The Classic at Silverstone Celebrates 30th Birthday
The countdown to The Classic at Silverstone is underway and the three-day festival is bigger than ever to celebrate the event’s postponed 30th Birthday. There will be no less than 21 spectacular showdowns and 61 starters racing back to the golden ages of Formula One, Sportscars, GTs, Single-Seaters and Touring Cars, on the iconic Grand Prix circuit at the home of British Motor Racing.
As part of the festival’s ‘Greatest Hits’ programme, special guest Damon Hill will reunite with his 1996 World Championship winning Williams FW18 for some high-octane, fun-fuelled laps of Silverstone. Father and son duo Martin and Alex Brundle are also set to contest the 60th Anniversary E-Type Challenge against renowned racers including 24 Hours of Le Mans winners Guy Smith, Andre Lotterer and Emmanuel Collard. Meanwhile over at the Silverstone Auctions – on site at the Silverstone Wing – TV personality Richard Hammond will be filming and raising funds for his new The Smallest Cog classic car restoration business, with several of his cars coming under the hammer.
Joining in the celebrations and taking pride of place on the infield across the three days are record numbers of car clubs and privately-owned classic cars.
In addition to two special showdowns honouring 60 years of two British diamonds first launch in 1961 – the Jaguar E-Type and the Mini Cooper S – several motoring icons will also recognise milestones with track parades. The incredible Lamborghini Countach hails 50 years, it’s been 40 years for the time-travelling DeLorean DMC-12. Watch out too for the record number of Triumph Stags celebrating the sportscar’s golden anniversary, postponed from 2020.
Petrolheads can ‘refuel’ in the central Village Green which is also home to all the family-focused fun and games including free football coaching from the Chelsea FC Foundation. And a three-day festival wouldn’t be complete without live music from Scouting for Girls, ASWAD and The Brand New Heavies.
Joining ticket holders at the festival will be Motorsport UK’s three social media competition winners: Darren Bowen, Sharon Lynch and Yvonne Marceau.
In between racing on track, Tiff Needell will be joining Nicki Shields to co-present ITV4’s coverage of The Classic at Silverstone. You can find out more about the three-day event here.