Born on this day

In memoriam on this day

Silverstone, the scene of the very first World Championship Grand Prix on May 13th 1950, saw the assembled motor racing press gather almost exactly 63 years later for the launch of the 2013 Silverstone Classic.

Now in its 23rd year the event will be celebrating many milestones in motoring and motor racing history. Amongst these will be the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin, which has the honor of being the event’s official ‘Featured Celebration Marque for 2013’, showcased with a breathtaking parade of over 100 past and present Aston Martin models at lunchtime on the Saturday.



Another milestone is the 50th anniversary of Porsche’s iconic 911 model and the sight of 911 examples of the marque circulating around the historic venue should be a spectacular sight.

Historic Motor Racing, once regarded as a poor relation of the modern forms of the sport, has changed dramatically over the past decade. Not only is the racing highly colourful and varied but also fiercely competitive. Cars such as 1960s Ferrari GTOs, valued at over $40,000,000, do not sit collecting dust in museums and air conditioned garages, they are taken out and raced on tracks and tours such as the Mille Miglia Retrospective. They are even crashed as was American Investor Mike Cox’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO at the historic Reims-Gueux race track in France.

With increased values have come celebrity owners such as Chris Evans, Nick Mason and Lord Drayson. They are joined by retuning heroes of the track with Sir Stirling Moss being a regular competitor until quite recently.

Events at Goodwood, Le Mans and Monaco have all added to the appeal of this form of motor sport and have become as much part of the social scene as motor racing events.

The Silverstone Classic has the envious position of being the ‘the World’s Largest Classic Motor Racing Festival’ with as much action on the track as in the hospitality suites, displays and attractions spread across the venue.



On show throughout the weekend will be 24 races, featuring a wide range of historic Formula One, sportscar, GT and touring car grids, which based on past events, will prove to be an exhilarating spectacle. The entertainment will not end there, with live music, areal displays, car clubs, auctions and more appeal to both racing enthusiasts and perhaps their not quite so enthusiastic partners!

One feature of the Press Day was former British Formula One driver and BBC commentator David Coulthard, who (whilst filming for the British GP in the coming months) drove Jim Clark's legendary 1963 Lotus 25 around the circuit, giving demonstration as to why historic racing is still so highly respected throughout the sport.



With the press day offering a universal feel of nostalgia, and a peak into the abundance of cars that will be on show, it’s a wonder as to the abundance of nostalgic action that will be prevail, come July 26th.

David Coulthard “The Silverstone Classic is a great event. This is the biggest participation motor sport event in the world and that tells you all you need to know. People are here because they’re passionate about motor sport and its history.”

Tim Harvey “It’s a ‘must do’ event! If you like getting up close to some of the world’s greatest cars from the history of the sport then you’ll love the Classic. You can get right up close to the cars and drivers over the weekend and the racing is first class. Mix that all in with a bit of rock music and some sunshine and it’s just a fantastic event.”

For further information on tickets and details on the event click here

Beau Cleveland Copeman