A brand-new never-before-seen grid of super saloons has been announced for the 2016 Silverstone Classic (21-31 July), backed by four other tin-top races from previous meetings.
The Historic Touring Car Challenge was launched in 2011 to celebrate the heyday of the British and European Touring Car Championships, which gave rise to the TWR Jaguar, Rover Vitesse, BMW CSL and Triumph Dolomite Sprint in the 1970s – not to mention the Ford Capri. That grid has now been expanded to include non-turbo cars up to 1990, resulting in a fresh field of classics that will include BMW M3s, Volkswagen Golf GTIs and Vauxhall Astra GTEs.
“Featuring so many great cars from such a great era, the HTCC has already gained a huge following among both competitors and spectators,” said organiser Duncan Wiltshire. “It’s arrival on the coveted Silverstone Classic programme is yet more proof of its spiraling popularity, and the further widening of eligibility is certain to produce and incredible grid.”
His comments were echoed by Silverstone Classics’ Nick Wigely: “Right from the its very early days, touring car racing has always been a massive hit with the British public and that’s why we have created this very special tin-top category.”
The weekend’s race programme will also include grids dedicated to American ‘big bangers’, Super Touring cars and a field of under-two litre pre-’66 racers, which includes the ever-popular Alfa Romeo GTAs, BMW TiSAs, Lotus Cortinas and Mini Coopers.
Early bird tickets are now available offering savings up to 17%.
