Silverstone has today announced the circuit’s headline events for 2009, starting in May with the ever- popular Silverstone Supercar featuring the FIA GT Championship.

However, the highlight of the year will be in June when the home of British Motor Racing hosts the last ever  FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH  GRAND  PRIX  at  Silverstone. Ticket sales for the venue’s flagship event are at an all time high, and 2009 looks set to be another spectacular season at the famous Northamptonshire venue. From  two-wheels  to  four,  Silverstone  offers  the  best  in  international  and  national  motor  sport  to entertain all the family. Advance tickets for most of these events are available to purchase online at www.silverstone.co.uk.  Details  of  just  some  of  the  events  to  look  forward  to  in  2009  are  outlined below:

3 May SILVERSTONE SUPERCAR FEATURING THE FIA GT CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £20 - race day) Silverstone is proud to host the opening round of the FIA GT Championship – a series which features some of the world’s finest supercars. As in previous years, the GT1 and GT2  teams  will  go  head  to  head  on  the  iconic  Grand  Prix  circuit,  with  drivers  also challenging for the historic and coveted Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy during the weekend.

19/20/21 June 2009 FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX (Individual day tickets from £49)* Silverstone is anticipating this year’s British Grand Prix, on 19-21 June, to be one of the biggest and best Grands Prix in the history of the circuit. With British driver Lewis Hamilton  returning  to  Silverstone  as  reigning  World  Champion  the  atmosphere  and support from the fans promises to be exhilarating. Over half of race day tickets have already sold out so fans are advised to book now for one of the biggest British sporting events of the year.

4/5 July WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT World Series by Renault lit up the Grand Prix circuit as Renault’s free festival of motor sport made its Silverstone debut in 2008. A total crowd of 110,000 enjoyed a thrilling weekend of action-packed racing, high-speed demonstrations by the ING Renault F1 Team and parades of historic Renault race and rally cars. In 2009, fans can expect a similar weekend of non-stop entertainment.

24/25/26 July THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC Established   as   one   of   the   UK’s   unmissable   classic   motor   racing   events,   the Silverstone Classic provides an impressive line-up of races and entrants. Traditionally celebrating eight decades of motor sport and providing endless off-track entertainment for people of all ages, this is guaranteed to be a family favourite.

16 August BRITISH F3 / GT CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £16 – race day) A regular fixture on Silverstone’s calendar, the British F3 International Series is rich with  talent  and  renowned  for  being  the  proving  ground  for  numerous  F1  stars  of tomorrow.  In  addition  to  the  fierce  competition  of  this  single-seater  series,  fans  can also see on-track action from the Avon Tyres British GT Championship where some of the  greatest  sports  car  marques  grace  the  international  circuit  –  including  Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

30 August HIQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £23 - race day) Being one of the most respected domestic racing series, the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship is always a highlight of Silverstone’s event calendar. Lining up on the grid will be the 2007 and 2008 BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi who will be fighting  to  defend  his  crown.  In  addition,  during  the  run  up  to  this  year’s  event, Silverstone will host the World Aerobatic Championship which takes place on 20-29 August.

12/13 September AUTOSPORT 1000KM OF SILVERSTONE (LE MANS SERIES) Fans can witness the stars and cars from the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans - the world's most famous endurance race –  competing in a 1000km six hour race on the  Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone, as part of the Le Mans Series.

27 September BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP (Advance tickets from £23 - race day) Bringing  the  nation’s  top  riders  and  two-wheeled  series  to  Northamptonshire,  the British Superbike Championship is Silverstone’s biggest bike event of 2009. Hosting the penultimate round of the championship, there will be plenty of nail biting action as the  leading  manufacturers  and  talented  riders  such  as  Leon  Camier,  James  Ellison and former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli contend for the title.

1 November WALTER HAYES TROPHY (Advance tickets from £8 - race day) Notably  one  of  the  world’s  greatest  Formula  Ford  1600  events,  the  Walter  Hayes Trophy  takes  place  every  November  at  Silverstone.  Attracting  over  150  cars  and drivers,  it  is  an  entertaining  festival  and  a  true  challenge  for  both  established  and younger racers.

Other  events  at  Silverstone  to look out for in 2009 include  the Mini United race weekend on 23-24 May,  the  Britcar  six  hour  endurance  race  event  on  2-4  October  and  the  World  Aerobatic Championship on 20-29 August.

For   the   full   2009   event   calendar,   further   event   information   or   to   book   tickets,   visit  silverstone.co.uk where online booking discounts are available, or call 08704 588 260. * Adult General Admission tickets for the Friday of the 2009 British Grand Prix are priced at £49. Three-day event tickets, Friday and Saturday individual day tickets, child tickets, family tickets, grandstand seats, Club Silverstone and event hospitality is also available