Classic action at Silverstone

Record gathering of XJ220s promised at Formula 1’s home

IT’S DESCRIBED AS the ultimate celebration of classic cars and offers the largest number of Historic racing cars across the widest variety of Historic racing grids. And it’s held at the home of the British Grand Prix, over the weekend of 28-30 July.

Big news this year is the plan to host the largest-ever gathering of Jaguar XJ220s, celebrating the car’s 25th anniversary. ‘We’re hoping for more than 40 cars,’ said specialist Don Law. ‘There are about 20 in the UK and often 15 of ’em in my workshop. Organising this has been a secret until now, so if you want to get involved, get in touch.’

Other celebrations include 50 years of Formula Ford. ‘It launched the career of Emerson Fittipaldi – and me,’ laughed the TV presenter and racing driver Tiff Needell, during the Silverstone Classic preview day.

Parked outside was the Williams-Renault FW14B piloted to championship victory by Nigel Mansell 25 years ago, an anniversary that will be celebrated at the event along with 40 years of the team. And among the race grids for this year, other highlights include FIA Masters Historic F1, the new Jaguar Classic Challenge, the Le Mans cars of the FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars which will race evocatively into the gathering dusk, and the charity fund-raising Austin A35 Celebrity Challenge Trophy featuring adventurer Charlie Boorman, goldmedal rowers Mark Hunter and Steve Redgrave, car-mad TV bloke Ant Anstead – and Octane’s very own David Lillywhite.

Kids can enjoy the funfair, there’s shopping for all, and musical entertainment will be provided by 1980s ex-Spandau Ballet balladeer Tony Hadley as well as a celebration of the 1967 Summer of Love with tribute acts The Bootleg Beatles and Are You Experienced?, a highly regarded Jimi Hendrix band.

For more info, visit silverstoneclassic.com.