The UK focus of celebrations for Ferrari’s 60th Anniversary this year is the Ferrari Racing Days event at Silverstone, on 8-10 June. Action includes the UK round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli with over 30 equally-matched Ferrari F430 Challenge cars, plus the Ferrari Shell Historics, demonstrations from the F1 Clienti, and the only official UK test session of the ultra-exclusive Ferrari FXX, of which just 29 were made (plus one more for Michael Schumacher…).
The Shell Historics series is a stunning showcase for the proud history of competition Ferraris spanning 60 years, with such cars such as a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Vignale, a 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spider, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione and a 1980 Ferrari 512 BB Le Mans. Meanwhile, the F1 Clienti stable includes cars from several decades of Ferrari’s unparalleled F1 racing success, with examples of F1 cars previously driven by 7-times World Champion Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda’s 1975 Ferrari 312T. This is the sole opportunity to see both these activities plus the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli and the FXX test session, together in the UK.
Indeed, it’s the only time that all four will take place together outside the ‘Finali Mondiali’, Ferrari’s end-of-year racing celebrations in Italy.
Also on show at Silverstone will be an impressive display of 40 examples of the iconic F40. With Ferrari owners from all over the UK invited to participate – and the Ferrari Owners’ Club’s own 40th Anniversary this year, as well – it’s expected that Silverstone will see the largest gathering of Ferraris in one place in 2007.
Tickets are now available from the hotline, +44(0)8704 588 320. Special advance purchase ‘Weekend’ tickets are £20 (+ booking fee), with children under 16 free when accompanied by a paying adult. On-the-day prices are FREE on the Friday, £15 on the Saturday, or £25 on Sunday.
There will be VIP parking available for Ferrari owners who purchase tickets through their local Official Ferrari Dealer. For details of your nearest Official Ferrari Dealer, see www.ferrari.co.uk.
Editor's Note - If it's half as good as last year's ‘Finali Mondiali’ at Monza, this will be an event well worth attending. The FXX cars are more dramatic than you'd imagine, the F430 racing's as hard as it comes, and the Historics - with additional luxury sponsorship this year - are just about as good as it gets. Don't be put off by the 'big' circuit, they don't come much more sweeping and roomy than Monza and the racing last autumn was really tight.
See you there - SW
Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Ferrari GB/Classic Driver
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