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The organisers of the Silverstone Classic (Powered by the AA) held a Media and Competitors Test Day at the Silverstone Circuit on Wednesday 08 May, to provide an appetiser of what to expect at the track over the weekend of 26 - 28 July. The gathering will feature 24 races over the weekend, spanning eight decades of motor sport, together with a host of off track attractions. These include numerous one marque car club displays, market areas, a Silverstone auction, children’s activity zones and funfair, aerial displays and live music concerts on the Friday and Saturday evenings, with another on the Sunday afternoon. It has really established itself as a family friendly event, without detracting from its raison d’etre, classic motor racing.

It has attracted a broad range of cars to the various grids, many of which are already oversubscribed for the maximum 58 cars allowed to start, and equally pre-sales of tickets are at record levels for what promises to be another spectacular event. Anniversaries to be celebrated will include 50 years of the Lotus Cortina, and the 50th anniversary of Scottish F1 legend, Jim Clark’s first World Drivers’ Championship. To mark this occasion there will be a special dinner in his honour on the Friday evening, open to BRDC members and competitors, although a few tickets will be on general sale, so book early, and will feature memories from those who worked with him and knew him, plus a display of cars, trophies and memorabilia. As part of the media day, fellow Scot, and self confessed admirer of Jim Clark’s talent, which inspired him, ex-F1 driver, David Coulthard, drove a number of laps in an Ex-Clark Lotus 25, and each time he returned to the pits, he was like a dog with two tails, revelling in the opportunity to drive such a historically significant machine. He obviously enjoyed himself, and was effusive in his praise of the delicate handling of the car, and of those who drove them in period.

The event will also celebrate three other important automobile milestones with parades, the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 model, Aston Martin’s centenary and 50 Years of Lamborghini. To date over 800 Porsche 911 owners have registered for the parade, appropriately one hundred Aston Martins will take to the track for their parade, and over 100 Lamborghinis have already signed up for their appearance on track. Naturally there will be massive static display areas for all these models, apart from the always impressive displays by other clubs, and manufactures in the Motorfair area, where they will display their latest models alongside their heritage.

There is one important change from previous years - ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE! Aside from that it is business as usual, with entrance tickets providing access to all public areas including the paddocks, grandstands, and the live music concerts.

Further information, ticket prices, etc, can be found at www.silverstoneclassic.com

Keith Bluemel

05/2013.


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