Silverstone Classic 2019 Preview

Numerous marques celebrated milestone anniveraries ahead the summer festival’s warm-up.

The world’s largest classic motor racing festival welcomed more than 150 cars on 10th April, many of which were shakedown tested as a teaser to media and fans alike ahead of the main summer event in July 2019. A key name among these racing cars was Mini, celebrating its 60th birthday in 2019, which will feature more than 50 pre-1966 cars at the main event. Representing the marque was Mini rallying legend Paddy Hopkirk, winner of the 1964 Monte Carly Rally, who was re-united with the winning car a the preview. Hopkirk would also contemporary Mini racers Steve Neal, John Rhodes and Gordon Spice. Spice’s motorsport tenure is arguably more synonymous with his exploits with the Ford Capri, which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2019. Bentley celebrates is centenary anniversary in 2019 and the Crewe-based 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner was represented by two of its three drivers who took victory at the iconic endurance race in 2003: Tom “Mr Le Mans” Kristensen, who had won the race a record nine times, and Guy Smith.

Aston Martin will add its voice to the choir at the Classic with its recently founded Aston Martin Heritage Racing, which will debut at the summer main event with numerous historic Aston racing cars expected to compete at the festival. Also making its debut at Silverstone Classic in 2019 will be the HSCC Historica Formula 2 series where cars from the 1967 to 1978 seasons will be eligible to compete.

Paul Stewart (former Stewart Grand Prix MD and Jaguar Racing COO) was a special guest at the Preview Day as he discussed the appointment of Alzheimer’s Research UK as Silverstone Classic’s official charity partner. The venture between the two organisations will raise money for a dementia initiative created by Stewart’s father, none other than three-time F1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who will be attending the main event in the summer.

The 2019 Silverstone Classic summer event will take place from 26-28th July 2019.