Silverstone Classic 2012 Preview
Here at MSR, we say it every year and every year so far we’ve been right, so I’m gonna say it again, this year’s Silverstone Classic is set to be the best yet!
Taking place over the weekend of the 20th to the 22nd of July, there is so much going on at this year’s Silverstone Classic powered by the AA that visitors to Silverstone are going to need all three days to take it all in! Live music and a 24 race program mean ‘Rocking and Racing’ is what it’s all about, with over 1000 race entries, cars spanning a 70 year period and full grids of up to 58 cars. Over 100 Grand Prix cars from the front engined 1950’s cars to the DFV era will be represented. Le Mans, Group C cars, GT racers, F5000, touring cars, E type Jaguars, AC Cobra’s in fact whatever your pleasure, automotively speaking, it’s probably going to take to the track at some point over the weekend.
At the time of writing, over 120 car clubs will be displaying in excess of 7000 classic cars from Rovers and Morris to the more exotic marques like Maserati, Porsche and Ferrari. Speaking of Ferrari, one of the many anniversaries being celebrated at this year’s event is twenty five years of the iconic Ferrari F40 with the largest gathering of the type in the UK since the 40 cars assembled in 2007 at the Ferrari racing days at Silverstone. 50 cars are confirmed with a track parade planned for the Sunday. MGB celebrate 50 years, with a significant gathering of cars, ‘Z- fest’ is the first official gathering of BMW ‘Zed’ cars organised by the BMW car club GB as part of the club’s 60th birthday celebrations, the club hope to have a minimum of 500 cars representing Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8’s.
A significant and exciting addition to this year’s event is the presence of the AA and AA world. AA world is an interactive arena which will take over the infield near the new Wing pits complex, it’s a family orientated experience, with hot laps of the Stowe circuit in supercars, skid pan and 4×4 experience, a giant Scalextric track, pitstop challenge, AA heritage display, cooking demo’s in the AA emporium, a parking challenge, meet ‘Roary the racing car’ and loads more. The AA is also offering free breakdown assistance to everyone who attends the Silverstone classic both to and from the event, whether you are a member or not.
The Celebrities are at it again this year, Morgan are supplying the cars again and it looks set to be an interesting race. There will be a new winner this year as Rick Parfitt Jr, winner for the past two years isn’t allowed to compete, I was lucky enough to have him take me for a spin in one of the Morgan’s that is being used and it’s not hard to see why he’s won it. While being strapped in he asked me should we go for it or do you want to take pics or video, I smiled and said “go for it”. Now, bare in mind, Silverstone at the media day was damp, It had been spitting about with rain most of the morning and the rain was gradually getting steadier and harder, so the track was a bit greasy. Once out of the pit lane Rick, well, he went for it! All I’ll say is when driven with enthusiasm the Morgan is a bit like a happy dog, wagging its tail furiously, but boy does it ever put a smile on your face!
Competing in the race which takes place on the Saturday are Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott, Hollywood ‘A’ lister Patrick Stewart, ex England footballer Steve Bull, Sky TV presenter Vicky Gommersall, TV chef Heston Blumenthal, BBC TV’s Strictly come Dancing’s Brendan Cole, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, and many more, all proceeds from the race go to the Bobby Moore fund for cancer research, Birmingham Childrens Hospital and the RPJ Crohn’s Foundation.
The Festival is all about Rocking as well as racing and this year’s line up is set to rock you good and proper! Friday nights head liners are nineties chart toppers, Mike and the Mechanics with one of the best Elvis tribute acts ‘taking care of Elvis’ and Roy G Hemmings one of the original drifters with a Motown tribute show in support. Saturday and top of the bill is Adam Ant, along with Snake charmer formed by ex members of White snake, and to get things started, party band the Bogus brothers. AA world have their own stage too featuring Tetra Electra the all female quartet playing amplified classics on Sunday afternoon.
If all this isn’t enough there is an auto jumble, air displays from the Breitling wing walkers and the Parachute Regiment’s Red Devils display team, a vintage fun fair, an off road zone with rally cars and 4×4 rides, once again the ‘Village green’ will be present with quality food concessions and bars so you can relax and have some lunch and a drink while watching the action on one of the giant screens.
See you there
