Masters Historic Racing has been overwhelmed by the support of its competitors for the races at the Silverstone Classic later this month. Each of its three races is better supported than ever before, illustrating the popularity of Masters Historic Racing, despite the current economic climate and small grids in equivalent alternative categories.

Masters will be providing three grids: GP Masters, World Sportscar Masters and Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT Cars and each is full of fascinating cars.

Masters Historic Racing Event Manager Rachel Bailey said: “We are looking entry lists that are bigger than ever before. Our GP Masters race has 34 entries which is the biggest grid all season of these cars anywhere; our Pre-66 Gentlemen Drivers GT Championship has 65 entries which is an awesome grid and our 56 WSM entries reflect the desire competitors have to race at prestigious events and at major events. Drivers and preparers have all been working hard in recent weeks in readiness of the Classic and we are delighted to be able to offer fans the biggest and best grids of the weekend.

A grid of 34 entries has been received for GP Masters, including 15 different constructors (Tyrrell, Ensign, McLaren, Williams, Surtees, Brabham, Lotus, Shadow, Arrows, Fittipaldi, Hesketh, Amon, March, Spirit and Penske) and spans the 1970s and early 1980s. Established GP Masters front-runners Bill Coombs (Tyrrell 009), Richard Lyons (Williams FW07) and Manfredo Rossi di Montelera (Brabham BT42) will be on the grid as will Rob Austin (Arrows A4) and Japanese ace Katsu Kubota in his ex-Ronnie Peterson March 761. McLarens will be represented by the ex-James Hunt car of Frank Lyons and the more recent MP4 of Nathan Kinch.

Sports cars large and small fill the WSM grid, 56 entered so far. Leo Voyazides/Simon Hadfield head the entry in the Greek driver’s Lola T70 but will be pushed hard by the similar car of Oliver Bryant, while Roger Wills/Joe Twyman share Wills’ McLaren M1C. Bolton-built Chevrons are numerous against the Ford GT40 of David Forsbrey and the Abarth-Osella of Manfredo Rossi di Montelera, while the grid boasts a Chevrolet Corvette, Coldwell, Lotus, Taydec, Porsche, Ferrari, Daren, Elva, Alfa Romeo and De Tomaso. It is a sports car fan’s paradise!

An astonishing 65 cars have entered the Gentlemen Drivers Pre-66 GT race with AC Cobras taking on hordes of Jaguar E-types. Voyazides/Hadfield head the Cobra attack, while Jon Minshaw/Martin Stretton lead the E-type charge. The grid boasts an extraordinary 17 different marques with Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Bizzarini taking on TVR, Alfa Romeo, Porsche and Lotus in a fabulous entry.

The Silverstone Classic takes place on the weekend of July 22-24.