I am not a petrolhead. I don’t drive. I have no real interest in cars. If asked to describe a car, colour is the only characteristic I can generally recall. And yet one of the best weekends I’ve ever had was in Indianapolis for the Indy 500 – pretty much car central.

The Indy 500 (the race takes place in Indianapolis and covers 500 miles) is known as the ‘Greatest Spectacle In Racing’ and it truly is. The annual event, first held in 1909, is the world’s biggest spectator sporting event in terms of attendance. Close to half a million people fill the stands and the surrounding fields. The whole city is caught up in Indy 500 fever and the carnival atmosphere has to be felt to be believed. How can you not love somewhere that celebrates ‘Carb Day’ (actually short for Carburetion nevermind – the last practice session for the drivers)

It is the only professional sport that I can think of where females and males compete on the same field at the same time. I’ve been lucky enough to see Pippa Mann’s debut, the first British female driver to take part and Danica Patrica, the most successful female driver in the history of the race.

Have you been to the Indy 500? What did you think?