AC/DC front man to rock the Croft Nostalgia Weekend

31/07/2014 11:24 Share

AC/DC rock legend Brian Johnson will be competing at the Croft circuit's Nostalgia Weekend on August 2-3.

Johnson, witnessed his first motor race at the Croft circuit back in the '60s and is scheduled to return next month to race a Mini at the event.

The Florida-based Englishman originally from Tyne and Wear famous for such rock anthems as 'Highway to Hell' and 'Back in Black' will take to the circuit in the Historic Touring Cars class behind the wheel of a 1964 Mini Cooper that he purchased late last year.

Johnson has been competing in historic events in the United States and Europe for the past couple of decades and has also appeared as the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' on cult BBC motoring show 'Top Gear' and sat on top of the leaderboard for most of 2013.

He said: "Having got my initial taste of live motor racing at Croft, I jumped at the chance to race at the Nostalgia Weekend. I was recently one of the drivers in a Porsche 911 that finished first-in-class and 20th overall at the Le Mans Classic, but it'll be quite a departure from that car's big fat tyres and rear wing to the little Mini I'll be driving at the event.

"As a circuit, Croft is a complete step into the unknown for me and I've been told it's quite a challenge, so I'm fully expecting a big learning curve and to get my backside royally kicked by the Nostalgia regulars!"

Croft circuit manager Mike Cantelo said: "Just when I didn't think this year's Nostalgia Weekend could possibly get any better, to receive a 'phone call from Brian Johnson saying he plans to come along and compete was just incredible!

"Brian is clearly a complete petrol-head, and I'm sure he will have a fantastic time not only racing his Mini in the Historic Touring Cars class, but also seeing some of the superb classic racing and non-racing machinery we'll have here at the weekend. A tremendous addition to an already magnificent line-up!"

Tickets for Croft's Nostalgia Weekend cost £13 for Saturday entry, £18 for Sunday or £23 for a weekend pass and can be purchased on the gate.

Accompanied children aged 15 and under go free.

A full provisional racing timetable can be found at: http://www.croftcircuit.co.uk/timetables/nostalgia-2014.pdf

by: Danielle Bagnall