Silverstone Classic 30th Anniversary

A lot has changed since 1990, when the first of what was then known as the Christies International Historic Festival was staged (see our March 2013 issue for the story of that first event) at Silverstone.  It was a resounding success, and despite being preceded by events such as the Oldtimer-Grand-Prix in Germany and the Grand Prix de l’Age d’Or in France, it set a new benchmark for what a successful historic festival should be.  It has now grown to a proportion that its founders probably never imagined, with 1000 entries and 100,000 visitors.

The First Historic Festival at Silverstone took place 30 years ago next year.  PHOTO ALAN COX

For a while known as the Coys Festival and now known simply as the Silverstone Classic, next year it celebrates its 30th anniversary on 26-28 July.  Not much is yet known about the programme, but we do know the Mini race is back and of course a few favourites, including the two Masters FIA races, for F1 cars and Sports Cars, and the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy race for pre-‘63 GT cars.  Another confirmed grid is the  Historic Touring Car Challenge with Tony Dron Trophy, for touring cars from 1966 to 1990.