The 25th incarnation of the Silverstone Classic sees more additions to the festivities as two new races for British GT and saloon cars from the Fifties and Sixties join the itinerary.
Both will be 20 minute races on both Saturday and Sunday and will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 1940 air battle as aerial displays from the likes of the Spitfire and other Second World War aircraft will take place.
Confirmation of the line-up for British-made GT and Touring cars manufactured between the start of 1947 and the end of 1965, completes the most comprehensive line-up of on-track action yet seen at the Silverstone Classic.
Ensuring the entry embraces the fullest possible tribute to the era, six different classes are being welcomed ranging from nimble touring cars with sub-1300cc engines to mightier GT cars with engines over 3-litres. The results from Saturday’s race will set Sunday’s grid with class winners based on the combined classification of both races.
With 22 races ranging from Pre War Sports Cars from the Twenties and Thirties to Super Tourers and 90s GT Legends from the Nineties, this year’s 25th anniversary event will showcase more motor sport history than ever before.
“We are always looking for new grids to widen the Classic’s appeal and these ‘Battle of Britain’ races will do just that,” explained Nick Wigley, Event Director. “You only have to look at all the fabulous displays put on by car clubs at the Classic to know that the Fifties and Sixties were glory days for the British motor industry with brands such as Mini, MG and TR very much to the fore. Now we will have lots of these wonderful icons competing against each other in what are going to be hugely exciting, patriotic and crowd-pleasing encounters.”
The two new Battle of Britain races are being promoted by Masters Historic Racing, the organisation behind several of the other championships on the packed Classic bill including the always popular FIA Masters Historic Formula One and FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars grids.
“Everyone loves the Silverstone Classic and so we are expecting an over-subscribed full 58-car field for these unique ‘Battle of Britain’ races,” predicted Rachel Bailey, Masters Event Manager. “We’ve already had some really interesting enquiries and it’s clear that this new initiative will boast an amazing variety of cars as well as a very special feel due to its pure British entry. It’s going to be a remarkable homage to the period.”
