Silverstone Classic this weekend welcomes World GP Bike Legends 

This weekend sees the annual Silverstone Classic take place at the famous Northants circuit. Now arguably the biggest historic racing festival it is the place to be this weekend if you enjoy watching some of the most famous historic race cars being raced competitively.

This year, amongst the stunning array of machinery battling it out on track visitors will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of two wheel World Champions and GP heroes on 500cc two strokes. Troy Corser, Wayne Gardner, Jim Redman, Phil Read, Christian Sarron and Freddie Spencer are all at the event and will be riding some of the legendary and well respected machines from the golden age of 2 stroke GP racing.

Troy Corser (AUS) 1981 Kawasaki KR500

The Aussie racer competed in seven 500cc GPs in 1997 and boasts 377 Superbike World Championship starts from 1992 to 2011 with 33 wins, 130 podiums and 43 pole positions. Superbike World Champion in 1996 & 2005.

Simon Crafar (NZL) 1989 Cagiva V589

Simon raced in 32 250cc and 500cc GPs between 1993-1999 winning the British 500cc GP at Donington in 1998.

Didier de Radigues (BEL) 1998 Suzuki RGV500 XR88

Didier raced in 82 500cc GPs between 1983-1991 with two podium finishes. Four wins in 250cc & 350cc GPs with 12 pole positions.

Wayne Gardner (AUS) 1999 Suzuki RGV500 XR89

500cc World Champion in 1987, 2nd in the both 1986 & 1988 World Championships. 18 500cc GP wins, 51 podiums, 19 pole positions & 19 fastest laps.

Phil Read (UK) 1976 Suzuki RG500 Mk1

500cc World Champion in 1973 & 1974 with 10 500cc GP wins from 1973-1975. 250cc World Champion in 1964, 1965, 1968 & 1971. 125cc World Champion in 1968. Scored 52 GP wins.

Jim Redman (UK) 1980 Suzuki RG500

250cc and 350cc double World Champion in 1962 & 1963. 350cc World Champion in 1964 & 1965. Scored 45 GP wins, 98 podiums & 35 fastest laps.

Christian Sarron (FRA) 1995 Yamaha YZR500

Raced in 148 250cc/350cc/500cc GPs from 1976-1990 with 7 wins, 37 podium and 11 pole positions. 1984 250cc World Champion.

Niggi Schmassmann (SUI) 1996 Yamaha YZR500

Raced in 57 500cc GPs between 1988-1996. Niggi is 4 time German 500cc Champion.

Freddie Spencer (USA) 1984 Honda NS500

1983 500cc World Champion the only man ever to win both 500cc/250cc World Championships which he did in 1985. 27 GP wins, 39 podiums, 33 pole positions and 24 fastest laps.

Paddock42’s Rich Crawford will be at the 2 day event, look out for Rich’s blog and images on P42 next week.

Full details for the event this weekend can be found at www.silverstoneclassic.com.