The Silver Jubilee Silverstone Classic now boasts more cars and more races for this summer’s event as Pre War Racers returns to the line up, while ‘Mad Jack’ and Chevron are honoured with special races.
There’s also a debut for the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) Guards Trophy while the two Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPAC) races will combine for one bumper grid.
The welcome return of the charismatic Pre War Sports Cars and the Classic debut for the popular Guards Trophy GT and Sports Racing Championship will have the added spectacle of a 40 minute race, with a mandatory pit stop and optional driver change.
The Pre War Racers hadn’t been seen on the Classic since 2009, but with the 25th anniversary on the horizon, the class made for a perfect celebration of the event’s history and will return under the moniker derived from Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth, the winner of the first Grand Prix staged at a road circuit in the UK back in 1935.
The bumper show will mark the first time that the latest Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit will host many of the top sports cars from the pre-World War 2 era. These will include the 8-litre Bentleys, Type 35 Bugattis and Alfa 8C Monzas along with Aston Martins, Altas, Alvises, BMWs, Frazer Nashes, MGs, Talbots and Sunbeams.
“There are some other really interesting cars out there, too, that we are hoping to attract to Silverstone,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Motor Racing Legends. “These pre-War cars were always an integral part of the Classic and it’s fantastic that they will be back in what’s clearly going to be a memorable 25th birthday bash come July.”
White isn’t the only man with cause for celebration with Grahame White, CEO of HSCC, happy to secure the most high profile race in their history as the pre-1966 GT and pre-1969 sports-racing cars set to take to the track.
“I’m delighted that we have been able to secure a slot at the Classic for the Guards Trophy,” said White. “This is a just reward for all the drivers who have supported the championship so well over the years. We regularly get 50 and 60-car entries and I’m sure there will be a very big demand for places at the Classic.”
The capacity field usually includes Jaguar E-types, Morgans and others such as TVR Griffiths. A number of notable Chevron B6s and B8s are also regulars and they will be a fitting tribute to the marque founded by Derek Bennett in 1965 as they celebrate their 50th birthday.
“The presence of both Pre War Sports Cars and Guards Trophy grids will add yet more variety and colour to this year’s Classic,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director. “We are also delighted to introduce the Guards Trophy to the Classic audience – with a massive 58-car entry, they will provide yet another dimension and yet more entertainment.”
These two additions to the frenetic Classic programme have partially been achieved by the amalgamation of the two Historic Grand Prix Cars Association fields into one massive grid.
The move will showcase a range of Grand Prix racing history stretching from early Bugattis and ERAs of the Thirties right through to the rear-engined Brabhams, Coopers and Lotuses of the Sixties.
The Silverstone Classic will run from January 24 to January 26 and will celebrate it’s 25th year of existence.
