Silverstone Classic 2011: The biggest gets even bigger
Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) will be even bigger in 2011 with more on-track racing action than ever before.
For the first time this year’s Silverstone Classic will take maximum advantage of Silverstone’s latest Grand Prix circuit configuration – a move that will allow the event organiser to field even bigger grids in 2011.
The track licence for the new 3.666-mile layout permits 50-car grids for larger engined purpose-built single-seaters and sports racers such as Grand Prix Masters and Group C prototypes – that’s up from the 42-car limit imposed on the circuit plan used in previous years. Likewise potential grids for smaller engined (under 2000cc) pure-bred competition cars are increased from 44 to 54 starters.
Even more significantly, though, grids for the many other categories featured on the far-reaching Silverstone Classic bill have now been enlarged from 48 to a record 58 cars. Races obviously benefiting from this increase include the popular HSCC Big-Engined Touring Cars which stars dozens of V8 powered American muscle cars from the Sixties as well as the two special Jaguar E-Type Challenge races being organised specifically to mark the iconic model’s 50th birthday in 2011.
“The biggest classic motor racing festival is just getting bigger and bigger,” said a delighted Event Director Nick Wigley. “The decision to switch the on-track action to the new Silverstone Grand Prix circuit has a huge number of benefits. Bigger grids, of course, will provide even more entertainment for both festival-goers and competitors. In the past we’ve had to turn down entries as certain grids have been vastly oversubscribed. Beyond that the new layout will provide drivers with a new challenge. Moreover the event provides fans with a great chance to experience the dramatic new Silverstone Wing pit complex.
“Our hugely successful ‘access all areas’ policy gives the public the perfect opportunity not only to see all these fabulous and priceless racing cars from bygone eras but also a great chance to get a close look at the spectacular redevelopment currently nearing completion at Silverstone. It’s the perfect cocktail: motor sport’s fabulous pedigree in the paddock overlooked by the glittering edifice which symbolises the sport’s future in this country.”
“It’s a mouth-watering prospect,” agreed Grahame White, Chief Executive of the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) race control organisers for the event. “The Big Engined Touring Cars was one of the undoubted highlights of last year’s Silverstone Classic and we’ve received huge interest from E-Type owners all wanting to be part of what’s a very special anniversary celebration. Now, with a potential of massive 58 car grids, the sight and sound of these racing machines is something not to be missed.”
With so much entertainment already confirmed, ticket sales are already nearly 100 per cent up on this time 12 months ago with those booking before the end of March taking advantage of significant ‘Early Bird’ discounts.
For more information log onto www.SilverstoneClassic.com.
