Top Gear Barbados! Lewis Hamilton to star in the Caribbean's first petrol-head festival

By Sarah Gordon

Published: 06:43 EST, 21 February 2014 | Updated: 10:54 EST, 12 March 2014

The Top Gear boys are known for staging stunts in exotic locations, so perhaps it is no surprise that they have decided to create a festival celebrating all things automobile in the Caribbean.

Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will be jetting off to Barbados in May for the island's inaugural Top Gear Festival.

And they're taking fellow petrol head and Caribbean fan Lewis Hamilton along for the ride.

Star of the show: Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he is attending the inaugural Top Gear Festival in Barbados

The Grand Prix ace, whose grandparents hail from the nearby island of Grenada, has confirmed that he will be the headliner for the Caribbean's first Top Gear event and will also take to the newly-refurbished Bushy Park Circuit to complete a series of challenges set by Clarkson and his team.

Speaking about the event, Hamilton said: 'I cannot wait to touch down in Barbados for the Top Gear Festival.

'I love the island and have been on the TV show a few times and always have a lot of fun, so I’m excited to experience the spirit of Top Gear at a live event. I can’t wait to see what Jeremy, James and Richard have in store for me.'

Paradise isle: Barbados is famous as the winter sun holiday spot of choice for the A-list

Barbados is normally famed as the hangout for celebrities seeking winter sunshine, but will be converted into a car-lover's paradise over the weekend of May 17 and 18, with live stunt driving, antics from The Stig, as well as multiple races and hair-raising challenges.

The Red Bull Global Rallycross will also hold the first round of their 2014 season at the festival, with some of their best drivers competing on the track, including Ken Block, Bucky Lasek and Scott Speed.

Tanner Foust, who co-hosts the US version of Top Gear, will also be attending in a bid to encourage American fans to try out the Caribbean event.

Tricks and treats: The Stig will also be in attendance for a whole new set of challenges

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to descend on the festival, with general admission tickets costing around £22, club house tickets around £59 and VIP tickets £149.

And British Airways is offering seven nights' accommodation in May at the Dover Beach Hotel from £649 per person, including flights from London.

Petra Roach, from the Barbados Tourism Authority, said: 'The addition of Hamilton to the already stellar line-up really does position Top Gear Festival Barbados as the ultimate event taking place in the Caribbean this summer. We’re incredibly excited to be sharing this news, but watch this space for even more announcements that will make it impossible for you to not want to attend!'

Visit www.topgearfestivalbarbados.com for more information. 

Top Gear presenters get revved up for festival in BARBADOS

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