Silverstone Classic Set to Break Race Entry Records
| Published: 5th June 2008 20:55 |
One of the biggest entriesOne of the biggest entries of classic and historic racing cars ever witnessed will be a major feature of this year's Silverstone Classic on 25/26/27 July.
Nearly 700 cars and 900 drivers will compete across the 21-race weekend on the Silverstone Historic Grand Prix circuit.
The phenomenal response to the event is already breaking records, with half of the races heavily over-subscribed by the end May, two months ahead of the event. The final count is expected to be 675 entries, with capacity grids for nearly every race. Eight of the weekend's races offer the chance for two drivers to share cars, so the final count for drivers will be close to 900.
In addition, the entry is proving to be truly international, with competitors from 20 countries, including most European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand, America, Japan and Brazil.
In total, 130 Grand Prix cars will be in action, spanning six decades of the story of Grand Prix racing from the ERAs and Bugattis of the 1930s through to 1970s and 1980s Formula 1 cars from Ferrari, Lotus, Tyrrell and Williams.
Such has been the demand for entries that race organisers are working through a selection process to determine the cars that will join the grid for those races. The Silverstone grid capacity is up to 48 cars for the longer races, but entries for races including World Sportscar Masters, Historic Formula Junior, HGPCA Pre '66 Grand Prix Cars, Top Hat Masters Saloons, Gentleman Drivers GT and Sports Endurance, Porsche and HSCC Historic Road Sports are already well over the grid limit. Incredibly, over 80 competitors have entered the Sir Stirling Moss Trophy race for Historic Road Sports.
"We are thrilled with the response to this year's Silverstone Classic," said Roger Etcell of new event organisers Motion Works. "It is going to be an amazing sight when all those cars are set up in their race paddocks, let alone racing on the full GP circuit."
To help fans get close to the cars, great efforts are being made to keep the main Silverstone paddocks clear of trucks and fans will have a new opportunity to see the drivers and cars close up in the final minutes before each race. A new red carpet 'cat-walk' area will be set up in the main paddock and will be used as the pre-race assembly area, ensuring fans unrivalled close-up access to the atmosphere and drama of the race build-up.
Event Background
The annual Silverstone Classic festival will be organised and promoted by Motion Works UK Limited (MWUK), the company recently licensed by Silverstone to stage the event for the next five years.
The annual Silverstone Classic is a celebration of motor racing across all decades from the 1920s to the 1990s on a current FIA approved circuit and is not totally historic as it also invites more contemporary races such as Group C, Saloons and late Formula One cars to be raced and seen in their appropriate surroundings. Classic Car Owner Clubs from across the UK and overseas play an important supporting role in recent years with 4,000 cars expected this year. The event Auction remains an important landmark and features such as the Scarf & Goggles meeting area, art & photo galleries, period air displays, funfairs, themed catering, will be retained and enhanced, with new attractions being added over the next few years.
For more information, ticket prices and the latest news on the 2008 Silverstone Classic visit www.silverstoneclassic.com
