The organisers of the Silverstone Classic (Powered by the AA)
held a Media and Competitors Test Day at the Silverstone Circuit
on Wednesday 08 May, to provide an appetiser of what to expect
at the track over the weekend of 26 - 28 July. The gathering will
feature 24 races over the weekend, spanning eight decades of
motor sport, together with a host of off track attractions. These
include numerous one marque car club displays, market areas, a
Silverstone auction, children’s activity zones and funfair, aerial
displays and live music concerts on the Friday and Saturday
evenings, with another on the Sunday afternoon. It has really
established itself as a family friendly event, without detracting
from its raison d’etre, classic motor racing.
It has attracted a broad range of cars to the various grids, many of
which are already oversubscribed for the maximum 58 cars
allowed to start, and equally pre-sales of tickets are at record
levels for what promises to be another spectacular event.
Anniversaries to be celebrated will include 50 years of the Lotus
Cortina, and the 50th anniversary of Scottish F1 legend, Jim
Clark’s first World Drivers’ Championship. To mark this occasion
there will be a special dinner in his honour on the Friday evening,
open to BRDC members and competitors, although a few tickets
will be on general sale, so book early, and will feature memories
from those who worked with him and knew him, plus a display of
cars, trophies and memorabilia. As part of the media day, fellow
Scot, and self confessed admirer of Jim Clark’s talent, which
inspired him, ex-F1 driver, David Coulthard, drove a number of
laps in an Ex-Clark Lotus 25, and each time he returned to the
pits, he was like a dog with two tails, revelling in the opportunity
to drive such a historically significant machine. He obviously
enjoyed himself, and was effusive in his praise of the delicate
handling of the car, and of those who drove them in period.
The event will also celebrate three other important automobile
milestones with parades, the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911
model, Aston Martin’s centenary and 50 Years of Lamborghini. To
date over 800 Porsche 911 owners have registered for the parade,
appropriately one hundred Aston Martins will take to the track for
their parade, and over 100 Lamborghinis have already signed up
for their appearance on track. Naturally there will be massive
static display areas for all these models, apart from the always
impressive displays by other clubs, and manufactures in the
Motorfair area, where they will display their latest models
alongside their heritage.
There is one important change from previous years - ALL
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE! Aside from that
it is business as usual, with entrance tickets providing access to
all public areas including the paddocks, grandstands, and the live
music concerts.
Further information, ticket prices, etc, can be found at
www.silverstoneclassic.com
|
