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Silverstone Classic: Rock On

Which day you visit the Silverstone Classic could well depend on whether you’re a fan of Carlos Santana. Our Editor has Saturday firmly in mind, with its promise of a full day of top-level historic motor racing, the late-afternoon Bonhams auction, the World Sports Car Masters race in the evening twilight followed – at 9.30pm – by the Carlos Santana concert. Even Friday evening’s promise of Pussycat Dolls will, I’m sure, do little to distract him from his chosen course.

Music is very much a theme at this year’s Silverstone Classic – even on the track. In the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy, for example, Chris Rea will be racing his silver 1955 Lotus Mk 6 (in direct competition with Sir Stirling Moss, in his 1956 Osca FS 372). Elsewhere in the meeting, Mark Knopfler will be putting his AC ACE Bristol through its paces.

But for most people, it’s the Classic’s multi-million pound grids of historic racing cars which provide the real draw – from the David Leslie Memorial Trophy celebrating four decades of Touring Cars, through the pre-1963 GT sports cars race, promising short-wheelbase Ferraris and Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagatos, to the BRDC Historic Sportscars, with a staggering 12 Listers in among the 44 entries.

Alongside the on-track action, of course, are the usual displays from such clubs as Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus, Rolls-Royce and Maserati. There’s a Harley-Davidson village and, for the children, even a free Victorian funfair. For tickets and further details, see www.silverstoneclassic.com.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Silverstone Classic


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