The biggest, the best . . . and the wacky racers!

If you missed out on tickets for the Olympics, you can still enjoy the thrill of seeing world winners and record holders close-up.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is famous around the world for its collection of some of the most exhilarating and important vehicles in motoring history . . . as well as some of its wacky racers.

So if you can’t get a grandstand view at the 2012 Olympics, visit Beaulieu in the New Forest to see:

• The Fastest

The World Land Speed Record-Breaking Bluebird. Donald Campbell’s iconic car looks like no other. It broke the world Land Speed Record on the salt plain of Lake Eyre in South Australia in 1964 with a speed of 403.10mph.

• The First

The 1899 Daimler was the first car to be driven into the House of Commons Yard – by John Montagu, sitting MP for the New Forest. It was also the first all-British entry in a foreign road race, the Paris-Ostend event, in which it finished third in the Tourist Class. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, had one of his first ever motor rides in this car.

• The Biggest

With 50 vehicles on display, BOND IN MOTION is the largest official collection of original Bond vehicles the world has ever seen. The exhibition, which runs throughout 2012, could be the only chance to see these vehicles on display together

• The Oldest

Slow but sure, the Grenville Steam Carriage is the earliest self-propelled passenger-carrying road vehicle still running and can reach a speed of 20mph on the flat! In addition to the driver, it can carry four passengers with a fireman seated in the engine compartment to fire the boiler and maintain the water level.

• The Most Famous

Del Boy’s yellow three-wheeler the Reliant Regal became an unmissable star in top-rating hit comedy Only Fools and Horses. It was sole transport for the Trotter family and although it was only 50 cubic feet, managed to cram 16 people in when one was raced around Mallory Park!

• The Only Flyer

Arthur Weasley’s ‘Flying’ Ford Anglia made famous in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Now owned by Rupert Grint, who plays his son Ron Weasley, the blue flyer is on loan to the National Motor Museum.

• The Wackiest

The wackiest orange you’re ever likely to see – the Mini Outspan Orange which was made from a special fibre glass body built on to the frame of a Mini.

• The Funniest Racer

In real life comic genius Rowan Atkinson is an accomplished historic racing car driver but on show is his alter ego Mr Bean’s dilapidated yellow-Mini.

• The Trend Setter

The 1903 Napier Gordon Bennett was the first to wear British Racing Green – and began the most famous colour in racing history. Britain had to choose a different colour to its usual red, white and blue when they had already been taken by Italy, Germany and France respectively in the Gordon Bennett Cup.

Tickets to Beaulieu include entry to the National Motor Museum, BOND IN MOTION – the world’s largest James Bond vehicle exhibition and World of Top Gear as well as the high-level Monorail and open-topped London Bus to travel around Beaulieu’s sights, plus Palace House – the Montagu family home and 13th century Beaulieu Abbey. www.beaulieu.co.uk/

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