More than 100,000 classic car enthusiasts braved poor weather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Silverstone Classic from 24-26 July, the biggest crowd in the event’s history.
In addition to wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the weekend, more than 200 silver cars took part in a parade lap of the circuit to mark the show’s Silver anniversary.
“All in all it’s been another fantastic weekend!” said event director Nick Wigely. “Come rain and shine the racing was superb, and enjoyed by a record-breaking crowd and we completed the full programme safely. We’re already counting down the days to next year’s Classic!”
Despite torrential rain on the opening day, thousands of spectators lined the Northamptonshire circuit to witness qualifying for the weekend’s races, with more than 1000 classics – including a massive field of pre-war racers ( http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/historic-motor-sport/spirit-of-the-bentley-boys-invoked-at-silverstone ) – taking to the circuit to compete for honours.
Slippery conditions added to the drama as Jonathan Milicevic took poll position in the Peter Arundell Trophy for Historic Formula Juniors at the wheel of his Cooper T59, while the Talbot 105 Alpine of richard Evans and Gareth Burnett pipped the Wakeman/Blakeney-Edwards Frazer Nash by just over a tenth of a second in the Kidston Trophy for Pre-War Sports Cars.
A further 12 qualifying sessions took place on the opening day, which also included a stunning display of modern Formula 1 cars, including those driven by Michael Schumacher and Nelson Piquet.
Conditions had improved by Saturday, allowing for more full-blooded racing, plus a sensational Spitfire air display that commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Some of the most exciting on-track action came in the Warwick Banks Trophy for Under 2 Litre Touring Cars, which included British Touring Car Championship drivers Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal among the entrants. The pair drove to victory in their Lotus Cortina via a spirited charge from 14th on the grid, the greater power of the larger saloons proving an advantage over the front-wheel-drive Minis, which had the edge during the rain showers of Friday’s qualifying.
The Kidston Trophy was awarded to Frederic Wakeman and Pat Blakeney-Edwards, who kept their Frazer Nash in contention long enough to capitalise on the retirement of Charles Gillett’s car, also from the Frazer Nash stable, and a lengthy pit stop from Burnett’s 105 Alpine – the then-leader.
This year’s Silverstone Classic also featured the introduction of the brand-new Scarf and Goggles Awards, which aimed to highlight the most admired car of the show and the most ambitious owners’ club.
The Mervyn Garton Award was presented to the RAF Mini Club for its popular Battle of Britain-themed stand, while the Stuart Graham Award was presented to the unique Ferrari 250GT SWB ‘Breadvan’ owned by Martin Halusa and raced in the RAC Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars by his sons, Niklas and Lukas.
“I bought it because I found it absolutely beautiful, and then I found out about its amazing history and that made it even more outstanding,” said Halusa. “I’m delighted that this award recognises the car or what it is – a very, very special racing car. It was made to be used from its conception, so it’s very much my philosophy that we should keep racing it.”
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC