THE 2006 ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB TOURIST TROPHY

The Battleground for the Elite in Motor Sport at The Silverstone Supercar Showdown

6th – 7th May 2006

The countdown to the 2006 Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy has started, with less than two months to go. On 6th & 7th May Silverstone will become the battleground for the world’s motoring elite, from Aston Martin to Ferrari and Porsche to Maserati. It’s all part of the Silverstone Supercar Showdown, where the British round of the FIA GT Championship featuring the world famous Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, will take place.  And it will make the perfect day out for kids, adults and petrol heads alike.

THE FACTS BEHIND THE TOURIST TROPHY

·        The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was first contested on September 14th 1905 at the hilly and picturesque, 52 mile, Isle of Man circuit.  John Napier, in an Arrol-Johnston won in the 6 hour race comprising 4 laps, 208 miles, with an average speed of 33.9 mph.

·        In 2005, The Royal Automobile Club celebrated the centenary of the Tourist Trophy with its revival as part of the FIA GT Championship and the Aston Martin team of Peter Kox and Pedro Lamy, driving the newly launched DBR9, added to the marque’s tally of 4 Tourist Trophy wins.

·        In its current format the Tourist Trophy takes place over 3 hours and is regarded as a real test of driving skills and endurance, with rapid driver changes and pit stops par for the course.

·        The 2006 Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy is the first round of the FIA GT Championship – providing a fantastic start to the year’s competition.

·        The FIA GT Championship was established in 1997 and visits ten circuits around the world, including Dubai, the Czech Republic, Romania and some of the most famous tracks in Western Europe. 

·        The late ‘50s and early ‘60s were probably the most significant in the Trophy’s history, with some of motor sports’ great names winning, including Sir Stirling Moss seven times, Denny Hulme four times, Graham Hill and Stuart Graham twice.

·        This year Sir Stirling Moss himself will be presenting the Tourist Trophy on the podium to the winners.

·        But the real stars are the cars. Some of the most powerful road-based cars in the world go head to head as the crowds hold their breath to see which will ultimately be victorious and claim the Trophy.  Manufacturers competing in this year’s Championship include Maserati, Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette and Saleen.

·        Aston Martin has won the Trophy four times since it was launched in 1905. In 1953, an Aston DB3S was driven by Peter Collins and Pat Griffith to take the title.  Then Stirling Moss drove to success at Goodwood in the DBR1 back to back in 1958 and 1959.  And the Lamy/Kox partnership had their names and “Aston Martin” engraved on the trophy too in 2005, following the superb win in the new DBR9, with their sister car finishing second.

·        In 2006, The Tourist Trophy at the FIA GT Championship will be the central feature of the Silverstone Supercar Showdown, which also features the new FIA GT3 European Championship and single marque races for Ferraris and Maseratis, offering families and motorsports enthusiasts an amazing day out.

·        Access for children aged 15 years and under, accompanied by an adult, will be free of charge, and parking, grandstand seating, paddock access and centre transfer will also be included with a general admission ticket, giving spectators the chance to get up close to dream cars such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

Royal Automobile Club Chairman, Tim Keown said “We are delighted that the Tourist Trophy has a chance to excite a new generation of motoring and motorsports fans in the 21st century. Building on the success of last year’s centenary event, everyone from families to knowledgeable motoring enthusiasts will have a chance to enjoy a spectacular, action-packed weekend. The revival of interest in the Tourist Trophy proves that it’s still the most coveted title in sports car racing – so book your ticket now to see the very best sports car racing in Britain.”

Tickets for the Silverstone Supercar Showdown are available from silverstone.co.uk:

Ticket Prices:

Weekend Ticket   Advance         £20

On the day         £30

Saturday         Advance         £10

                 On the day      £15

Sunday           Advance         £15

                 On the day      £20