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Silverstone Classic 2018 PR
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Rick
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:20 pm    Post subject: Silverstone Classic 2018 PR Reply with quote

News regarding the 2018 Classic as it arrives ...

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SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE FOR THE 2018 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC.

• Book now for next summer’s ultimate rocking and racing festival
• New ‘Super Early Bird’ tickets on sale from Monday 16 October
• Buy in 2017 for 2017 prices!
• Focus on Le Mans with exciting new Masters Endurance Legends
grid confirmed
• Special chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’ prize

Forget the imminent arrival of blustery autumn and chilly winter, tickets for next summer’s sizzling Silverstone Classic are going on sale from Monday 16 October. What’s more, prices have been frozen at 2017 levels for those booking the newly-introduced Super Early Bird tickets before the end of the year.

Now entering its 28th season, the trail-blazing Silverstone Classic is firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival featuring unparalleled grids of historic competition machinery, record-breaking anniversary parades plus epic in-field displays putting the spotlight on more than 10,000 classic cars. Live music from popular bands and a dazzling array of family entertainment all add to the annual high-octane extravaganza, which now regularly attracts more than 100,000 visitors.

Staged at the country’s premier motor racing circuit, the 2018 Silverstone Classic will be held between 20-22 July, two weeks after the British Grand Prix. The date remains provisional, though, until the Formula One World Championship calendar is rubber-stamped by the FIA in December.

The introduction of Super Early Bird tickets is a new innovation and offers festival-goers the opportunity to purchase their 2018 tickets at 2017 prices, providing up to a 20 per cent discount on Standard tickets. What’s more, all tickets for the 2018 event will be issued as etickets giving buyers instant gratification from their purchase.

The Super Early Bird offer is open until the end of the year – a boon for those seeking a special Christmas present. Thereafter, as in previous years, a range of Early Bird tickets will be available for those purchasing between 1 January and 31 March. From 1 April admission will be available in advance via Standard tickets.

Once again all advance tickets will give access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, the live music concerts, air shows, fun fair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

By popular demand, the 2018 on-track programme will embrace all of Europe’s leading historic categories, including an incredible array of iconic Formula 1 cars marking 70 years since Silverstone’s first British Grand Prix held in 1948.

Next year’s event will also put a special spotlight on more than 60 years of epic Le Mans history with three spectacular showdowns run back-to-back.

The showcase will blast off with the prestigious International Trophy for pre-66GT cars, followed by a similar showdown for the thunderous FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars for Le Mans-style sports cars up to 1974. Next summer, these regular crowd-pleasers will be joined by the welcome addition of the exciting new Masters Endurance Legends series (photos top and middle below), thus introducing endurance prototype and GT racers from 1995-2011 to the passionate Silverstone Classic crowds.

Echoing this year’s prices, the new Super Early Bird adult tickets start from £35 and the cost of the three-day weekend ticket remains at £99 for those purchasing before the end of the year. Full details of all 2018 ticket prices – Super Early Bird, Early Bird and Advance – are available on the silverstoneclassic.com website.

Moreover, all those booking on Monday 16 October will be entered into a special draw giving a chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’ with benefits ranging from a hot lap around the full Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on the Classic’s Preview Day, to a ride in a course car during the event or even an upgrade to VIP hospitality.

Further details of the 2018 Silverstone Classic – including more exciting new races, special car club celebrations and live music performers – will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

REVVING UP FOR 2018 ON REGENT STREET.

-Capital curtain-raiser for next summer’s Silverstone Classic
-Special preview display featuring F1 and Le Mans race cars
-Super Early Bird tickets now on sale at 2017 prices

Cost-saving Super Early Bird tickets for the eagerly-anticipated 2018 Silverstone Classic went on sale today (Monday). Enthusiasts and aficionados, however, will only have to wait until early next month for a sneak preview into some of the amazing attractions in store for the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival.

Whetting appetites for next summer’s nostalgia-fuelled extravaganza (20-22 July*), visitors to the ever-popular Regent Street Motor Show (4 November) will be treated to a special showcase featuring a number of the eye-catching cars that will be enthralling the huge crowds attending the Silverstone Classic in nine months’ time.

Highlights for next summer’s event already announced include a milestone celebration to mark 70 years since Silverstone hosted its first British Grand Prix back in 1948 plus the introduction of thrilling new races for Masters Endurance Legends, starring an awe-inspiring grid of super-fast endurance prototypes and GTs from 1995-2011.

As an eye-catching curtain-raiser to the excitement ahead, the Regent Street display will feature F1 cars from Silverstone’s past as well as an attention-grabbing icon from the sparkling new Endurance Legends line-up.

The central London preview will also include the much-loved Silverstone Classic VW campervan and a big screen bringing to life the unrivalled track action that all-comers can experience at the Classic.

With the capital city’s flagship shopping destination closed to through traffic during the day, the prestigious stretch of road between Piccadilly and Oxford Circuses is the perfect destination for those keen to find out more about plans for next year’s Classic... while enjoying some early Christmas shopping on Regent Street.

As the 400,000+ visitors attending the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show will discover, the 2018 Silverstone Classic will once again present three days of unrivalled entertainment with the biggest entry, the most racing and the best paddock access at any such event, not to mention the massive range of off-track activity.

Super Early Bird tickets now on sale offer festival-goers the opportunity to purchase their 2018 tickets at 2017 prices, providing up to a 20 per cent discount on Standard tickets. What’s more, all tickets for the 2018 event will be issued as e-tickets giving buyers instant gratification from their purchase.

The Super Early Bird offer is open until the end of the year – a boon for those seeking a special Christmas present. Thereafter, as in previous years, a range of Early Bird tickets will be available for those purchasing between 1 January and 31 March. From 1 April admission will be available in advance via Standard tickets.

Once again all advance tickets will give access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, the live music concerts, air shows, fun fair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 4:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

WELCOME BACK TO THE THUNDERZONE!

- Sixties American muscle cars back on the Silverstone Classic bill
- Transatlantic Touring Cars always a huge crowd-pleaser
- Cyclone storms into London for Regent Street Motor Show
- Super Early Bird tickets now on sale at 2017 prices

The rumble of V8 thunder is returning to next summer’s nostalgia-fuelled Silverstone Classic (20-22 July*) with confirmation that the roar of sixties muscle cars will once again reverberate around the home of the British Grand Prix.

The fearsome Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy grid never fails to deliver both shock and awe as full 50+ car grids bristling with mighty Mustangs, Galaxies and Falcons growl into life.

Adding to the incredible spectacle – and as in period – the brawny Yank Tanks will share the stage with a sprinkling of more agile European homologation specials such as the Lotus Cortina and Mini Cooper thus producing some epic David v Goliath entertainment. While the powerful V8 monsters may boss the straights, it is their audacious adversaries that rule the track’s twistier sections – and everyone loves a plucky giant-killer.

Celebrating the re-introduction of the eye-catching Trans-Atlantic Touring Cars, supplied by Masters, to the Classic’s action-packed 2018 race-card after a brief 24-month absence, the Silverstone Classic’s eye-catching display at Saturday’s Regent Street Motor Show (4 November) will include a rare 4.7-litre 1965 Mercury Comet Cyclone racer (main above).

The amazing light blue muscle car will share the central London spotlight with a couple of other outstanding luminaries selected from the unrivalled 1,000+ racing entries that will be competing on the full Grand Prix circuit next July at the Silverstone Classic.

An incredible Peugeot 908 Le Mans sportscar (below middle right) will also be on display at the Show this weekend to highlight the arrival of two new races for Masters Endurance Legends. Bringing the motor sport story almost up to date, these will star awe-inspiring grids of super-fast endurance prototypes and GTs from 1995-2011.

The Cyclone and Peugeot will be joined by an equally iconic JPS-liveried Lotus 76 F1 car from the mid-seventies (below middle left). It represents the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship, another of the Classic’s numerous on-track highlights, featuring the sights and sounds of 3-litre F1 cars – all still in their original colours – from what many consider to be F1’s golden age.

The central London display will also include the much-loved Silverstone Classic VW campervan (below bottom left) and an exquisite Jaguar XK140 drop head from the fifties (below bottom right). This roadster will be doing its best to represent the whopping 10,000 privately-owned classics that are showcased at the massive event on car club stands. There will also be a big screen bringing to life the unrivalled track action that all-comers can experience at the Classic.

With the capital city’s flagship shopping destination closed to through traffic during the day, the prestigious stretch of road between Piccadilly and Oxford Circuses is the perfect destination for those keen to find out more about plans for next year’s Classic... while enjoying some early Christmas shopping on Regent Street.

As the 400,000+ visitors attending the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show will discover, the 2018 Silverstone Classic will once again present three days of unrivalled entertainment with the biggest entry, the most racing and the best paddock access at any such event, not to mention the massive range of off-track activity.

Super Early Bird tickets which are now on sale offer festival-goers the opportunity to purchase their 2018 tickets at 2017 prices, providing up to a 20 per cent discount on Standard tickets. What’s more, all tickets for the 2018 event will be issued as e-tickets giving buyers instant gratification from their purchase.

The Super Early Bird offer is open until the end of the year – a bonus for those seeking a special Christmas present. Thereafter, as in previous years, a range of Early Bird tickets will be available for those purchasing between 1 January and 31 March. From 1 April admission will be available in advance via Standard tickets.

Once again all tickets will give access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, the live music concerts, air shows, fun fair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

2018 dates confirmed.

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MAKE IT A CLASSIC DATE!

• Next summer’s Silverstone Classic confirmed for 20-22 July
• Racecard features cream of international historic racing action
• More than 20 races with F1, GT, Touring and Sportscar grids
• Super Early Bird tickets still available for 2018 at 2017 prices

Next summer’s Silverstone Classic is now confirmed for the weekend of 20-22 July.

The date had already been announced but remained ‘provisional’ until Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, formally ratified its 2018 calendar following a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in Paris yesterday (Wednesday).

With the British Grand Prix at Silverstone now rubber stamped for Sunday 8 July, the Silverstone Classic can officially take its place in the calendar a fortnight after Formula One headlines at the home of British motor racing.

What’s more, though tickets have been on sale since October, cautious show-goers who were waiting for a verified date can still take advantage of the Super Early Bird offer available until the end of the year.

Prices for these Super Early Bird tickets are frozen at 2017 levels and start from just £35 – a 20 per cent discount on Standard admission – with a three-day weekend pass currently available for £99. Details of all ticket prices, as well as hospitality and camping options are available at silverstoneclassic.com.

With the date for the dazzling three-day festival set in stone, full details of the on-and off-track family entertainment will be announced in the coming months including the full roster of races, record-breaking car club anniversaries and the high-profile live music acts performing on both Friday and Saturday evenings.

While the Silverstone Classic is renowned for serving up an incredible array of fun-fuelled activities and amusements for those all ages, it is the unrivalled line-up of evocative grids that remains the event’s heartbeat.

As befits the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the event sets the gold standard when it comes to showcasing the cream of global historic action with more than 1,000 race entries dating back to the glorious heydays of Formula One, GT, Touring and Sports cars.

Many of the regular crowd-pleasers have already been announced along with the exciting addition of the new Masters Endurance Legends for high-tech sports prototype and GT cars from 1995-2011 – thus adding a new, more modern dimension to the high-revving nostalgia.

Other affirmed grids with Le Mans pedigree are the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy for Pre ’56 Sportscars, the Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre ’61 Sportscars, the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Pre ’63 GT Cars, the International Trophy for Classic GT Cars (Pre ’66) and FIA Masters Historic Sportscars.

Fittingly at Silverstone, more than half a century of Formula One history stars in the HGPCA Pre ’66 Grand Prix Cars and FIA Masters Historic Formula One grids. Single-seater thrills are also provided by Historic Formula Junior which is celebrating its 60th anniversary at the Classic.

The full line-up of touring car grids is yet to be announced but it has been revealed that there will be a dramatic return of the Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy starring mighty V8-propelled machines from the US. In the meantime, highlights of this year's Silverstone Classic can be viewed on ITV4 television at 09:15 on Sunday 24 December.

All the latest news on the Silverstone Classic is available on the event website and social media platforms.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC CELEBRATES MORE MILESTONE BIRTHDAYS IN 2018

• New Year heralds some great new automotive anniversaries
• The perfect backdrop for special car club showcases
• Ferrari Daytona acclaimed 50 years after its birth
• Aston Martins, Austin Healeys and Jaguars in commemorative track parades
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

With the arrival of 2018 comes a happy New Year packed with exciting automotive anniversaries. And, as tradition now dictates, many of these key motoring milestones will be celebrated in stunning style with mouth-watering displays and eye-catching track parades at the annual Silverstone Classic (20-22 July).

In recent years, the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit has staged record processions featuring evocative E-type Jaguars, fabulous Ferrari F40s, evergreen Porsche 911s and, last summer, amazing Jaguar XJ220s and cutting-edge McLarens amongst a whole host of other glittering cavalcades.

Ferrari is back in the spotlight in 2018, with the standout 365 GTB/4 celebrating its 50th birthday. Better known as the ‘Daytona’ in deference to the Italian company’s 1-2-3 finish in the previous year’s 24 Hours of Daytona, the sensational Pininfarina-styled grand tourer was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1968 and quickly defined a generation of sports cars.

Although rival supercar manufacturers were moving towards a mid-engined layout, Ferrari stuck to the traditional front-engined, rear-drive format to create one of the world’s most iconic fastback GTs. Armed with a potent 4.4-litre V12, the Daytona had plenty of performance to go with its film star good looks and came with a top speed in excess of 170mph.

In total, Ferrari produced just 1,406 Daytonas between 1968 and 1973. The majority of these were coupés but 122 were spyder soft-tops, and 15 were lightweight competition cars that took GT class wins at Le Mans in 1972, 1973 and 1974 as well as, pertinently, enjoying considerable success at Daytona in the States. It is hoped examples of all three variants will be part of another soul-stirring gathering at Silverstone in July.

Working in partnership with the event organisers, ever-enthusiastic car clubs arrange many of these headline birthday celebrations at the Classic specially for their members – a number are already well-advanced with their plans for even bigger and better parties in 2018.

With the marque’s strong competition heritage, it is no surprise that the Porsche Club of Great Britain always revels at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival. In 2018, the now legendary sports car company will be hailing its very first model – the ground-breaking 356 – which entered production exactly 70 years ago in 1948.

The Aston Martin Owners Club, too, will be honouring important anniversaries: 70 years of the DB1 and 60 years of the DB4. The cheeky little Austin Healey Sprite is another notable model turning 60 in 2018.

Jaguar car clubs are similarly always out in force; this July, they will be acclaiming 70 years of the XK120 and 50 years of the XJ saloon.

Whether celebrating or not, unprecedented numbers of motoring clubs now choose to stage their main annual gathering at the Silverstone Classic. Taking advantage of an exclusive ticket offer, a record assemblage of more than 120 clubs attended in 2017, between them displaying more than 10,000 privately-owned cars over the enormous three-day extravaganza.

“Nowhere else will you get to see so many famous and legendary marques and models all lovingly maintained and displayed by their owners,” enthused Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, the company behind the Silverstone Classic. “The sheer scale of these amazing displays and incredible track parades is a landmark feature of the Silverstone Classic – a real celebration of motoring, auto design and memorabilia.”

Members of car clubs registered with the Silverstone Classic (a simple online process) are offered a fantastic advance ticket package. This special deal includes two adult general admission event tickets plus an infield vehicle display pass, allowing classic car owners to park on their club’s allocated stand right at the heart of the event and thus be a major part of the record-breaking three-day extravaganza.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 12:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER!

• Return of Tin Top Sunday at the 2018 Silverstone Classic
• Celebrating 60 years of the British Touring Car Championship
• Spectacular showdowns for full spectrum of historic racing saloons
• Minis, Mustangs, Capris, Rovers, M3s, RS500s, Lagunas and more
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

This year’s record-breaking Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) will celebrate the 60th anniversary of one of the country’s most popular, prominent and enduring race series – the MSA British Touring Car Championship – with its biggest-ever homage to racing saloon cars.

Working closely with TOCA – the organisation which has been the driving force behind the illustrious BTCC for nearly half the series’ acclaimed history – the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival is planning to honour the diamond jubilee in supreme style.

A number of exciting announcements ­– including some promoting the current series, which continues to flourish with live TV coverage and record grid numbers – are planned for the coming months.

The first of these is the return of ‘Tin Top Sunday’. Staged only once previously in 2016, Tin Top Sunday – on Sunday, 22 July – will be a must for touring car fans of all ages, with the action-packed race programme featuring no fewer than four magical races for iconic BTCC cars from bygone eras. Close to 200 of the BTCC’s most illustrious machines will be reliving their glory years on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, many raced by past and present BTCC legends.

Ensuring the maximum spectrum of the epic championship’s 60-year history is showcased, the selected grids will put the spotlight on four very different generations of bumper-to-bumper entertainment.

Turning the clock right back to the early sixties, the ever-popular Under 2-litre Touring Cars (U2TC) grid is an ultra-competitive contest featuring Alfa Romeo GTAs, BMW TiSAs, Lotus Cortinas and hordes of giant-killing Mini Coopers. Highlighting its status, multiple BTCC champions Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden teamed up to win this rousing race in 2015.

While the BTCC’s formative seasons were dominated by sporty versions of locally produced European saloons, by the mid-sixties, mighty American V8 muscle cars had come, seen and conquered. It is a thunderous epoch perfectly represented on the ‘Tin Top Sunday’ bill at the 2018 Silverstone Classic by the return of the fearsome Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy – fans can look forward to a massive 50+ car grid laden with Mustangs, Galaxies and Falcons.

By the mid-seventies, the Yank Tanks had been outlawed and in their place, BTCC grids were filled with Capris, Rover Vitesses and smaller-hearted speedsters such as the Triumph Dolomite Sprint, Alfa Romeo GTV and BMW M3. All these icons – and many more – are included in the exciting Historic Touring Car Challenge (HTCC), which makes a very welcome return to the Classic roster after its spectacular debut in 2016.

Adding to the retro drama, the U2TC, Trans-Atlantic and HTCC close encounters will all include a compulsory mid-race pit-stop and optional driver change.

Completing the BTCC diamond jubilee story will be double-header rounds of the JET Super Touring Car Trophy, putting the spotlight on the high-tech tourers from the nineties when, for many, saloon car racing reached its absolute zenith.

“These four evocative grids on Tin Top Sunday will be a wonderful tribute to 60 memorable years of great fender-bending BTCC action,” enthused Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic. “The BTCC boasts an incredible history of thrills and spills stretching right back to 1958 and in its diamond anniversary year we are excited to be celebrating its unrivalled provenance both on and off the track at this summer’s very special Classic.”

Adding further to the celebrations, a large number of past and present BTCC star drivers will be joining the party. Indeed, many notable touring car aces have become regular competitors at the Silverstone festival and fans can expect a bumper turn-out in 2018.

Those revving up in recent years have included past champs Neal, Shedden, John Cleland, Tim Harvey and Colin Turkington as well as tin-top legends such as Jeff Allam, Gianfranco Brancatelli, Rob Huff, Jim Richards and Steve Soper.

Fans wishing to join the diamond jubilee party must buy their tickets in advance. Those purchasing before 31 March can take advantage of a range of Early Bird offers, with adult admission starting from £37.

Once again, all advance tickets will give access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 5:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LEGENDARY F1 WORLD CHAMPIONS HONOURED AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC.

• Diamond Jubilee races pay tribute to four F1 World Champions
• Homage to Jim Clark, John Surtees, Denny Hulme and Jochen Rindt
• Culmination of incredible three-year Formula Junior World Tour
• Record grids of retro racers at world’s biggest historic race meeting
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

The four record-breaking Formula Junior races at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) will be dedicated to a quartet of legendary F1 World Champions – Jim Clark OBE, John Surtees CBE, Denny Hulme OBE and Jochen Rindt – all of whom cut their competitive teeth racing these mini grand prix cars back in the late fifties and early sixties.

The special Silverstone showdowns will be the climax to an amazing three-year Formula Junior World Tour celebrating the globally popular category’s 60th anniversary.

The brainchild of Italian Count ‘Johnny’ Lurani, Formula Junior was introduced in 1958 as an affordable stepping-stone for young drivers with their sights set on reaching Formula 1. The concept of a small, single-seater chassis powered by a 1.0 or 1.1-litre production engine became an instant hit, with hundreds and hundreds of cars competing all over the planet.

At first, these were typically front-engined, space-frame machines but, shadowing the evolution of F1 design, they quickly progressed to stiffer monocoque designs with engines mounted behind the driver.

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Formula Junior, a massive World Tour kicked off in South Africa in January 2016. Since then, anniversary races have been staged in New Zealand, Australia, North America and throughout Europe with visits to many famous circuits such as Pau, Monza, Spa, Indianapolis, Mosport, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen and Zandvoort.

Now, after more than 100 races across four continents, the incredible World Tour will reach its thrilling conclusion at the Silverstone Classic with a hitherto unprecedented turn-out. More than a record 120+ entries are expected, so grids have been split into front- and rear-engined categories, with individual races for both groupings on Saturday and Sunday.

The two front-engined races are being dedicated to Clark and Surtees, who both started their careers in the earlier era (albeit driving a rear-engined Cooper in Surtees’ case), while the races for later rear-engined cars will honour Hulme - the Kiwi who was Formula Junior Champion in 1963 – and Austrian hero, Rindt. Clark was twice F1 World Champion – first in 1963 and then 1965 – Surtees took the title in 1964, Hulme in 1967 and Rindt, posthumously, in 1970.

“To have two double-headers at Silverstone as the culmination of the World Tour is just unbelievable,” enthused Duncan Rabagliati, Chairman of the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association, the brains and energy behind the international Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

“We are hugely grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity and we will come up with the goods! We are going to have four fantastic races with absolutely full grids and some notable period drivers like Richard Attwood and our intrepid patron Howard Ganley in attendance as part of the celebrations. The Silverstone Classic is one of the greatest meetings in the world and we are really going to enjoy it.”

Adding to the spectacle and importance, fiercely-fought Formula Junior races are always among the most exciting on the Classic roster, with more than 50 cars slipstreaming each other as they dice around the full Grand Prix circuit. What’s more, all the cars competing are original period racers – each one with its very own remarkable history.

Fans wishing to experience the world’s biggest ever gathering of Formula Junior cars must buy their tickets in advance. Those purchasing before 31 March can take advantage of a range of Early Bird offers, with adult admission beginning at £37.

---------------

REGGAE LEGENDS UB40 FEATURING ALI, ASTRO & MICKEY TOP SATURDAY EVENING LIVE BILL

• Chart-toppers to headline at ‘Rocking and Racing’ Silverstone Classic
• Founding members celebrate 40th anniversary with special show
• Live music concerts included free in all general admission tickets
• Cost-saving Early Bird offers available until the end of March

British reggae and pop legends UB40 featuring Ali, Astro & Mickey, will top Saturday evening’s live music line-up at this summer’s ‘Rocking and Racing’ Silverstone Classic.

Since forming in 1979, the seminal troupe has sold more than 70 million records worldwide, racked up 40 top 10 hits and received multiple Grammy nominations.

A trio of the key founding members – frontman Ali Campbell, singer Astro and keyboardist Mickey Virtue – reunited five years ago and have developed into a formidable touring outfit, selling-out venues right around the world.

At home, the UK reggae pioneers have recently been performing songs from their first two best-selling Labour of Love albums, with a sell-out arena tour that included memorable shows at London’s O2 Arena, the Manchester Apollo and the Barclaycard Arena in their native Birmingham, and they are now set to release their brand new studio album A Real Labour of Love on 2 March.

“We’re having an outstanding time on the road,” said Campbell, the legendary voice on all of UB40’s greatest hits including their famous versions of Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love and Many Rivers to Cross. “It’s all about promoting reggae. Fans care about the music and that’s what we’re giving them. We’re having a great time and we’re doing it in style.”

And now it is the turn of those attending the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival to be treated to the smooth – yet rootsy – musical blend made famous by Ali, Astro and Mickey.

“We are thrilled to have yet another amazing chart-topping band performing at the Silverstone Classic,” enthused Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic.

“As we have already announced, we will be celebrating more than 60 years of epic endurance motor racing history with three spectacular sportscar races staged back-to-back at dusk on Saturday evening. Now fans – especially the ever-increasing numbers staying at Silverstone for the entire festival weekend – will be able to follow up the very special sights and sounds of those three stunning showdowns by rocking along to the equally evocative songs of UB40. It is shaping up to be the perfect night out!”

While the unrivalled retro-racing remains the heartbeat of the Silverstone Classic, with more and more visitors opting for full weekend tickets, the popularity of the live music continues to escalate. Having confirmed UB40 atop of Saturday’s bill, another show-stopping act will be announced shortly to bring Friday’s on- and off-track entertainment to an equally rousing finale.
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PostPosted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

AFFORDABLE ROAD SPORTS RACE RETURNS TO SILVERSTONE CLASSIC.

• Full line-up of 21 spectacular races confirmed for 2018 festival
• Established favourites share spotlight with exciting new additions
• Saturday showdown for special grid of reasonably priced classics
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

The full action-packed programme of unrivalled retro races at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) is completed today (Thursday) with confirmation that the ultra-popular Road Sports will return to the three-day festival bill.

It will be the first time that one of the UK’s most affordable – and thus accessible – historic race grids has been included on the Classic roster since 2010 and will add yet another dimension to a mouth-watering line-up that already includes more period motor sport than any other event on Earth.

Guaranteeing a capacity 58-car field, the special showdown will include competitors from both the Historic Sports Car Club’s (HSCC) thriving 70s Road Sports and Historic Road Sports Championships. The one-off 30-minute race will take place in front of huge audience on Saturday afternoon.

“While many of the fabulous races at the Classic showcase some of the world’s finest race cars from great bygone eras, it’s equally important that we include races that are more accessible to a wider audience,” explained Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic and himself a three-time winner of the much-coveted Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy.

“Not only is it possible for enthusiasts to buy a competitive Road Sports racer for less than £10,000, but lots of the well-respected marques on the grid reflect the classic cars owned and driven by the many thousands of car club members coming to the festival.”

The 70s Road Sports Championship features road-legal production sports cars produced and registered in the 1970s. Some minor modifications to engines and suspension are permitted, but bodyshells must remain standard. The result is a huge and varied field, packed with Porsches, Datsuns, MGs and many more timeless marques.

Like its 1970s counterpart, the Historic Road Sports Championship stars production sports and GT cars built and registered between 1947 and 1969. To be eligible, models again must be road legal and should have a period competition history. The grids are always packed with TVRs, Lotuses, MGs, Morgans, Porsches, Ginettas, Turners and even a few Ferraris and Mustang muscle cars.

“We all love admiring the timeless masterpieces that grace most of the fantastic grids at the Silverstone Classic but, in reality, the sport can be expensive – that’s where our two Road Sport series come in,” said Grahame White, Chief Executive of the HSCC. “These championships offer those enthused by the thriving retro-racing scene a very affordable way to share in the nostalgic excitement. Hopefully, many of those attending the Classic will be inspired to join us in the future.”

Confirmation that Road Sports will be making a welcome return, completes an amazing 21-race schedule. Highlighting the full spectrum of historic motor racing, the line-up includes an unmissable feast of F1, Sportscar, GT, single-seater and touring car categories from yesteryear.

Adding further to the spectacle, Saturday evening’s evocative twilight races will honour 24-hour endurance racing while Tin Top Sunday will mark the 60th birthday of the evergreen British Touring Car Championship with four typically rumbustious, bumper-to-bumper showdowns for past generations of BTCC cars.
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PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

IT’S OFFICIAL: ANOTHER GUINNESS WORLD RECORD RATIFIED!

• Silverstone Classic sets another mega-milestone
• Record-breaking parade of McLarens now officially sanctioned
• Fitting milestone to mark 80 years since Bruce McLaren’s birth
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

The superlative Silverstone Classic has witnessed yet another momentous world record. The latest landmark – the largest parade of McLaren cars – wowed visitors to last summer’s spectacular event and has just been officially ratified by the adjudicators at Guinness World Records.

In total, an unprecedented 115 McLaren supercars took to the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Sunday 30 July to establish the new criterion.

The peerless parade was organised by the McLaren Owners Group to mark what would have been company founder Bruce McLaren’s 80th birthday.

Back in the sixties, McLaren was a racing legend winning Le Mans, two Can-Am titles and four Grands Prix before tragically losing his life aged just 32 in an accident when testing a sportscar at Goodwood in 1970. It is as a racing car constructor, however, that he is best remembered – and where the McLaren name lives on.

The history books reveal that the team he founded has won no fewer than 20 F1 World Championships – 12 for drivers, eight for constructors – and 182 Grands Prix. McLaren cars have also won Le Mans and the Indy 500 and, today, the badge adorns some of the world’s finest GT road cars.

Fittingly, the world record parade featuring such an amazing assembly of the company’s latest generation of showroom supercars, was led by Bruce’s only child, Amanda. She was just four years old when her father lost his life but is still connected to the company as a McLaren Brand Ambassador.

“We are thrilled at receiving the confirmation from Guinness World Records – seeing the certificate brought home the real significance of our achievement,” said a delighted Jeff Vaudrey, administrator of the McLaren Owners Group. “We knew around 60 McLarens had gathered together in Japan and felt we could top that number – but to nearly double it was well beyond our initial hopes and huge credit to all involved.”

As the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the Silverstone Classic has amassed many remarkable records in recent years. It is already in the Guinness Book of Records for staging the biggest-ever parade of Jaguar cars when 767 E-types took to the track to mark the automotive icon’s 50th anniversary in 2011. The colossal event has also staged unsurpassed parades of Grands Prix cars, Porsche 911s and, again last year, Jaguar XJ220 hypercars. More outstanding displays are planned for this July, too.

“While the Silverstone Classic is famous right around the globe for the incomparable numbers of wonderful historic racing cars competing in the packed programme of races, its reputation for hosting these record-breaking parades just keeps growing and growing, too,” extolled Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic. “McLaren, of course, is a magical name in motor sport and we congratulate all those involved on achieving this new Guinness World Record. It’s another feather in all of our caps!”

Many of the track parades are organised in conjunction with the ever-growing number of enthusiastic classic car clubs taking advantage of special ticket offers to be an integral part of the massive showcase at Silverstone.

Members of clubs registered with the Silverstone Classic (a simple online process) are offered a special Car Club Display package which includes two adult general admission event tickets plus an infield vehicle display pass. This enables classic car owners to park on their club’s allocated stand right at the heart of the event and thus be a major part of the record-breaking three-day extravaganza.
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DAYTONA’S FAMOUS RACING HERITAGE HONOURED WITH SPECIAL SATURDAY EVENING SHOWCASE

• Silverstone Classic pays tribute to America’s famous 24-hour race
• Trio of spectacular ‘Daytona at Dusk’ sportscar showdowns
• 50 years of Ferrari’s iconic Daytona adds to the celebrations
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

In an exciting new homage, this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) will honour the famous 24 Hours of Daytona with Saturday evening’s three retro sports car showdowns all celebrating the history of America’s legendary endurance race under the ‘Daytona at Dusk’ banner.

Daytona has been synonymous with motor sport for more than a century with many of the early World Land Speed records achieved on the hard-packed white sandy Florida shores. It was on Daytona Beach in 1927 that Sir Henry Segrave became the first man to break the 200mph barrier and where Sir Malcolm Campbell set no fewer than five of his records, finally raising the bar to an eye-opening 276.82mph in his mighty 36.7-litre Bluebird in 1935 before moving to the grippier Salt Flats of Bonneville.

Fuelled by this lust for speed, those in Daytona started wheel-to-wheel racing on a beach road course during the 1930s and the popular sand-packed oval circuit hosted the very first NASCAR organised stock car race in 1948.

To cope with ever increasing crowds, during the fifties a paved 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway was built a couple of miles inland on empty ground adjoining the airport. Called the Daytona International Speedway, the new venue hosted its inaugural Daytona 500 NASCAR event in 1959 as well as regular sports car showdowns on a different configuration that featured parts of the banking as well as road circuit style in-field sections.

Then, in 1966, a 24-hour sports car race was introduced – a day-night-day event which quickly established itself alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Sebring 12-Hours as a member of endurance racing’s coveted Triple Crown.

Over the 50+ years since then, most of the greats have won the 24 Hours of Daytona with multiple winners including Pedro Rodrígues, Brian Redman, Bob Wollek, Andy Wallace, Derek Bell, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Jr., Rolf Stommelen, Hurley Haywood and Juan Pablo Montoya.

It is little surprise, too, that many of the great endurance sports cars raced over the ages are still competing at the Silverstone Classic, the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival. Now, in a special ‘Daytona at Dusk’ feature to honour the American event’s remarkable pedigree, three evocative showdowns featuring cars from Daytona will be staged together at sundown on Saturday evening.

Paying homage to America’s long-running twice-round-the-clock motoring marathon, this trio of races – the International Trophy for Classic GT Cars, FIA Masters Historic Sportscars and newly added Masters Endurance Legends – all put the spotlight on cars that have starred under the lights on Daytona’s hallowed asphalt: iconic AC Cobras, Lola T70s, Ford GT40s, Porsche Carreras and Dodge Vipers.

What’s more, adding further to the sense of occasion, one of the key automotive milestones being celebrated at this summer’s Silverstone Classic is the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’. Maranello’s seminal front-engined V12 grand tourer that is said to have been given its illustrious moniker in recognition of the Prancing Horse’s stunning clean-sweep 1-2-3 podium finish in the 1967 edition of the Floridian 24-hour showdown.

“Ever since the days of Segrave and Campbell, Daytona has been deified by motor sport followers here in Britain – that’s why we are so delighted to be celebrating its incredible heritage at this summer’s Silverstone Classic,” said Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic. “To hail Daytona’s amazing history, Saturday evening’s three races will all feature cars that have competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona – an epic challenge which is now firmly revered alongside Le Mans as one of the greatest endurance tests in global sports car racing.”

“This is a great honour for Daytona and our widely-admired 24-hour race, which has always had huge appeal to British drivers and teams,” said Chip Wile, President of Daytona International Speedway. “The Silverstone Classic is one of the world’s greatest events celebrating so much of motor sport’s history and we are really proud that it will be saluting Daytona come July.”

All those wishing to share in the spectacular Daytona at Dusk celebrations at this summer’s Silverstone Classic can still take advantage of a range of Early Bird offers. All tickets for Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance and, for those buying before 31 March, adult admission begins at £37.

Once again, all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which are topped by UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey on Saturday evening, air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer. Options on camping and hospitality are also available.
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 2018 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DIAMOND STUDDED TRACK PARADE TO MARK 60 YEARS OF THE BTCC

• Cavalcade of 60 iconic BTCC cars to mark milestone on Tin Top Sunday
• Parade headed by 1958 Austin Westminster and 2017 Subaru Levorg
• Past champions John Cleland and Jason Plato to join the celebrations
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

Plans to celebrate 60 years of the evergreen and ever-popular MSA British Touring Car Championship at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) have moved up yet another gear with confirmation of a special track parade on Tin Top Sunday.

Marking the series’ Diamond Jubilee, Sunday’s packed race programme already includes no fewer than four epic retro showdowns featuring more than 150 cars that have competed in Britain’s most popular national championship over the past six decades. The remarkable racing legacy still competing today ranges from the giant-killing Minis, legendary Lotus Cortinas and mighty US muscle cars of the sixties right up to the high-tech Super Tourers of the nineties and beyond.

Adding to the celebrations, the most iconic cars from these spectacular encounters will be selected to join an exclusive BTCC Diamond Jubilee showcase which will take to the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit at lunchtime on Tin Top Sunday.

Fittingly, the anniversary parade will feature 60 iconic BTCC cars and be fronted by an Austin Westminster and the Adrian Flux sponsored Subaru Levorg as raced respectively by the late Jack Sears and Ash Sutton to win the very first BTCC crown in 1958, and the latest in 2017.

The historic collection will also include a number of significant BTCC cars not racing at the Classic – such as Frank Gardner’s title winning Alan Mann-prepared Ford Escort from 1968 – as well as a large number of past and present drivers including double champions John Cleland and Jason Plato, the latter the most victorious BTCC driver of all times with an unrivalled 97 race wins.

“Saloon car racing has always been massively popular here in the UK and this incredible parade will not only stir up lots of great memories but mark the timeless BTCC’s 60th birthday in terrific style,” said Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic. “We have already invited a number of noteworthy stars and cars to join us for these very special celebrations and would love to include all those who’ve played a role in creating what to this day is one of the best-loved and widely-watched championships in the world.”

Marking the occasion, a special one-off photo call is also being organised for all the many past and present BTCC drivers attending the Classic. This will take place in the International Paddock immediately before the dazzling Diamond Anniversary Parade takes to the hallowed circuit.

“We are delighted that the Silverstone Classic is saluting the BTCC’s diamond anniversary with what’s clearly going to be a magnificent gathering of stars and cars from the past 60 years,” said Alan Gow, Series Director of the BTCC. “The BTCC has a remarkable history and this great parade will not only put the spotlight on much of that wonderful heritage but also act as the perfect curtain-raiser to our own one-off Diamond Double 60-mile race taking place the following weekend at Snetterton.”

Other highlights at this year’s Silverstone Classic include standout celebrations to mark 60 years of Formula Junior, a dramatic Saturday evening ‘Daytona at Dusk’ sportscar showpiece plus live music performances by Soul II Soul and UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey included in general admission.
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ACE CAFE CELEBRATES ITS 80th BIRTHDAY AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC.

• Legendary motorcycle haven pays tribute to its biker heritage
• Displays, track parade plus homage styled paddock dinner
• Special ticket offer for owners of classic bikes to join party
• Cost-saving Early Bird tickets available until the end of March

The immortalised Ace Cafe will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in spectacular style with a huge presence at this summer’s spectacular Silverstone Classic (20-22 July).

Saluting its legendary status among motorcyclists, the Ace Cafe will recreate a special homage to its remarkable heritage at the home of British motor sport and be the iconic hub at the heart of the huge paddock display of classic bikes. Fittingly, 80 of these will be selected for an evocative track parade.
First opened in 1938 as a wayside traffic café on London’s new North Circular Road, the Ace Cafe quickly became a Mecca for bike riders, notably with the speedy ‘Ton Up Boys’ in the fifties and then the Rockers in the sixties.

With changing cultures and the opening of the M1, the original cafe closed its doors in 1969… but the story did not end there. Following the huge success of an Ace Cafe reunion organised by Mark Wilsmore in the mid-nineties, the original building was refurbished and reopened in 1997, and ever since has been attracting biker pilgrimages from all over the globe.

Bringing that magic to Silverstone, the Ace Cafe will ‘take over’ the Pit Stop Café in the circuit’s National Paddock with menus, displays, dressings and music all embracing the unique appeal and character of the original diner in north west London.

Adding to the festivities, the setting will also be home to a massive gathering of classic motorbikes – 80 of which will take to the hallowed Silverstone Grand Prix circuit for an astounding 80th birthday track parade at lunchtime on Saturday.

To encourage all classic bike owners to join the celebrations, a special Ace Cafe Motorcycle Display package is being offered in keeping with the historic values of the event. The package includes two general admission tickets and in-field parking in the dedicated Ace Cafe display area plus free parking for support vehicles and trailers if bikes are transported to Silverstone.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for all bike lovers to share in our 80th birthday celebrations and, of course, our ageless passion for motorcycles,” enthused Wilsmore, Managing Director of the Ace Cafe. “The Silverstone Classic is an absolutely incredible event and we are expecting a huge turn-out of both bikes and fans. It’s going to be a daunting ­– yet exciting – task for us to hand-pick just the 80 standout bikes that best represent 80 years of Ace Cafe history for the commemorative track parade.”

Although predominantly a peerless classic car and historic motorsport extravaganza, bikes are now very much part of the record-breaking show at the annual Silverstone Classic.

Recent events have seen some of the greatest names in two-wheeled motor sport back aboard their brutal period two-stroke machines as part of the epic World GP Bike Legends showcase. Now the addition of the Ace Cafe 80th Anniversary party, will further fuel the Classic’s appeal for bikers of all ages.
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

----

WHACKY RACER JOINS BTCC DIAMOND JUBILEE PARADE.

• Volvo’s famous 850 Estate added to special 60th anniversary celebrations
• Touring car legend Rickard Rydell reunited with nineties tin-top icon
• Twenty years on: Swedish star to race his title winning Volvo S40
• All Silverstone Classic tickets must be purchased in advance

Hailed as one of the most iconic touring cars of all times, the amazing Volvo 850 Estate is the latest addition to the special BTCC Diamond Jubilee Parade – a special star-studded track cavalcade at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July) that will feature 60 great cars to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ever-popular MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Adding to the sense of occasion, the truly whacky Volvo wagon will be reunited with Rickard Rydell who, along with team-mate Jan Lammers, raced the pair of idolised headline grabbers back in 1994.

Moreover, Rydell will be marking another key tin-top milestone at the Classic. Exactly 20 years after winning the BTCC title, the Swedish touring car legend will be coming out of retirement to race the very same Volvo S40 which took him to the coveted crown back in 1998.

The title winning S40 – originally built by the legendary TWR team – was subsequently raced by privateers in various Scandinavian championships. In 2014, however, it was purchased by experienced historic racer Jason Minshaw and painstakingly restored before returning to the track to win one of the spectacular JET Super Touring Car Trophy races at last year’s Silverstone Classic.

Now, however, Minshaw has graciously stepped aside and invited Rydell to contest both spectacular Super Touring showdowns on this summer’s packed Classic race-card.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” confirmed the personable Swede who became a fans’ favourite during a super-successful seven-year spell in the BTCC during which he won 21 races, a winning record only topped by Alain Menu in the hallowed Super Touring era.

“I retired from being a professional racer a few years ago but I’m always happy to do some more races for fun and this, for all the obvious reasons, will be a very special occasion for me. We are hoping to get some of the 1998 TWR team back together for a reunion, too.”

With fellow BTCC stars from the nineties such as John Cleland and Patrick Watts also reliving their glory days on the rekindled Super Touring grid, Rydell will find plenty of familiar faces with whom to share some great memories at Silverstone in July.

While the super-Swede’s crowning moment came with the S40, his BTCC introduction came five years earlier racing one of the two zany 850 Estates.

Back then, like so many other promising young racers, Rydell was still harbouring hopes of becoming an F1 driver. He had won the prestigious Macau F3 Grand Prix in 1992 – the two previous winners were Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard – but without the right backing struggled to progress further up the single-seater ladder.

As a result, he had little to lose when signing-up to spearhead an exciting new Volvo attack on the illustrious BTCC… though wisely no one told him exactly what he was going to be racing.

“It was a pretty unique step,” recalled Rydell now aged 50. “I went straight from having dreams of being a Formula One driver to racing an estate car! When I signed up around Christmas 1993, I had no idea about these secret plans to use the estate – had they told me, I might have thought twice about making the switch. I’d never driven anything quite so big.”

Somewhat predictably, the cumbersome beast proved to be quite a handful, though Rydell did qualify third at Snetterton and posted a top five finish at Oulton Park. But, while never a victor on track, the decision to race an 850 cargo carrier was certainly a big winner when it came to grabbing the headlines.

“Publicity-wise it was an incredible stunt by Volvo,” recalls Rydell. “Indeed, people still talk to me today about racing the 850 estate. It was pretty scary at first as we had done virtually no pre-season testing, but we made it more driveable and somewhat more competitive as the season progressed.”

More importantly, joining Volvo turned out to be a career defining moment and Rydell stayed with the TWR-run team for a further five seasons peaking with in his title-winning campaign in 1998.

“Those Super Touring years were, without a doubt, the highlight of my career,” he admitted. “We had big budgets, lots of testing, the cars were great to drive and it was a fantastic championship. One year I did 38 return flights from Sweden.”

And now Rydell will be retracing those footsteps with another flight to the UK come July – this time to race the S40 and to join the amazing line-up of past and present BTCC stars and cars gathering for the special BTCC Diamond Jubilee Parade on Tin Top Sunday at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

All those wishing to share in the BTCC’s 60th birthday party – and to see Rydell back behind the wheel of the 850 Estate as well as racing his title winning S40 – must purchase their tickets in advance.

As has proved so popular in the past, all admission provides free access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings (topped by Soul II Soul and UB40 respectively), air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer. Options for camping and hospitality are also available.

----

RJ
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PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2018 11:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SIR CHRIS HOY TARGETS FURTHER GOLD AT SILVERSTONE

• Olympic legend to race at the 2018 Silverstone Classic
• Scottish speedster rekindles his Le Mans dreams
• Cycling icon joins exciting new Masters Endurance Legends grid
• All tickets must be purchased in advance

Olympic track cycling superstar Sir Chris Hoy, MBE will be looking to add to his record list of achievements when slipping behind the wheel of a 200mph sports racer at this summer’s spectacular Silverstone Classic (20-22 July).

Hoy – who has no fewer than 11 world championship plus six Olympic gold medals to his name – has been fuelling his competitive spirit by competing in a number of different motor racing categories since stepping off the saddle in 2013.

He describes himself as a ‘keen amateur with a massive passion for motor sport’ and, most significantly, fulfilled a childhood dream when not just entering, but also finishing, the famous Le Mans 24 Hours in 2016.

Next up he will be making his Silverstone Classic debut when contesting a round of the exciting new Masters Endurance Legends series – the latest addition to the remarkable roster of crowd-pleasing retro races staged at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

“I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve never been to the Classic until now but, I’m very excited as everyone keeps telling me I’ll love every minute of it,” enthused a delighted Hoy when joining a long list of famous faces attending the pace-setting event’s recent Preview Day at Silverstone. “The accessibility of the pits, the cars and the drivers seems to be on a different level to most forms of racing, so fans can really get up close and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Further increasing Hoy’s eagerness, the calibre of the sportscar he will be piloting is well above his wildest fantasy. “I was genuinely expecting to find myself in something like a Mini, which would have been fun, but this is a serious bit of kit – a proper race car with a bit of downforce. It’s just going to be fantastic,” grinned the 42-year-old from Edinburgh.

The powerful machine he will be driving is a LMP2 category Courage LC75 which, like Hoy, has genuine Le Mans pedigree. It contested the French endurance classic back in 2007 with Russian F1 ace Vitaly Petrov among those in the driver line-up… and, adding to the sense of occasion, it still remains in its evocative red Le Mans livery today.

“Being such a modern classic, the Courage is right at the top of the tree in terms of a car to experience at an historic event like this,” he admitted. “It just looks amazing and, to be part of this new race series, as well as racing on the full Grand Prix circuit in front of the big crowds at the Silverstone Classic, will be incredible.”

Featuring an amazing array of epic sports-racers and GTs from the recent era between 1995-2012, Masters Endurance Legends is an awesome new addition to the extensive race card at the annual Silverstone Classic.

Fans will get their first chance to see these incredible machines in action during a fast moving qualifying session on Friday. And then there a two thrilling showdowns on the weekend schedule: the first as part of the special Daytona at Dusk tribute on Saturday evening; the second on Sunday afternoon.
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PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2018 1:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

CAR CULTURE AT THE HEART OF SILVERSTONE’S BUZZING CLUB SCENE.

• More than 120 car clubs signed up for Silverstone Classic
• Weekend and Saturday packages close to selling out
• New clubs join the summer party showcase
• Major celebrations for Ferrari, Jaguar and Aston Martin icons
• All festival tickets must be purchased in advance

Near record numbers of car clubs have already registered to be an integral part of this summer’s eagerly-anticipated Silverstone Classic (20-22 July).

Fast approaching last year’s unprecedented turn-out, to date more than 125 clubs have taken advantage of the special display packages on offer. Members of these registered clubs – a simple online process – are offered a fantastic advance ticket package which not only includes two adult general admission event tickets but also an infield vehicle display pass. The latter allows classic car owners to park on their club’s allocated stand and thus be an integral part of the spectacular show.

In recent years, more than 10,000 privately-owned classics have been on display right at the heart of the three-day extravaganza, providing visitors with a huge showcase of much-loved motoring history… and that number could be topped in 2018.

Weekend and Saturday car club packages are close to selling out in advance of the 31 May deadline (due to the logistics of accommodating over 120 car clubs over the weekend of the event and to enable organisers to plan the infield). Friday and Sunday packages will remain on sale until the end of June, subject to availability.

All the crowd-pleasing clubs representing iconic marques such as Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Morgan, Porsche and Triumph are returning, and this year they will be joined by a number of newcomers including the Audi R8 Drivers’ Club, Fiat Coupe Club UK, GT-R Drivers’ Club, Norfolk Retros and the Welsh Ford Owners’ Club.

Many of those attending not only take advantage of the special display packages on offer but also choose the high-profile Silverstone Classic to pay passionate homage to key marque and model milestones with dedicated displays and track parades.

In recent years, the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit has staged record processions featuring evocative E-type Jaguars, fabulous Ferrari F40s, evergreen Porsche 911s and, last summer, stunning Jaguar XJ220s plus cutting-edge McLarens amongst a whole host of other glittering cavalcades.

Ferrari is back in the spotlight in 2018, with the legendary 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ celebrating its 50th birthday, while it’s 70 years since Porsche became a reality with the birth of its pioneering 356 model. 1948 must have been a notably fertile year as it is also 70 years since the introduction of the Jaguar XK120 and Aston Martin DB1 – two further motoring milestones that will be celebrated in style come July along with the Golden Jubilee of the BMW 2002 sports saloon which was launched in 1968.

Whether attending as a member of a registered motor club or just as a keen visitor wishing to experience all the amazing attractions on offer at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, tickets for all three days must be purchased in advance.
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