Silverstone Classic: More than just a race meeting.

In July tens of thousands of people head to Silverstone to enjoy a weekend of top class international racing - among other things. No I'm not talking about the British Grand Prix, but the Silverstone Classic, a festival for want of a better word for the petrol head who maybe wishes to see great on track action and maybe a little more, with cars ranging from early 1900s right up to early 2000s there is something for everyone on display - and racing. Racing hard! Sports cars, Touring cars, GTs, Prototypes and F1 all feature in both high speed demonstration runs and proper (and on occasion sanctioned) races.

For most the main draws will be the 1970s/80s FIA Historic F1, FIA Historic Group C and the Super Touring BTCC machines of the 90s but the line up will also include:

Pre war Sports cars
Pre 1966 GT & Pre 1967 Sports cars competing for the Gurads Trophy
Sub 2 litre Touring car category (expect plenty of Lotus Cortinas)
Historic Formula Juniors (around 60+ cars supposedly entered.
Pre 1966 F1
Pre 1963 GTs in the RAC Trophy

Plus plenty more, open paddocks give you, the fan a chance to get up close and personal with the cars, drivers and crews.
The event has a family freindly feel to with plenty of attractions to keep those who don't enjoy the high speed on track antics as much as some, and for the most part they are free!
A fun fair keeps the children amused.
Mini 9 hole golf
A climbing wall
Giant Scalextric
Massages
Static car club displays..
It goes on, it has been said that it is possible to attend the weekend and not see any racing at all.
On the Friday and Saturday night concerts are held, Friday seeing Paul Young perform with support from a ZZ Top and Fletwood Mac covers band while Saturday sees Status Quo take the stage at no extra cost to ticket holders.

The Silverstone Classic, this year takes place on the weekend of the 24th-26th July and MSport Talk will be there to give you the lowdown on what is going on both on and off the track.

Think of it as an expansion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed but, where at Goodwood the cars run up the hill on a demonstration run for the most part here, everything is a race with shiny trophies and in many case championship points on offer.

Fancy a bit of on track action yourself? Well be quick! Owners of silver cars can take their vehicle on track at selected times of the day for a pace lap to celebrate the events 25th (silver) anniversary. Failing that Caterham Cars will be in attendance offering a drift experience but, if you fancy something a little slower why not try the "Tin Snail Challenge" a Citroen 2CV with blacked out screen and a "co pilot" sitting out the open roof shouting directions to you as you drive around an obstacle course, sound easy? Well just remember that the car steers left when you turn right and vice versa!

In short the Silverstone Classic is set to be a fantastic family day/weekend out with plenty to do if you happen not to enjoy the high octane excitement on track.

I'll be there will you be one of the other 999,999 expected in attendance?

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