Smart Festival 2009 - The Biggest, Best and Most Colourful Yet

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – September 11, 2009: The world’s biggest-ever single day gathering of smart owners is this Saturday (12th September). It is set to be a very memorable occasion for enthusiasts of the iconic brand, and a particularly colourful affair too.

At least 1,400 owners and their cars are expected to converge on Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey for the 2009 smart festival, which features: Live entertainment from pop sensation Steve Appleton and dance group Flava; smart-related attractions and competitions; and an exclusive preview of an exciting new product design concept being unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week.

The event will showcase examples from the new smart-BRABUS tailor made collection, which is being officially premiered in Germany. smart BRABUS tailormade gives smart fortwo owners the opportunity to individualise their vehicle with a selection of vivid colours and bespoke interiors. There will be thousands of combinations possible to suit every need.

To celebrate the launch of the smart BRABUS tailormade range, four cars will be displayed at the smart festival including a ‘Brooklands Special’ model, the Campbell Blue.

The vibrantly-coloured edition vividly pays homage to the iconic Bluebird land speed record cars, built and tested on site at Brooklands in the 1920s and 1930s. Malcolm Campbell, then the fastest man on earth, proudly built and drove the cars - and the Campbell workshops are still on-site at what is now the Brooklands Museum.

The Campbell Blue tailor made smart fortwo cabriolet mhd features the entire exterior of the car painted in the famous hue, plus: BRABUS twin daytime running lights; BRABUS illuminated side skirts; BRABUS black leather upholstery with blue stitching and piping, and special Union Flags embroidered on the seat backs; a BRABUS sports steering wheel, gear knob, handbrake grip and pedals; plus Campbell Blue interior accents.

Al Young, Chairman & Managing Director of thesmartclub, said, “The preview of the smart BRABUS tailormade range adds another exciting dimension to this year’s smart festival, which is the highlight in the smart calendar and is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

“Online registrations are 50 per cent up on last year and, with smart retailers around the country organising convoys of their own customers to the event, we’re confident the total number of attendees will easily surpass smart’s 10th anniversary celebration last year.”

Among the attractions at Saturday’s smart festival are performances by Flava, the hip-hop dance troop from the recent Britain’s Got Talent TV series, and upcoming pop star Steve Appleton, who has been the face and voice of smart’s advertising campaign on the European continent this year. There will also be competitions for ‘Most Modified’, ‘Best Kept’ and ‘Best Dressed’ smart, displays of the latest smart products and games involving smart driving such as ‘crazy golf’ and ‘egg and spoon’.

smart fans can still register to attend the festival at – www.thesmartfestival.com - or by calling thesmartclub on 0845 299 0332.

The smart range is available through the Mercedes-Benz retail network. For more information about smart log onto www.smart.com/uk. The smart social community website is www.destinationsmart.co.uk.