THIS year’s Silverstone Classic is set to be the best ever, according to organisers, as an expected 100,000 petrolheads gather for the annual motoring extravaganza.
The world’s largest motor racing festival has been delighting car enthusiasts since 1990, and organisers have promised a packed schedule that will cater for all the family when it returns from July 28 to 30.
About 10,000 privately-owned classic cars will be displayed on the Silverstone infield, while vehicles of all shapes and sizes will tear around the track in more than 25 races, as well as displays from 100 car clubs.
Off the track, the live music will feature former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, as well as sets by top tribute acts the Bootleg Beatles, Who’s Next and the Dire Straits Experience.
Petrolheads will also get free access to the grandstands and an unrivalled chance to explore the paddocks.
Speaking at the media launch day at Silverstone on Thursday, Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events and the Silverstone Classic event director, said: “The Silverstone Classic is special because it’s built on a massive range of motor racing.
“It is the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival – you can come here for one day and go away thinking ‘I wish I’d stayed for three’, because there’s so much to do.
“You can see when people come over the first bridge, there is sea of classic cars, beautifully polished, you can see the fairground in the distance and the big wheel and you can tell people are wowed by it all.
“Some of the quotes which came back from an online survey we did were ‘best event on the planet’ and ‘best weekend of our lives’. There’s a really fun feel about the whole place.”
Motoring television presenter and former racing driver Tiff Needell will compete in two races over the weekend, and echoed the sentiments of Mr Wigley that the Silverstone Classic caters for everyone.
“It’s like a rock festival for motorsport fans,” Needell said. “You have to come for the whole three days to have time to see everything.
“For the petrolhead whose partner doesn’t understand them and whose children would prefer to go to a football match, this is a perfect place for them to bring the family along and say ‘this is my passion’.
“And because there’s so much going on, even the non-petrolhead will find something interesting.”
One highlight of the weekend is the charity Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race, which is set to pit about 50 celebrities against each other and racing drivers on the Saturday.
Travel writer and motorbike enthusiast Charley Boorman is one famous face taking part, and he is not hiding his emotions as he looks to leave the other racers in his wake.
“I’m a petrolhead in anything with a throttle,” he said. “It’s such a great honour to come and join in on such a fun weekend.
“And I want to win obviously! As they say, it’s not the taking part, it’s the winning!
“The Silverstone Classic is in the title – it’s a classic. It’s a celebration of the history of motor racing, there’s something for everybody.
“There’s also a lot of shopping if you need retail therapy, or you can just park yourself at the bar and watch idiots like me race around!”
Olympic gold medal-winning rower Mark Hunter is also on the grid for the celebrity race, in a team including Jonny and Greg Searle, 1992 Olympic winners in the coxed pair, and five-time Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave.
It will be Hunter’s first time at the Silverstone Classic, and the former athlete is relishing his maiden weekend at the track.
“People have told me what it’s like, having 40,000 people going crazy when you’re racing around a track in the summertime - I’m super excited,” he said.
“We love sporting occasions in Britain – that’s what we live for during the summer. It should be an event to remember.
“It will be good competition and friendly banter, but at the end of the day, we all want to be victorious!”
Car enthusiast and television presenter Ant Anstead is another taking to the wheel in the race, and added: “Let’s be honest – we’re all in it to win it.
“I spoke to the Olympians and these are proper gold medal winning athletes. Do you think they’re coming here just to take part? Of course not.
“I think the motorcycle team are one to watch, but we’ve all got a chance. I think I’d better get some more practising in!”
Other well-known faces announced for the race include six-time Olympic cycling champion Jason Kenny, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis and former England test cricket captain Mike Gatting.
There is also a shopping village, live demonstrations, air displays and a funfair at the event in July.
Early bird tickets for the festival are on sale from www.silverstoneclassic.com, and will be available until March 31.
The Silverstone Classic (28-30 July, 2017) provides the best historic motor racing, impressive track parades, infield displays from over 100 car clubs, live music, plus interactive driving activities and dynamic demonstrations over a packed three-day weekend. For details of all tickets – as well as hospitality packages and weekend festival camping – visit: www.silverstoneclassic.com
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