The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival – the Silverstone Classic – will celebrate its 21st birthday in ebullient style with a feast of special celebrations and additional live music attractions in 2011. Tickets for next summer’s spectacular event are now on sale offering significant ‘early bird’ discounts both for those planning ahead as well as those seeking the perfect Christmas present.
It was back in 1990 that the famous Northamptonshire race track hosted the inaugural Historic Festival – a landmark event which was the inspiration behind many of the numerous classic racing celebrations that have been created since.
Now, 21 years on, the 2011 Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) is all set to mark this significant milestone with a host of further innovations. Next summer’s huge showcase only not will take full advantage of Silverstone’s exciting redevelopment programme being finalised for the 2011 British Grand Prix but will also build on the huge success of the 2010 Silverstone Classic which provided 73,000 visitors with some memorable racing as well as a feast of off-track entertainment.
Although final details of a mouth-watering 20-race programme will be confirmed at a later date, the line-up will include spectacular showdowns for many of the most prized and evocative F1, GT, touring and sportscars from past decades including the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars, Grand Prix Masters and the ‘Big Beasts’ muscle car race which provided such a sensational finale to the 2010 event.
Organisers have also announced the return of the hugely popular Group C races to the grid line up, an iconic championship recreating the great sportscar races of the 1980s when Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes, Nissan and other top manufacturers all competed for outright victory in the world’s major endurance races including the epic Le Mans 24 Hours. To provide an added challenge for the drivers and even more spectacular action for the fans, the entire on-track programme will be staged on the new full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in 2011.
Further maximising the circuit’s transformation, next year’s Silverstone Classic will capitalise on the extra space that the improvements create with a new ‘village green’ entertainment area. This will recreate many traditional British rural pursuits with steam traction engines, morris dancing, Punch & Judy puppet shows, village store and central catering meeting point.
The village green will be an integral part of the magical event’s well-established live music content and on Sunday afternoon will host ‘Picnic in the Paddock’ – a new musical attraction featuring a 40-piece orchestra playing many renowned classical ‘hits’. This will add an extra dimension to the live music attractions that include the now familiar concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings starring top class tribute and classic rock bands.
With air displays, return of the free Victorian fun fair and large TV screens, stunt drivers, car clubs displaying around 6000 privately owned classic cars, a star-studded celebrity race, two and three-wheeled action plus countless other attractions, the 2011 Silverstone Classic will provide even more flat out fun for all the family. Furthermore on-the-day ticket prices remain as they were in 2010 with significant discounts available to those booking in advance – these are now on sale via the new look www.SilverstoneClassic.com website.
The refreshed website also provides details on the new Silverstone Classic Racing Club which provides members with an average 25 per cent discount on tickets, special parking and grandstand seats, club pavilion plus a host of other benefits.
“The Silverstone Classic is established at the forefront of classic motor racing festivals worldwide. Now in its 21st year, we are introducing even more entertainment over all three days,” said event director Nick Wigley whose Goose Communications company recently secured the licence to promote and manage the Silverstone Classic for the next 15 years. “Last summer’s Classic saw in excess of 1000 drivers competing in more than 800 of the finest racing cars from right across the generations. As befits a 21st birthday party the grids in 2011 will be even more impressive – not least with the return of the amazing Group C sportscars. We will also be celebrating the iconic Jaguar E-Type’s 50th birthday with special on- and off-track festivities as well marking the 60th anniversary of Ferrari’s maiden grand Prix win scored by Froilan Gonzales at Silverstone in July 1951.
“What’s more with Silverstone now developing the whole site, there are even greater opportunities for us to broaden the family appeal with a host of major innovations, more of which we’ll be announcing in the coming months,” continued Wigley. “In the meantime, we are excited to be launching our latest website as well as the new Silverstone Classic Racing Club which will provide true enthusiasts with significant benefits. With no increase to on-the-day ticket prices – plus special offers for those buying now – the 2011 Silverstone Classic will not only offer a fabulous fun-filled weekend for all ages but also even better value for money.”
