Licence mix-up causes last-minute corner swap
Some competitors were confused by the use of two different track layouts at the Silverstone Classic last weekend.
A bulletin issued on the Thursday before the event stated that the Historic Grand Prix circuit, with the faster version of Club, could only be used by cars built up to December 31 1971. That meant that FIA Masters Historic Formula 1, Historic Sports Car Club Road Sports, the Super Touring Car Trophy, FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars, Masters Endurance Legends and Historic Touring Car Challenge races had to run on the modern F1 circuit with the tight Club chicane.
All races at recent Classics have used the Historic GP track and some drivers were disappointed about the apparent track licence change. But Autosport understands that the track licence has always had a cut-off – previously to the end of 1965 – that was actually extended for last weekend.
Once the oversight was spotted the bulletin was issued so that all competitors knew the situation.
A Motor Sports Association spokesperson said: “The FIA has recently conducted a simulation for Historic Vale and recommends the standard GP layout for its sanctioned competitions at Silverstone. However, for national events we do allow the use of Historic Vale for cars built up to 1971, hence some races at the Silverstone Classic were able to use Historic Vale while others were not. All aspects of both the FIA and MSA track licences are carefully considered in the interests of safety.”
None of the other parties involved wished to comment, but it seems likely that the cut-off will remain.
Although the tighter version of Club did make the circuit less flowing for the later cars, it also provided extra overtaking opportunities, including in the F1 and Super Touring races.