Silverstone Classic will run a Celebrity Race for HRDC Academy cars at the Silverstone Classic 2017, July 21-23.
Following the success of the 2016 Goodwood Revival race, the HRDC has been invited to race its A30/A35 Academy cars at the largest historic race meeting in the world, which presents over 1,000 classic & historic racing cars on track. With the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit's grid capacity of 58 cars, selection to this premier event will not be an issue. There will be room for all 50+ Academy drivers, ensuring a capacity grid!
RACE FORMATThis will take the form of a two-driver race, where the HRDC Academy drivers share with a celebrity driver, who will be appointed by the Silverstone Classic organisers. The 'Celebrity Race' will take place on the Saturday, together with a combined result race for the owner on Sunday.
The Celebrities may be divided into teams to create a race within the race; e.g. a team of chefs, musicians, sports personalities, TV presenters, bikers, etc, with each team captained by a current or retired professional or touring car driver.
Points will be awarded to each finisher, depending on their finishing position, with a team prize being awarded.
Prominent personalities who have already confirmed their intention to compete include celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, comedian Stan Boardman, Dragon's Den TV star Theo Paphitis, snooker icon Dennis Taylor and Neil Primrose, drummer for double BRIT winning band Travis. Bike racing world champion Wayne Gardner will also be switching to four wheels for this very special showdown. In keeping with the event's prominence as the world's biggest classic motor racing festival, these luminaries will all be racing flat-out in a huge grid of identical Austin A30/35 saloons from the late 1950s. Celebrities will split into teams representing their professions - for example chefs, TV, sport or music - and each team will be mentored by a renowned racing driver. British Touring Car champions Gordon Shedden, Robb Gravett and Andrew Jordan have already signed-up to captain three of the teams. The Official Charity Partner of the Silverstone Classic 2017 is Prostate Cancer UK.
THE CARSThe HRDC Academy cars are based on Austin A30 and A35 two-door saloons from the 1950s. All cars are built to a common set of regulations, using identical components with sealed engine units, thus giving parity of equipment to all HRDC Academy participants. It's a true drivers' formula!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB8V9Dxv6rk&feature=youtu.be ENTRIESAll entries to this race at the Silverstone Classic 2017 will be managed through the HRDC.
