British Grand  Prix  winner, three-time  Formula One  race  winner and  fans  favourite  Johnny  Herbert  will race the ex-Mike Hawthorn long nose Jaguar D-Type in the BRDC Historic Sports Car Championship race at the new-look Silverstone Classic on 30/31 July 2005.

Herbert, a multiple international winner of F1, World Sportscars, LeMans, ALMS and many other races, is one of Britain's most popular racing drivers, and an accomplished pilot of classic and historic racing cars.

Having  fought  back  from  injury  in  the  early  years  of  his  career,  Herbert’s  determination  and  out-going personality make him a favourite with the crowd wherever he races. The sight of him at the wheel of the hugely valuable 1955 Jaguar will be one of many highlights during a fantastic weekend of classic and historic racing. The race will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of Herbert's famous British GP victory at Silverstone, and the 50th annive

rsary of the Le Mans 24-Hour victory for Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb in a Jaguar D-Type. Herbert  commented:  “I’m  very  much  looking  forward  to  getting  back  behind  the  wheel  of  the  D-Type  and tackling Silverstone’s great Historic Grand Prix circuit with its faster Abbey and Club corners”. He continued: “The  annual  Silverstone  /  BRDC  summer  festival   always  has   a  great  atmosphere   with   thousands   of enthusiastic fans. It’s a fantastic weekend and I’m really looking forward to it”.

Nigel Webb, owner of the prized Jaguar, is equally keen to have Herbert driving his car at the world-famous circuit: “It’s great to have Johnny at the wheel and even though I’m driving in the same race in the ex-Duncan Hamilton C-Type there will be no team orders on this occasion!”  

The Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, (formerly the Silverstone International Historic Festival) will feature 17 races and 6 decades of Formula One and world Sportscars, representing racing from the 1930s to  the  1980s.  With  more  than  500  competitors,  and  many  other  classic  formula  and  saloon  car  races throughout  the  weekend,  Silverstone  looks  set  to  host  one  of  the  world’s  biggest  gatherings  of  classic  and historic racing cars and drivers.

Admission prices start from £10.00 (if booked in  advance), with  grandstand seating, parking  and access for children (aged 15 and under) free.