Honouring The Pampas Bull, Silverstone Classic pays tribute to Jose Froilan Gonzales

Special to tribute to Ferraris first Grand Prix winner Dedicated F1 races for Jose Froilan Gonzles as well as Jim ClarkNext months Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) will pay special tribute to Jos Froilan Gonzles, the legendary Argentine racing driver who passed away last weekend at the age of 90.Nicknamed the Pampas Bull thanks to his burly frame and swashbuckling style, Gonzales will forever be linked to Silverstone. He not only scored both his two Grand Prix wins (from a total of 26 starts) at the famous Northamptonshire circuit but the first of these in 1951 was also of huge historical significance being Ferraris first-ever victory in the FIA Formula One World Championship."Everyone was shouting and I was carried to the winner's podium," recalled Gonzales in his book My Greatest Race. After a few minutes they led me forward to the Queen of England who congratulated me. I had never experienced anything like this before. When I saw my countrys flag being hoisted, it was just too much for me and I cried. That moment will live with me for ever.Honouring that milestone achievement the two races organised by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association specifically for F1 cars from that era will   be named the Froilan Gonzales Trophy for HGPCA Pre 61 Grand Prix Cars.Gonzales will always be a giant figure in motor sport history and its a huge privilege for us to be honouring him at this years Silverstone Classic, said event director Nick Wigley. His two Grand Prix victories came at Silverstone and his 1951 win for Ferrari is a watershed moment in the annals of Formula One racing. Whats more he was also a regular visitor to the Silverstone Classic back in the Nineties always happy to be back at the scene of his greatest victory.Notably Gonzales returned in 1997 to take part in a dramatic Ferrari demonstration. Aged 74 he drove a 1952 Ferrari 375 Indianapolis alongside Phil Hill, John Surtees and Jody Scheckter in three of the Scuderias more modern F1 machines. Two years later he also took part in BRMs 50th anniversary celebrations at Silverstone.Like so many of the drivers in his era, Gonzales also competed in sportscars winning the Le Mans 24 Hours for Ferrari in 1954. Several of the magical machines he raced in the Fifties, and that raced against him, will be among more than 1000 of the finest and most authentic competition cars all recreating history at whats now firmly established as the worlds biggest classic motor racing festival.As well as honouring the Argentine hero, this summers Silverstone Classic is celebrating the achievements of another racing legend, Jim Clark. Marking the 50th anniversary of the Scots first World Championship as well as his victory in the 1963 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the two HGPCA races for Pre 66 Grand Prix cars are dedicated to the Scot. A special BRDC Silverstone Classic dinner is also being staged in the Silverstone Wing with many of those who knew Clark from the Sixties sharing their memories.The full Silverstone Classic bill features no fewer than 24 races spanning the full spectrum of motor sport history. In keeping with the popular events widely acclaimed access all areas policy, tickets (which must be purchased in advance) include free entrance to all the special classic car displays, both National and Wing racing paddocks and pit complexes, trackside grandstands, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings plus a host of other entertainment for all ages and interests. Adult admittance is from just 35 (plus fees) and considerable savings are on offer for those festival goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone. Full details can be found on the official silverstoneclassic.com website.


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