Community events

RSP is committed to playing an active part in the Thanet community. Having supported numerous projects informally for many years, in 2019, RSP began to invest more formally in community projects with regenerative potential in East Kent and hosting events on the airport site until construction work can begin.

In 2025, we are hosting a wide variety of events, including the weekly market (more details here) and the following:

Event

Dates

Opening times

Further information

No Prep Drag Racing 12-13 April 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
Helix – Super cars & Helicopters 26 April 2025 10am to 4pm HelixAv
No Prep Drag Racing 3-4 May 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
Targa Rally 10 May 2025 9am – 4pm Black Palfrey Motor Club
Flying Quarter – 1/4 mile motor bike & car time trials 17-18 May 2025 9am to 6pm Flying Quarter
No Prep Drag Racing 7-8 June 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
Runbelievable Challenge – Runway Marathon 21 June 2025 7am – 6pm Runbelievable Challenge
Thanet Extravaganza 29 June 2025 9am – 6pm Academy FM
Slowest Race in the World – Car Event 19-20 July 2025 9am – 6pm Precise Driving School
No Prep Drag Racing 26-27 July 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
Manston International Airshow 16-17 August 9am – 6pm Manston International Airshow
No Prep Drag Racing 23-24 August 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
No Prep Drag Racing 13-14 September 2025 9am to 6pm No Prep Racing
Flying Quarter – 1/4 mile motor bike & car time trials 20-21 September 2025 9am to 6pm Flying Quarter
The Runway 100 24hr challenge 4-5 October 2025 9am to 6pm Runbelievable Challenge
Southern Counties 4×4 Safari (Time Trials) 25-26 October 2025 9am to 6pm Southern Counties Off Road Club

There will also be a boot fair at Manston from April 2025 onwards.

Other projects in which RSP is involved, or has supported in recent years, include:

2023: We were the proud sponsor for Ramsgate Town’s historic FA cup tie vs Woking FC

2023: Continued support for the Ramsgate FC holiday camps for youngsters eligible for the Government’s Free School Meals programme, including visits to the airfield and helicopter flights, donated by Helix AV

2022: A £750 donation to support the return of the RNLI fishing competition

2021: Contributing £10,000 to help the Monkton Nature Reserve Trust repair a broken water pipe and support its long-term development

2021: Supporting Ramsgate FC’s half term camp for youngsters eligible for the Government’s Free School Meals programme with a £16,000 donation and practical involvement – supported by community volunteers

2021: Supporting Ramsgate FC’s magical winter wonderland, with a £10,000 donation as part of our ongoing support of the club’s work to provide help for children in Thanet who need it most

2020: Making a £100,000 donation to AGE UK in Thanet, to help them to set up and staff a community hub, to ensure isolated, elderly and other Thanet residents were given vital support during the pandemic

2019: Supporting the Isle of Thanet Trees and Woods Initiative (ITTWI) initiative to plant more than 1,200 trees in Thanet with a £100,000 donation

Manston Skills and Employment Board (MSE-B)

RSP is also active in a number of projects to invest in the future skills and employment potential of the region.

In 2019, RSP created the Manston Skills and Employment Board (MSE-B) – which includes representation from local education and training organisations, business, local authorities and other key stakeholders, to ensure people from East Kent have the right skills to take the wide range of jobs that will be created by the reopening of Manston.

The MSE-Board considers the future employment and skills needs of the airport following DCO approval, from planning and construction through to operation. The aim of the MSE-B is to ensure that Manston and associated businesses will have access to well-trained and experienced potential employees across a diverse range of skillsets. The MSE-B will do this by ensuring a comprehensive range of services are available to young people, job seekers and employers in the area around the airport. In 2020, just prior to the pandemic, the Manston Skills and Employment Board (MSE-B) attended the annual ‘Big Bang’ STEM event at Discovery Park, briefing students on RSP’s plans for Manston – and the wide range of potential careers that they could consider in the aviation sector.