The Silverstone Classic, Europe’s biggest classic motorsport festival, returns to the World Famous Grand Prix venue from 26th-28th July. A full three-day programme of on-track activity gets underway with qualifying for all classes on Friday with racing taking place Saturday and Sunday. The entertainment does not stop there as there will be live music on the stage Friday and Saturday until late while the in-field will be filled with an array of displays from car clubs and manufacturers.

Racing

The event offers something for everyone, no matter what your particular favourite may me. The single seater races will see two races for the HGPCA Pre-66 Grand prix cars, from a time when national colours decided the cars appearance rather than sponsors. Expect to see the likes of Cooper, Maserati, Ferrari, Brabham and Lotus on track along with less well-known names like Scarab and Alta. A first for the Classic this year will see races for the Historic Formula Three, Historic Formula Two and FIA Historic Formula One all on the same race-card. The Formula Three cars will be from the era of drivers like Brundle, Senna, Piquet and Warwick covering the years between 1971 and 1984. The Formula Two cars are from the 1967 – 1978 time period and will see cars from Lotus, Matra, March, Brabham and Chevron as driven by the likes of Stewart, Hill, Scheckter, Rindt and Peterson. Sport scar fans will have no less than seven different grids racing during the weekend ranging from the Bentley Trophy for pre-war sports cars up to the Masters Endurance Legends making a popular return following their debut last year. The HSCC Thundersports, formerly Pre-80 sports cars, will also be a popular formula making a return to the classic. The tin-top fans will not be left out either with three grids racing. Celebrating the Mini’s 60th Anniversary there will be two twenty-minute races, one each day, for Pre-66 built Minis where a capacity grid is expected for what should be some good close racing. The Transatlantic Trophy for Pre-66 touring cars will again return as will the Historic Touring Car Challenge which will see the likes of Ford Capris, Rovers, Metros, Sierra Cosworths and BMWs taking part. There will also be demonstration runs by the Moto GP Legends who will include former World Champions Wayne Gardner, Phil Read MBE and Freddie Spencer joined by Steve Parrish, Maria Costello, Jeremy McWilliams, Peter Hickman, John Reynolds and Tommy Hill.

Anniversaries and Car Clubs

A number of anniversaries will be celebrated at the Silverstone Classic along with displays from car clubs covering marques from the Ford and Vauxhall to Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche. Some of the celebrations include The 50th anniversary of the Ford Capri, Centenary of Bentley, 60th anniversary of the Mini, 50th anniversary of Sir Jackie Stewart’s first World Championship win.

Other attractions will include the annual auction of cars and memorabilia held by Silverstone Auctions, The supercar showcase in the paddock, the traditional village green with trade stands and food vendors along with the big wheel. Young visitors between the age of 10 and 16 years old will have the chance to drive a Vauxhall Corsa courtesy of the Young Drive facility once again.

This year the live music on offer will have the theme Celebrating Woodstock with full line-ups on stage Friday and Saturday. Acts will include some of the best tribute bands for artists that performed at the legendary Woodstock music festival.

Tickets for the Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance, further details can be found by visiting www.sliverstoneclassic.com

Photos from media and test day can be viewed here; https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2309475275986618

Photos from 2018 can be seen here ; https://www.facebook.com/pg/Snap-magcom-2061747147426100/photos/?ref=page_internal

Gary Malkin