at the Silverstone ClassicWith up to 900 drivers competing in 700 cars this weekend’s Silverstone Classic (25/26/27 July) is already setting records. However on Sunday 27 July a new record will be attempted when over 100 GP/F1 cars, ranging from the ERAs and Alfa Romeos of the mid-1930s through to the Ferrari’s, Renault’s and Honda’s, of the 1990s, take to the track to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the first Grand Prix held at Silverstone in 1948, which will constitute the greatest number of GP/F1 cars on licensed Grand Prix circuit at the same time.
Over 90 Grand Prix cars will be racing across three events; the FIA Historic Formula One Championship, the Grand Prix Masters races and the HGPCA Pre 1966 GP races. When other display and demonstration F1 cars are added in, the target of 100 cars to earn a place in the Guinness Book of Record is within reach and will certainly put the icing on Silverstone’s 60th birthday cake.
As well as celebrating six decades of Grand Prix cars, the demonstration will also mark the 60th anniversary of that landmark first Grand Prix at Silverstone. On the grid for the HGPCA races and taking pride of place in Sunday's record attempt will be ERA R9B, the 1936 car now owned and raced by American Ian Landy. Back in October 1948, this very car was raced at Silverstone by Geoffrey Ansell as the sport re-started after the Second World War.
The record breaking attempt will take place between 1pm and 2pm on Sunday 27 July. As well as seeing the cars parading on the track, visitors to the Silverstone Classic can view them up close in the paddock and talk to the drivers who race them. And, if 100 Grand Prix cars do gather on the track together, visitors will witness a little piece of motor racing history being made.
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.
