Silverstone is all set to see the summer out in sensational style with The Classic (26-28 August) – a massive fun-fuelled festival combining the very best of historic motor sport with a jam-packed feast of activities for the whole family.
The three-day extravaganza will play host to a packed programme of 20 thrilling races covering all of motor racing’s golden eras and will feature more fun-fuelled family entertainment than ever before – all proudly delivered under the ‘Best of British’ banner.
Ensuring there really is something for everyone, new additions include a Foodie Fest with masterclasses from top TV chefs, incredible world exclusive showcases of James Bond and Lewis Hamilton cars, high-flying displays by world famous BMXers and three evenings of live music from chart-toppers. It all adds up to the must-see end-of-summer festival at the home of British motor racing.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and a wide range of choices are offered including day, weekend and camping options. Admission for accompanied children aged under 16 is FREE.
10 Ten Reasons to visit the event:
1. The World’s Biggest Historic Motor Racing Festival has access all areas
The Classic serves up unrivalled retro racing action on the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. This year’s action-packed on-track programme features 20 spectacular showdowns with glittering grids reviving all of motorsport’s golden eras of Formula One, Sports Cars, GT and Touring Cars. Everything is covered from the pre war era right the way through to modern day GT4s. Tickets include access to open trackside grandstands as well as both National and International Paddocks allowing everybody not only to get up-close to all the remarkable cars that have raced through history but also to talk to the drivers and race preparers.
2. Family Fun
The Classic offers a huge variety of all family fun, with unlimited funfair rides, crazy golf, a shopping village plus a feast of live entertainment such as Record-breaking Terry Grant with his crowd-pleasing stunt shows in the tyre-spinning Shift & Drift Zone. Burning yet more rubber, dramatic demo runs curated by Slowly Sideways will see many of rallying’s greatest icons revving up twice a day. Plus in the The Classic’s awe-inspiring Adrenaline Zone you will see Team Extreme’s mind-blowing extreme sports athletes, including BMX legends Declan Brooks and Kieran Reilly, wowing crowds with their amazing high-flying skills on a 6m spine ramp. Coaching sessions will also be offered for thrill-seekers wanting to give it a go. All accompanied under 16s go free. Finally, Kids and teenagers aged between 10-17 can get behind the wheel of a road car for the very first time at The Classic with the Young Driver initiative making a welcome return. Budding sports stars can pit themselves again the best in a Batak-Style reaction test, and with the FIFA World Cup Finals fast approaching, Yokohama will be back at The Classic with its popular football skills coaching sessions, courtesy of the MK Dons Sports Education Trust – perfect training for the soccer stars of the future.
3. Grand Prix Grids and so many cars on display
Hot on the heels of the British Grand Prix, this year The Classic will be celebrating Formula One past and present like never before with a stunning showcase of the latest F1 cars on pole position at Silverstone. Alpine, Aston Martin Racing, Red Bull Racing and Williams will all be represented including all seven of Sir Lewis Hamilton’s World Championship winning Formula One cars will be on display together for the very first time.
There will also be an incredible display of cars from the latest James Bond blockbuster No Time To Die as a major attraction at The Classic. On public show for the very first time, the eye-catching line-up of 007 film stars will be previewing a special charity auction organised by EON Productions and Christie’s to celebrate 60 years of Bond. Plus a collection of 50 once unexceptional and now seldom spotted motoring mainstays is being curated by The Daily Telegraph with support from MotorEasy. Think ‘my dad used to have one of those’ Metros, Chevettes and Sierras.
Adding to the show will be, in excess of 100 car clubs will be providing incredible displays of privately owned classics. What’s more, famous marques and models celebrating standout milestones will be taking to the Silverstone track for celebratory parades – this summer’s big birthdays include the AC Cobra, Lotus Elan and MGB. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first-ever race for Group C sportscars which was staged at Silverstone in 1982, The Classic will honour the significant milestone with special displays and track demos. Adding extra stardust, five time Le Mans winner, Derek Bell MBE, will be back in the hot seat of a legendary Rothmans Porsche 962.
4. Live Music on all three nights!
For the very first time, live music from chart-toppers will feature across all three evenings. Those helping festival-goers to dance the nights away include The Cuban Brothers, Björn Again, Sister Sledge, Gabrielle, Dodgy and Rick Astley. Entrance to all the live music performances is included in the price of admission.
5. Diddly Squat
Jeremy Clarkson’s notorious Diddly Squat Farm Shop is popping-up at The Classic. As introduced in the car-loving TV personality’s latest Amazon Prime hit show Clarkson’s Farm, the pop-up will be selling a range of bespoke Diddly Squat products including branded merchandise. If Caleb isn’t there in a big Tractor then I will be most disappointed!
6. Celebrities!
The Classic always attracts motor sport legends both on and off the track. Recent years have seen both Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill take to the circuit to honour their past titles. One racing legend already confirmed for this weekend is Carl Fogarty, the four-time World Superbike Champion.He will be among the racing royalty being interviewed on the Adrian Flux stand. Expect other luminaries, too. Back by popular demand, the original ‘Wheeler Dealer’ Mike Brewer returns to The Classic with his ever-entertaining and informative Car Clinics, supported by Car Gods. This year he’s joined by fellow TV presenter Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestley on the main stage.
7. Foodie Fest
The Classic’s all new Foodie Fest will be exciting the taste buds with masterclasses from celebrity chefs and a mouth-watering artisan market celebrating local fare. Those hosting the cooking demos include Lesley Waters, Niall Kirkland and Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown. The Classic’s new Foodie Fest also includes a number of tasty street food outlets as well as a Tasting Tent offering visitors a brilliant chance to sample a selection of wines, beers and spirits.
8. Switch Live
There is far more to The Classic than drooling nostalgia. With eyes on the present and future, Switch Live powered by myenergi will offer visitors the opportunity to test drive some of the latest electric and hybrid cars on the market and find out more about EV ownership. Forward-thinking manufacturers taking part include CUPRA, Ford, Genesis, MG, Nissan and Polestar. The incredible McMurtry Spéirling electric fan car, which recently smashed the Goodwood Hillclimb record, will also be on show.
9. Under The Hammer
A wide-ranging, two-day Silverstone Auctions sale sees an eye-catching collection of road or racing classics coming under the hammer. Lots include a Mercedes SL once owned by Stirling Moss, a Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible once owned by Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees and the much-loved Ford Escort RS Turbo of Diana, Princess of Wales..
10. Formula 1 demonstrations and Honouring Sir Frank Williams
The remarkable life and achievements of legendary Formula One team founder Sir Frank Williams CBE, who sadly passed away last November, will be saluted at The Classic. It was at Silverstone that Williams scored the first of its 114 Grands Prix wins and the victorious FW07 from 1979 will be leading the tributes. Plus daily track displays – organised by Ignition GP – will bring back the awesome high-revving V8, V10 and V12 powertrains introduced at the end of the 1980s.
Full details of both day and weekend tickets for The Classic 2022 at Silverstone – which all must be purchased in advance – can be found at: www.silverstone.co.uk/events/the-classic.
If you can’t make it you can watch all the action live right here: www.youtube.com/silverstoneclassictv
Timing: https://www.tsl-timing.com
Photo Credits: The Classic,Silverstone Press.
