Group C cars will star again at Silverstone Classic (Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography)
A pair of motorsport greats have been confirmed as attending this summer's Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (July 20-22).
Both Nigel Mansell and Derek Bell will appear at AA World during the weekend at the home of the British Grand Prix track. The area – laid out on the Stowe circuit close to the new Wing paddock complex will feature a range of driving experiences for all ages as well as range of other attractions aimed at the entire family.
On the site of three of his 31 GP wins Mansell will officially open AA World on Friday July 20. The Midlander's F1 career took in terms at Lotus, Ferrari, Williams and McLaren, winning the world title with Williams 1992. The following year he became of few drivers in the modern era to win championships in both Indycar and F1 when he won the US series with Newman-Haas.
On the middle day of three day classic racing festival sportscar legend Bell will be at AA World to meet fans, sign autographs and talk about some of the historic cars in action over the weekend, with the Group C sportscar races likely to a highlight for the five time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and double World Sportscar champion.
“This summer's grids will feature hundreds of superb F1 and Le Mans cars from past generations,” said event director Nick Wigley, “So it will be very special to have two of this country's greatest drivers from some of those acclaimed decades returning to Silverstone to share in the fantastic festivities that showcase some of the sport's most magical and exciting times. Nigel has always been idolised by the fans at Silverstone – he won three British Grands Prix there after all – and Derek was won of the top names from the glorious Group C sportscar days, a category that will be celebrating its 30th birthday with two special races at this year's Silverstone Classic.”
As well as the Group C cars – which are set to star again in the twilight race on Saturday evening – the full race program features F1 machinery in the shape of two grids for cars from the 1950s and 60s and the Grand Prix Masters field for cars from 1966-1985. Several eras of sportscars are also represented in the Woodcote Trophy and Sir Stirling Moss Trophy races.
