone had stories to share, discussing what went well and what they’d do differently next time. I can’t imagine a better way to experience my first track day.
What did I learn from all this? My car isn’t exactly built for the track, though it handled well overall. The surface is completely different, and I realised I need to get better at controlling the car, especially with the paddle shifters. As I mentioned before, I have full respect for those who do this professionally.
Would I track it again? Absolutely, but with a few tweaks to the brakes. Next time, I’d aim to take it a bit easier and fully enjoy the experience of being out on the track, rather than worrying about being overtaken.
The Director’s Terrace
Although a bit pricey at £130 for two people, the Director’s Terrace undoubtedly provided some of the best views of the track. My wife watched from the balcony and kindly took photos of me and the Clubman while I was on track—thanks for that!
The ticket doesn’t include any drinks, and seating is open, so you can sit wherever you prefer. Upon entry, you receive a wristband, allowing you to come and go freely without having to show your ticket each time. This was particularly convenient when we bought food and drink, as it provided a comfortable place to sit while enjoying the racing.
There’s a handy café just through the door at the top, offering some of the cheapest drinks on site, which was quite convenient.
Overall, would I book the Director’s Terrace again? Definitely. However, I’d also explore other hospitality options to see if they offer a different perspective of the track.
Final thoughts
The Mini Festival was everything I’d hoped for. The atmosphere among fellow owners and enthusiasts was fantastic, and there were plenty of catering options, making the event feel comfortable without being too crowded or overwhelming. The racing on track was great fun to watch—I can still recall the smell of fuel and burning rubber!
The only downside was the 65th Anniversary Display. While I loved being part of it and would happily do it again, I was expecting a wider variety of cars. There were no GP3s, Pacemans, or other variants, which felt like a missed opportunity. In hindsight, I suspect that with so many clubs attending, drivers preferred to stay with their groups rather than park elsewhere, which is understandable—it’s all part of the camaraderie of being in a club.
Thanks for having me!
What did it all cost?
- Overnight stay at Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel – £159 (bed and breakfast)
- Raceday admission (adult) – £23
- Director’s Terrace – £130 (for two people)
- Display vehicle package – £11.50
- Programme voucher – £5
Excluding additional food, drink and merch purchases.
