at Silverstone for Anniversary Celebrations
Legends and past Champions from fifty years of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will be reunited with their competition cars when they gather at Silverstone’s round of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship (31 August), to celebrate the 50th, 60th and 80th anniversaries of the BTCC, Silverstone and British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) respectively.
In addition to celebrating the three special anniversaries, Silverstone is also looking forward to the BTCC’s return to the Home of British Motor Racing.
A spectacular line-up of BTCC legends have already confirmed their attendance at the gathering on the Sunday (31 August) of the race weekend – the penultimate round of this year’s BTCC. Race-goers will have an opportunity to collect autographs and hear from some of Britain’s most illustrious BTCC drivers during several ‘meet and greet’ sessions, scheduled to take place throughout the day within the classic cars display enclosure, adjacent to the main paddock entrance. To continue the celebrations the drivers will also take part in a historic Parade Lap*, scheduled for 12:30pm* on the Sunday, when they will jump behind the wheel of some of the iconic competition cars that they raced competitively in their heyday.
The stunning range of celebrated cars, spanning the five decades of the series, will also be on display next to the open BTCC paddock, access to which is free for all race day ticket holders.
A 2008 SEAT Leon from SEAT Sport UK, a 1996 Audi A4 Quattro Super Tourer and a current Team Halfords competition car will also be on display, bringing the history of saloon car racing up to the present day.
The list of drivers and cars gathering at Silverstone for the anniversary celebrations is as distinguished as it is long: -
1958 and 1963 Champion “Gentleman” Jack Sears (BTCC driver between 1958 and 1965) will drive the Austin Westminster A105 he raced on his way to winning the inaugural 1958 British Saloon Car Championship, as it was known back then - David Brodie (1963 to 1995) in his 1988 Ford Sierra RS500 - 1965 Champion Roy Pierpoint (1965 to 1968) in the ‘68 Ford Falcon - Jackie Oliver (1966 to 1970) behind the wheel of a 1965 Ford Mustang - Martin Thomas (1967 to 1986) driving his 1967 ‘Ovaltine’ Chevrolet Camaro - Chris Craft (1969 to 1979) in the 1969 Ford Escort - Gordon Spice (1969 to 1984) in the 1974 ‘Quick Brew’ Ford Capri 3.0S Mk.2 Gp.1 - 1970, ’71 and ’72 Champion Bill McGovern (1970 to 1974) in a ’64 / ‘65 Hillman Imp - Vince Woodman (1971 to 1989) in his 1973 Ford Capri Cologne - Stuart Graham (1973 to 1980) in a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro – also representing the Chevrolet Camaro’s driven by Graham’s team mate, the late Richard Lloyd - 1975, ‘83, ‘84 and ‘85 Champion and winner of a record 60 races Andy Rouse (1973 to 1994) in the Ford Sierra RS500 - Tony Dron (1974 to 1984) in the 1975 Triumph Dolomite Sprint - Barrie Williams (1974 to 1989) in the late Gerry Marshall’s 1976 Vauxhall Magnum - 1978 and 1979 Champion Richard Longman (1977 to 1986) in his 1978 1275GT Mini Clubman - Jeff Allam (1977 to 1995) in a 1975 Rover Vitesse - Damon Hill (1989) driving the 1958 Riley 1.5, in the absence of Tommy Sopwith - Derek Warwick (1995 to 1998) in the 1995 Vauxhall Cavalier, formerly driven by John Cleland - Graham Leslie driving the Nissan Primera his father, the late David Leslie, drove in 1999 - Anthony Reid (1997 to 2004) in a car to be confirmed
BRDC President Damon Hill OBE, who raced behind the wheel of a Sierra RS500 at the Donington Park round of BTCC in 1989, will also be joining the legends at both the meet and greet sessions and in the Parade Lap.
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 that features three BTCC races on Silverstone's tight 1.6 mile National Circuit.
In addition to the headline race action, 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 will provide 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, ensuring there is 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.
To book tickets, or for further information, visit silverstone.co.uk, or call 08704 588 260.
