Silverstone Classic 2018 Report

Huge crowds enjoyed a fantastic weekend of historic motorsport last weekend (20th-22nd July) as the 2018 Silverstone Classic took place under sunny skies. 21 races over two days kept the crowd entertained, along with a wealth of off-track entertainment, live music and some wonderful car club displays.

Racing began early on Saturday morning with the first of four races to celebrate the end of the Historic Formula Junior world tour. First up was the Jim Clark Trophy for cars built between 1958 and 1960, with Will Mitcham taking the opening win of the weekend in his U2 Mk2. Later on, in the first race for later cars built between 1961 and 1963, Sam Wilson took the flag in his Lola Mk2.

A pair of races for historic sportscars on Saturday morning whet the appetite for the ‘Daytona at Dusk’ spectacular later in the day. In the Pre-’63 GT race for the prestigious RAC Tourist Trophy, Martin Hunt and Patrick Blakeney-Edwards emerged victorious in their AC Cobra, followed up by Chris Ward taking the Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre-1961 Sports Cars in his Lister Jaguar Knobbly.

Saturday afternoon’s racing began with the first race of the weekend for the FIA Masters Historic Formula 1 Championship.

Nick Padmore was dominant in his Williams FW07C

Nick Padmore was never headed as he rocketed away from pole position, eventually winning by over 16 seconds from Michael Lyons’ Hesketh 308E. Christophe D’Ansembourg completed the podium, inheriting third place after a late race clash between Martin Stretton and the Ligier of Matteo Ferrer-Aza.

The Jet Super Touring Car Trophy opened the touring car action for the weekend, and BTCC legend Rickard Rydell almost took a popular victory. Rydell had to settle for a close second behind the Honda Accord of James Dodd.

With the sun beginning to set, the Pre-1966 GT grid formed up to start the trio of ‘Daytona at Dusk’ races.

Jake Hill emerged from a chaotic race at the head of the field in his little Lotus Elan, taking a giant killing victory over a gaggle of Jaguar E-Types and AC Cobras. Although aided by a lengthy saftey car period, it was an impressive drive from Hill to beat much more powerful opposition.

Next up was the Yokohama Trophy for FIA World Sportscar Masters. Oliver Bryant thundered to victory in his Lola T70 Chevrolet, after the McLaren M6B Can-Am car of Andrew and Max Banks suffered a late mechanical failure whilst leading the race comfortably.

Saturday’s track action ended with the keenly anticipated Masters Endurance Legends twilight race. Catering for GTs and Prototypes built between 1995 and 2012, the field made for a hugely evocative sight as they took the start in the fading light. Steve Tandy took victory in his ex-Dyson Racing LMP1 Lola, ahead of Christophe D’Ansembourg in the glorious Lola Aston Martin DBR1-2.

Steve Tandy flat out in his LMP1 Lola

Sunday was dubbed Tin-Top Sunday in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the British Touring Car Championship, with several races for touring cars of all ages on the bill.

Opening the day’s saloon car events was a 50 minute race for Under 2-Litre Touring Cars, and current WTCR star Rob Huff proved too strong to beat, taking the win by 16 seconds after taking over from car owner Andy Wolfe.

Nick and Harry Whale took a dominant win in the Historic Touring Car Challenge at the wheel of their immaculately prepared BMW E30 M3, setting the stage for the second race of the weekend for the Jet Super Touring Car Trophy.

Rickard Rydell again tried hard to come out on top, leading a few laps at the wheel of his Volvo S40, but James Dodd was once again able to regain the lead to complete a double victory for the weekend. Completing the podium was 1989 and 1995 BTCC champion John Cleland.

Sunday was not wall-t0-wall touring cars, with races for FIA Masters Historic F1 and the Masters Endurance Legends proving to be a highlight.

Nick Padmore took his second win of the weekend in his Williams FW07C , after fighting through from eighth on the reversed grid. Michael Lyons was again second, with Martin Stretton third after a great scrap with Chrisophe D’Ansembourg.

Steve Tandy also completed the double by winning Sunday’s Masters Endurance Legends race, with Herve Regout second in the Lola Aston Martin, and David Porter third in his stunning Peugeot 908 HDi. Sixth on the road, and first in LMP2 went to Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy driving a Courage LC75.

Full results from a fantastic weekend can be found here.

Words and photography by Rich Crawford.