The Silverstone Classic, firmly established as “the world’s biggest classic racing festival,” celebrates 21 years since its inception this July 22-24. This is the event that started the British boom in historic racing festivals. Under the same management that successfully ran the event last year, an entry of 1200 drivers and 800 cars in 22 races is promised. A flavor of what to expect was presented to the media at a test session in early May.
The races include Grand Prix Masters from 1968-’82, Group C prototypes from 1983-’91, Historic GP cars pre ’61 and pre ’68, World Sportscar Masters for prototypes and GT cars up to 1974, a special Jaguar E-Type challenge to celebrate 50 years of this iconic British sportscar, FIA Formula Junior, Touring cars and a range of GT counters. This will be the first event to make use of both the national and international pit complexes on the revised Grand Prix facility, with some grids housed in the spectacular “Wing,” the brand-new Formula One pits complex. Some grids are expected to feature as many as 58 cars.
Adding to the festival atmosphere will be a gathering of around 7,000 classic cars brought together by the owners clubs, an air display and a wide-range of off-track attractions with the emphasis on something for all the family. A celebrity challenge race in Morgans and live concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings are also in the program.
Advance tickets are available at www.SilverstoneClassic.com.
By Keith Booker
