If you’re a motorsport fan – or just want to see something a little out of the ordinary, make sure that you make your way to Rushden town centre at 2pm on the 22nd of May – for the Rushden Powerfest!
This unique celebration of outrageous machinery parades through the town centre in order to promote the FIA Main Event which takes place at Santa Pod Raceway between the 28th and 31st of May. It’s a high-octane mix of powerful cars, motorbikes and dragsters pounding the tarmac in an unadulterated celebration of all things fast and loud!
David Lloyd Jones, Santa Pod’s General Manager commented ‘This is our little way of saying thanks to the local community and giving everybody the chance to see the simply incredible machines that race at Santa Pod Raceway. Last year’s Parade of Power event in Wellingborough was a great success as a real family event, so we thought it would be fun to hold something similar in Rushden. This year, being the events first, we’re hoping for good weather and to draw a good crowd so that we can do it again in future. It’s one not to miss!’
The event will feature dragsters, motorbikes and other machines parading through Rushden town centre. The route will be around the one way system in town from Duck Street, to Rectory Road, down Skinners Hill and back around again, avoiding all speed bumps. Any car enthusiasts with an unusual or interesting car are invited to send their details and car images to james@santapod.com in order to take part.
Martin Hill’s Fireforce 3 Jet Car will be making a special guest appearance in the static display along with Santa Pod Raceways own Top Fuel Dragster and Merchandising trailer.
Before and after the display, you will be able to find a selection of these monstrous machines on display in the High Street as a section of this will be closed off for the duration of the day.
Drivers will start their engines at 2pm, so make sure you get into town early to get a spot right near the front. Some of these cars have literally 1,000’s of horsepower, so you do not want to miss the action!
Between the hours of 1.30pm and 3.30pm the following rounds will be closed:
Rectory Road
Duck Street
High Street from Newton Road Junction to Station Road Junction
Newton Road from Rectory Road Junction to High Street South/Skinners Hill Junction
Skinners Hill from High Street South Junction to the Duck Street/Wellingborough Road Roundabout
Wellingborough Road from Duck Street Junction to Newton Road Junction (Skinners Hill)
Station Road from Rectory Road to High Street
Coffee Tavern Lane
Alfred Street
College Street
Victoria Road between Rectory Road and High Street
Queen Street between Rectory Road and High Street
Beaconsfield Place
West Street
John Street
Church Street
Orchard Place Car Park will also be closed all day.
We are sorry for any inconvenience but please make alternative arrangements.
Immediately after the Powerfest, Santa Pod Raceway will be gearing up for Europe’s most exciting Drag Racing season opener; The FIA Main Event! This hugely popular, televised event is the first round of the prestigious European Drag Racing Championship and features the largest race entry and most packed Motorsport event anywhere in Europe! Over 250 teams, and 16 race classes make this event unrivalled for both the quality and quantity of racing. Make it a date in your diary now! Friday 28th to Monday 31st May.
‘If you’ve ever wanted to run on our track, this has to be the cheapest way to do it!’ laughed Santa Pod’s general manager, David Lloyd Jones. ‘As the Fast Show fell on the day of Sport Relief’s official day, we thought this would be a fun way to try and raise a little extra money for them – and allow our guests to jog off their lunch! We’ve also got the Eurosport and Motors TV camera crews here covering the event, so as well as doing your bit for charity, who knows? You might end up on the telly as well!’