Jersey International Motoring Festival 2026: Hill Climbs, Stunts & Visitor Guide

The Jersey International Motoring Festival (JIMF) returns in early June 2026 — the Channel Islands' biggest free motorsport event, spread across five days with the Westmount Hillclimb on Victoria Avenue, the Active Arena at Victoria Park (wheelies, donuts, rally cars), classic-car displays and the historic Bouley Bay Hill Climb just up the road.

What is the Jersey International Motoring Festival?

JIMF is the Channel Islands' largest free-to-attend motorsport festival. Run by the Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club with island-wide partners, it gathers Jersey's motoring past and present into one long weekend of competitive sprints, hill climbs, demonstration stunts, classic-car shows and family events. 2026 marks an extra day, with a launch event taking the festival into the town centre for the first time.

JIMF 2026 — the headline events

• Town-centre launch — opening evening in central St Helier, displays and meet-the-driver sessions.
• Westmount Hillclimb — competitors race from West Park up towards Overdale in a timed hill-climb, lining Victoria Avenue with spectators.
• Active Arena (non-competitive) — Victoria Park hosts high-octane stunt sessions: wheelies, donuts, drift cars, rally-car demos, motorbike speed runs and go-karts.
• Bouley Bay Hill Climb — the 0.92-mile coastal hill climb, in its 99th running for 2026. Spectator areas are free; the route is hairpin-rich and one of the most photogenic motorsport venues anywhere.
• Classic-car concours — open displays across the festival, with Jersey-owned cars from the 1930s onward.

All events are free to spectate. Paddock access at the hill-climb venues is open — bring ear protection if you stand close.

How to get to the venues from Jersey Airport

Three of the headline venues are within 6 km of Jersey Airport (JER). Bouley Bay is on the north coast, a 17-minute drive. Pre-book a fixed-price oHoTaxis transfer rather than queue at the rank — JIMF weekend triples local taxi demand and the rank can be cleared by 10 am on competition mornings.

• JER → West Park / Westmount Hillclimb — £36 saloon (~12 min)
• JER → Victoria Park (Active Arena) — £36 saloon (~10 min)
• JER → Bouley Bay Hill Climb — £48 saloon (~17 min, north-coast hairpins)
• JER → Saint Helier town-centre launch — £36 saloon (~12 min)

All include free meet-and-greet, child seats and waiting time. Book at ohotaxis.com with country set to Jersey.

Best spectator spots

• Westmount — the steep mid-section gives the best view of cars at full pull. The West Park end is the start line if you want grid action.
• Bouley Bay — Hairpin 2 (~⅓ up the hill) is the classic photo spot. The natural amphitheatre at the top is the safest for families.
• Victoria Park Active Arena — purpose-built grandstand seating; arrive 30 min early for a kerbside view of the stunt circle.

Where to stay

St Helier hotels (Pomme d'Or, Grand Jersey, Radisson Blu, Royal Yacht) put you in walking distance of Westmount and Victoria Park, and 17 min by taxi from Bouley Bay. For petrolheads who want to walk to the Bouley Bay course, the Old Court House Inn at Gorey is the closest cluster — 12 min by taxi from the hairpin.

FAQs

When is JIMF 2026?

Early June (the first weekend of the month, extended to 5 days for 2026). Final timing is published at jimf.je nearer the date.

Is it free?

Yes — JIMF is a free spectator event. Some paddock-tour and hospitality add-ons are ticketed.

Can children attend?

Yes — the Active Arena and classic-car concours are family-focused. Hearing protection is recommended for the hill climbs.

Is Bouley Bay only during JIMF?

No — the Bouley Bay Hill Climb has 4 runs across the year (Easter Monday, Liberation Day 9 May, National Hill Climb 14 July, August Bank Holiday). JIMF coincides with the festival run.

Plan your JIMF trip

Fly in Thursday, catch the town-centre launch Friday, Westmount Saturday, Bouley Bay Sunday. Pre-book your Jersey Airport transfer and a return airport drop — the post-event rush at Bouley Bay can leave you waiting 40 minutes for a walk-up cab. Free child seats on every booking.