Following on from his impressive victory in the HSCC Classic F3 race at Brands Hatch just over ten days ago, Reigate-based racing driver, Nick Padmore, is confident that he is on for a strong showing as he returns to the annual Silverstone Classic for the sixth time this weekend.
Back behind the wheel of Historic Formula One racer Max Smith-Hilliard's WDK Motorsport-prepared 1978 March 783, Padmore will take on a grid of over forty cars, and he will be looking for a good result, having secured outright wins both times he has previously race it.
This year will see the first time that Formula Three has been introduced to the Silverstone Classic timetable, marking the golden anniversary of the popular formulae, which replaced Formula Junior in 1964, and it is set to provide exciting and close racing for two 20-minute editions over the weekend.
Also Padmore, who claimed 3rd position overall in the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco back in May, will team up with Phil Hall for another bite at the FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars race in Hall's 1971 Lola T212.
Padmore has taken three 2nd-place finishes in only five attempts at the race in previous years, two of which co-driving with Hall in the T212, and the pair are aiming to go one better this weekend.
With over 1000 rare and iconic cars expected to be racing, spread out over 22 races throughout the course of the weekend, the 24th edition of the Silverstone Classic is set to be the biggest and best to date.
Nick Padmore:"I always love the Silverstone Classic - it's one of my favourite meetings on the calendar, and I'm very grateful to have been handed the opportunity to drive two stunning race cars there for another year by Max and Phil.
"After what was a perfect weekend in the F3 at Brands recently, I really hope we can repeat our competitiveness but we have some strong competition coming over from France and Italy so it's a bit early to make any real predictions. The races are only twenty minutes long so it will be imperative to get a good grid position but, with so many entries in the field, getting a clean lap in qualifying could be tricky.
"Hopefully we'll be in for a strong showing with Phil in the Lola too. Phil and I have shared some great races and results in previous years at the Classic. We'll be testing the car on Thursday and we need to use the limited time wisely so we can go on full attack right from the green light in qualifying.
"It's going to be a busy weekend, not only competing in three races, but also I'll be on coaching duties again with Max in the JPS Lotus 77 for the Masters Historic Formula One races.
"Max is continuing to make solid, tangible progress and, after he won both races at Brno at the beginning of the month, we come to the Classic with a good momentum and the aim to come away with some strong results.
"Records crowds are expected this weekend so I hope we can put on a good show for everybody there."
Live timing will be provided by MST World and full results will be found at http://results.mstworld.com/Results
2014 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC TIMETABLE
Friday 25th July 201410:20 - 10:40 - Brian Henton Trophy For Classic Formula 3 (Qualifying)18:15 - 18:45 - FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars (Qualifying)13:55 - 14:15 - FIA Masters Historic Formula One (Qualifying)
Saturday 26th July 201409:40 - 10:00 - Brian Henton Trophy For Classic Formula 3 (Race 1)19:20 - 20:10 - FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars (Race)13:20 - 13:40 - FIA Masters Historic Formula One (Race)
Sunday 27th July 201409:00 - 09:20 - Brian Henton Trophy For Classic Formula 3 (Race 2)13:30 - 13:50 - FIA Masters Historic Formula One (Race 2)
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