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Look at the Silverstone Classic website and you’ll be greeted by a banner that describes the 3 day event in July as – ”The world’s biggest motor racing festival”.
Text & photos: Scott Dennis
And it really is hard to argue with that claim – the first day this year saw a staggering 14 qualifying sessions take place with drivers from over 25 countries competing in more than 1,000 historic racing cars, from Grand Prix cars of the 1940’s, historic Formula 1 cars competing in the FIA Masters Historic Championship to Super Touring Cars from the glory days of British Touring Car Championship.
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If that wasn’t enough of a field there were Group C prototypes, including the Leyton House liveried Porsche 962 (a favourite of mine), all gracing the Silverstone circuit along with cars from the Can-Am series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Can-Am race in North America.
When the circuit wasn’t filled with the sights and sounds of this incredible mix of historic cars ‘doing their thing’ racing, it played host to a number of parades to celebrate milestone anniversaries for manufacturers such as Porsche, Lotus and Lamborghini.
There is also much to see at the Silverstone Classic with over 10,000 privately-owned classic cars filling the infield representing owners clubs of all types.
However, the real action is most definitely on the track and it’s a real treat to see some of these cars racing as they were intended to be raced by their drivers, especially considering the impressive value of some of the cars competing.
Once the races are underway the competitive instincts take over and these ‘gentleman racers’ push their prized machinery to the limits. On occasion these limits are exceeded and cars spin and a little bit of ‘rubbing’ takes place, but thankfully these aren’t commonplace and in most cases the only thing hurt is pride.
I enjoyed what the Silverstone Classic had to offer for all three days this year – one day just isn’t enough! If you haven’t been, and I’m assuming if you’re reading this you have a small interest in historic racing – get yourself there next year!
Here’s a selection of my favourite images from my time there, I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I did taking them…
Click through the slideshow below to view all 102 images
Elsewhere on Classic Proof:
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