What to see at Silverstone Classic 2018

There’s another 70th that will be marked by a parade, that of the Jaguar XK120 which, together with the XJ’s half-century, will see in excess of 200 cars take to the track.

As we’ve previously announced, it’s also happy 60th birthday to the British Touring Car Championship, which will see more than 150 saloon and touring cars racing on Tin Top Sunday, plus a packed parade.

The line-up includes six championship-winning drivers and a plethora of cars that are sure to bring memories flooding back, both for those piloting them and for everyone trackside – we’re talking Graham Hill’s race-winning Jaguar Mk2, Doc Shepherd’s Austin A40 that took him to the 1960 championship and, of course, the iconic Volvo 850 Estate.

The Daytona at Dusk races will be very evocative and it's 50 years of Morgan's Plus 8

Another anniversary parade will be the 50-strong group commemorating five decades of the the Morgan Plus 8, while automotive and motorcycling Mecca the Ace Cafe will also mark its 80th birthday with an 80-’bike parade as well as taking over Silverstone’s Pit Stop Café.

Want more candles to blow out? It’s also Formula Junior’s diamond jubilee this year, with a record number of entrants set to thrill across four races, each with 54(!) starters.

Due to the massive turnout, the grids have been split into front- and rear-engined categories, with individual races for both groupings on Saturday and Sunday. It’ll be the largest-ever gathering of Formula Junior racers.

A trio of Daytona at Dusk races on Saturday will pay tribute to the 24 Hours of Daytona, while the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ will also be celebrated.

A world-record-breaking number of Formula Juniors will descend on Silverstone

And as well as the celebrity racers you might expect to see amongst the 780-plus drivers from 24 countries competing this weekend, six-time Olympic gold-medal winner Sir Chris Hoy will make his Silverstone Classic debut behind the wheel of an LMP2-category Courage LC75 in the Masters Endurance Legends contest.

For something more extreme, there’s Guinness World Record-holder Terry Grant’s stunt show, starring his Legend, a 1937 Ford Sedan, and his custom-built V8-supercharged stunt Mustang, not forgetting the Streetcar Shootout.

As ever, there will be loads going on across the 760-acre Silverstone site. Indeed, 128 car clubs – a record number – have registered for classic-car displays, so you’d better don comfy shoes and get walking, as there will be plenty to see!

This 300SL Roadster will be auctioned at Silverstone

2018’s Silverstone Classic will also see the biggest-ever Silverstone Auctions sale take place, with 149 classic road and racing cars due to cross the block.

Notable lots include a barn-find 1968 Jaguar E-type, and tying in with the touring-car party, three homologation specials from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Ford, or how about a matching numbers 1958 300SL Roadster, one of 1858 built? Or an ex-royal family 1975 Range Rover Classic? Or perhaps a right-hand-drive 1972 Ferrari Dino piques your interest?

Last, but by no means least, the life of much-missed broadcaster and C&SC colleague Henry Hope-Frost, who passed away earlier this year, will be remembered with a new #FEVER award, an F1 memorabilia auction, the sale of #FEVER stickers and message walls in both paddocks.

Don’t forget, all tickets must be bought in advance, so click here and order yours, if you’ve not already done so! All tickets must be purchased by midnight today (Thursday, 19 July).

READ MORE

Barn-find E-type up for auction next month

Touring car greats coming to Silverstone Classic auction

Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster revealed as first entry in Silverstone Classic sale

• Share
• Share
• Email

Share

NewsSport

Lizzie Pope

Lizzie Pope is Classic & Sports Car’s Associate Editor

Follow Lizzie on Twitter