Top Travel Guide

2012 looks set to be a fantastic year for motor racing fans, with intense competition being promised in almost all the major categories.

Not only is there the promise of six Formula One World Champions competing on the same piece of tarmac for the first time, but there is also the return of Toyota to Le Mans and the introduction of a brand new chassis in Indycar for the first time since 2003.

There really has never been a better year for travelling to motor sport events.  We therefore take a look the top destinations for petrol heads over the course of 2012.

Monaco Grand Prix
Destination: Monaco, Monte-Carlo
Date: 24-27 May 2012

The Grand Prix of Monte Carlo is one of the only places on the calendar that accurately reflects the ethos of Formula One; combining a high risk and challenging driving environment with unrivalled glamour. It is also one of the best places on the calendar for getting a feel for the actual speeds that are obtained by drivers as they travel at over 150mph within inches of the unforgiving barriers. Three times World Champion Nelson Piquet once famously equated it “riding a bicycle around your living room”.

If you going to visit any Formula One Grand Prix in 2012, then this should be the one. This year’s event looks set to be a cracker with eight former winners contesting the event. Fernando Alonso came close to victory last season, but Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel helped ensure that the Renault/Mercedes domination of the event continued (the last time a car not powered by a Renault or Mercedes engine won the event was 2003). It also means that there have now been five different winners of the event in the past five years thanks to the unpredictable nature of the race.

However, bear in mind that it doesn’t come cheap. While ticket prices for the race are unsurprisingly high; the cost of food and drinks in the surrounding area tends to be inflated in time for the arrival of the F1 circus. Don’t be surprised to find bars where bottles of bear cost 40 euros each.

Le Mans 24 hours
Destination: Le Mans, Pays de le Loire, France
Date: 16-17 June 2012

The Le Mans 24 hours weekend is the ultimate lad’s holiday. Setting off across the channel and setting up camp right next to the circuit with the noise of the engines booming in the background throughout the night surely is every petrol heads dream.

However if you are planning on taking your car abroad in order to complete the trek, it is important not to forget about certain key requirements such as car insurance and breakdown cover. Although the majority of providers will provide the same levels of cover as what would be experienced at home for a limited number of days; this is by no means guaranteed and may not be provided at all with some providers. It is therefore recommended that you check on the cover that will receive for both of these requirements and opt for dedicated short-term European breakdown cover or car insurance policies if your existing policy is not sufficient to cover your requirements or the length of your trip.

This might all sound very complicated, but it is certainly worth the hassle in order to experience the atmosphere in one of the sport’s most challenging events. With Toyota having commission its former F1 team to produce a petrol hybrid vehicle to take on the might Audi and Peugeot teams in 2012; competition at the front of the field looks likely to be more intense in 2012 than it has been for many years.

Indy 500
Destination: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Date: 27th May 2012

Indycar might not have either the domestic or international following that it had in its heyday during the early 1990s, but its flagship event still proves to be a major draw for motor sport fans. Always exciting an unpredictable; the event takes place on the famous brick-yard Indianapolis circuit which is engrained in motorsport history.

Although restrictive contracts mean that the event is no longer a draw for F1 drivers; it was once an annual pilgrimage for many of the sports greats including Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill. This history can still be felt at the event today, with close by Hall of Fame Museum housing many of the race winning cars from the past, including the Marmon Wasp which was driven to victory by Ray Harroun in the inaugural event in 1911. This is certainly worth a visit if you have made the trek to the event.

Last year’s event was won for the second time by Britain’s Dan Wheldon who tragically lost his life in the season ending Las Vegas event. Wheldon had been instrument in the development of the new chassis which is being used by all teams for the first time in 2012. Not only is driver safety much improved, but more competitive racing is also promised. There is also much anticipation surrounding the return of engine manufacturer competition; with Lotus and Chevrolet joining Honda for this season. Expect the usual running order to be shaken out of all recognition with Lotus tipped to have produced a far lighter powerplant than their competitors.

However, there is one problem. The race is scheduled to take place on the same weekend as the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, meaning that it would be logistically impossible to attend both races.