On 26-28 July, the Silverstone circuit will once again play host to hundreds of historic racing cars in a weekend of thrilling racing, powerslides and the occasional belch of smoke in what has become one of motorsport’s must-attend events of the year, the Silverstone Classic 2013.
With record race entries, this year’s Silverstone Classic 2013 will be the biggest and best yet. The full line-up showcases eight decades of glorious motor sport history featuring the finest Formula One, Le Mans, GT, touring and sportscars from previous generations. Staged on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, many of the individual grids boast more than 50 starters. This year’s festival is all set to break the record of 1104 entries from 2011, believed to have been the biggest race meeting ever staged in global motor racing history.
Saturday evening’s two dusk races pay homage to Le Mans, testing the lights of the 200mph Group C prototypes from the 1980s and the glamorous Piper Heidsieck pre-1966 GTs in a packed 58-car field laced with Cobras, E-types, Astons and Ferraris. Earlier in the afternoon the Masters Historic Sports Car showdown will turn the clocks back to what’s perhaps the most famous of all Le Mans eras – the period immortalised in celluloid by Steve McQueen with Ferrari’s 512 and Porsche’s 917 renewing their epic on screen rivalry. Adding to the sense of occasion, saloon car legend Steve Soper makes a competitive comeback in the same race behind the wheel of a Ford GT40.
Squeezed in between the on-track action, Aston Martin and Lamborghini are celebrating important milestones in their respective histories with glittering parades on Saturday. Aston Martin will be the event’s official ‘Featured Celebration Marque for 2013’, and highlights during the weekend will include a 100-car parade at lunchtime on Saturday. Legendary Italian supercar marque Lamborghini is celebrating its 50th birthday with what’s believed to be the biggest ever gathering seen in the UK and one of the largest seen anywhere in the world. Sunday then puts the spotlight on 50 years of the Porsche 911 with, appropriately, a breathtaking world record cavalcade of 911 911s covering all generations of the world’s most successful sportscar.
More than 80 motor clubs will be filling the entire Silverstone site with superb displays. In total, an unprecedented 8,269 classic cars have been registered for display.
In addition, there will be many free entertainment offerings for the race goers at the Silverstone Classic 2013. Family entertainment includes a funfair for the younger generation, for the 12 years and over there’s the AA First Drive, or you can take a thrilling hot-ride in a Caterham sportscar. The new BMW Wheel will be in action with gondolas travelling 40-metres into the skies above the circuit.
The latest supercars are always a massive draw, too. Many of the world’s most illustrious marques including Aston Martin, BMW, Lamborghini and Porsche will all be showcasing their latest models alongside some of their greatest creations from past generations
Living up to its ‘Rocking and Racing’ motto, the Silverstone Classic 2013 again includes live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings. One of Britain’s most famous bands – The Hollies – will top the live music bill on the second night. They will be preceded on Friday by another illustrious band, this time from the silver screen. The ‘Stars from The Commitments’ includes original cast members from the BAFTA winning movie and they are still performing many of the film’s soul Classic. Silverstone Classic festival-goers will also be treated to a host of other familiar favourites from four top tribute bands. Floyd Reloaded and Boot Led Zeppelin will be performing Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin Classic on Friday while The Hollies will be supported on Saturday by the Ultimate Eagles and the Guns N’ Roses Experience.
Adult admittance is from just £35 (plus fees) and tickets for accompanied children aged 6-16 years old are just £5. Those aged five and under are admitted free. In keeping with the event’s widely acclaimed ‘access all areas’ policy, all tickets include free entrance to both racing paddocks and pit complexes, trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings as well as free access to all the on-site activities. Advance tickets are now sold out as per http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/tickets
“It really is a great day out for all ages and interests – what’s more, most of these attractions and activities are absolutely free to all those attending the Classic,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director.
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