with BTCC legends and classic cars

Silverstone to celebrate 50 Years of Touring Car action with BTCC Legends and a Display of BTCC Classic cars

Silverstone   will   be   celebrating   the   50th,   60th   and   80th   Anniversaries   of   the   British   Touring   Car Championship (BTCC), Silverstone and British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) respectively on 31 August, when  the  Northamptonshire  circuit  plays  host  to  the  penultimate  round  of  the  2008  HiQ  MSA  British Touring Car Championship.

Silverstone is looking forward to the BTCC’s return to the Home of British Motor Racing and to mark the three anniversaries some of the greatest touring car legends and their competition saloon cars will be re- united at the historic circuit, as Silverstone celebrates 60 years since hosting its first-ever Grand Prix in 1948. Jack Sears, alongside the Riley 1.5 he drove in the 1958 Championship BTCC   legends   such   as   “Gentleman”   Jack   Sears   –   winner   of   the   inaugural   British   Saloon   Car Championship, as it was known back then, in 1958; Richard Longman – who piloted his Mini 1275 GT to back to back championships in 1978 and 1979; and Andy Rouse – winner of a record 60 races and four BTCC  titles  (1975,  and  1983-1985),  have  already  confirmed  their  attendance  at  a  gathering  of  past masters on the Sunday (31 August) of the race weekend.

Both current and former BTCC drivers will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs throughout race day. A  range  of  winning  BTCC  competition  cars,  spanning  the  five  decades  of  the  series,  will  also  be  on display next to the open paddock, ranging from the Austin Westminster A105 that Jack Sears drove when he went on to win the inaugural championship in 1958, through to Andy Rouse’s Ford Sierra RS500 from the late 80’s and the Nissan Primera driven by the late BTCC legend, David Leslie in 1999. Speaking at the launch of Silverstone’s celebrations back in June, Jack Sears commented, “It means a great  deal  to  me  that  the  BTCC  is  coming  back  to  Silverstone. 

Seeing  the  first  Grand  Prix  and  Saloon Cars race, and then racing here myself for the first time in 1950, has always made Silverstone special to me. 

To  be  here  50  years  later  and  to  see  the  enthusiasm  of  the  current  BTCC  drivers  gives  me  great pleasure.” Silverstone  will  showcase  what  promises  to  be  an  exciting  penultimate  raceday  in  the  BTCC  calendar. Spectators  will  be  able  to  watch  the  drama  unfold  throughout  a  busy  day  featuring  not  only  the  three BTCC  races  on  Silverstone's  tight  1.6  mile  National  Circuit,  but  a  superb  line-up  of  support  races, including the Porsche Carrera Cup, Renault Clio Cup, Formula Renault UK Championship, SEAT Cupra Championship and Ginetta Junior Championship, providing fans with a full day of top class entertainment.

 It is an event weekend not to be missed by motor racing fans as the tin-top action is fast and furious, with plenty of thrills and spills to wow the crowds. Free access to the centre of the circuit and BTCC paddock will provide race-goers with the opportunity to rub shoulders with the drivers and teams, while away from the track - and in addition to the BTCC classic car  display,  autograph  sessions  and  Q&As  with  the  BTCC  legends  -  spectators  will  also  enjoy  a spectacular  Red  Devils  parachute  display  and  FREE  family  entertainment,  including  fairground  rides.

Taster experiences, such as the Caterham Autotest (Saturday and Sunday), and helicopter pleasure rides (Saturday and Sunday) will also add to the festival atmosphere and ensure there’s plenty to keep younger fans entertained.

Tickets for the Silverstone round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, taking place on 30- 31  August,  have  been  priced  at  an  attractive  £15  for  the  Saturday  (qualifying)  and  £23  for  the  Sunday Raceday  (if  booked  in  advance).  Sunday  tickets  will  cost  £30  if  purchased  on  the  day. 

Meanwhile, Weekend Tickets, which can only be booked in advance, offer great value at £27 for both days. Children aged 15 years and under, accompanied by an adult, go free; while parking, grandstand seating and access to the Paddock and centre of the circuit are all also included in these special prices.