The Silverstone Classic - 23-24-25 July 2010

Celebrating 60 years of the Formula One™ World Championship

Now a firm favourite in the historic racing calendar and a great weekend out for the family, The 2010 Silverstone Classic 2010 will celebrate 60 years of the Formula One™ World Championship at the circuit where it all first started, with cars depicting the F1™ grids of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s all racing on the historic GP circuit. These will be joined by a range of classic racers from the 1920s to the 1990s covering saloons, sports, touring and open wheel.

FLAT OUT FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

The Silverstone Classic is one of the largest classic racing events in the world, aiming to become the World’s Biggest Classic Racing Festival. The event was established nearly 20 years ago and recently the spectator attendance has grown to the level of 65,000 in 2009.

Open pit garages, a variety of family-led entertainment including a historic Funfair, Air Displays, exhibitions, trade stalls, food outlets and, of course, Friday and Saturday live music concerts make this a unique experience for race fans, car enthusiasts and the whole family. The paddock suites make a great base for the day - comfortable private facilities with all your catering, ideal for a breather between walkabouts to see the displays, plus the racing to watch right outside on your own private terrace.

Over 100 classic car clubs will display over 5,000 members' cars inside the venue. Plus over 700 rare classic race cars worth well over £100 million, driven by around 1000 owner/racers (some races have two drivers). The grids will have examples of the best quality races available in each of the decades from the pre-war era through to the 90s. These cover Grand Prix, Le Mans, Sports and Touring cars. There will be aerial displays, hot air balloon ascents, a Victorian fun fair with the addition of some extreme rides, a retail village with over 100 traders. 

Harley-Davidson is returning with an even bigger display than last year and again spectators can wonder at the on-track stunts being performed on these bikes. Special displays and parades will showcase later cars including Senna’s first F1 car, the turbo Toleman Hart, Schumacher's 1992 Benetton, and the Damon Hill 1996 World Championship-winning Williams Renault.

The Masters Series is again bringing a large grid of 1960s and 1970s Le Mans cars, which have been the star races of recent Classics. You can expect to see Lola, Porsche, Ferrari and Alfa with drivers such as past le Mans winner Jackie Oliver and IndyCar champion Bobby Rahal up against the current stars of historic sports car racing.

Bonhams auctioneers are the auction partner again in 2010 having achieved a 100% of lots sold at the 2009 event.

Celebrities add glamour to any event and the 2009 Classic had Murray Walker as its ambassador plus Sir Stirling Moss, Richard Attwood, Jackie Oliver, and Bobby Rahal from the racing world and Chris Rea, Mark Knopfler, and others from the music world.

New for 2010 will be a celebrity race on the Friday evening, in which celebrities new to the world of motor racing will be able to pit their newly discovered skills behind the wheel of a race car against each other on the full historic GP circuit. Driving specially race prepared road cars, the celebrities will first attend training to gain their race licences, and then go into battle in identical performance cars providing a great TV and crowd pleasing spectacle.

Rocking and Racing! Last year, the event concept changed to include live music concerts on the Friday (Toploader, Blue, and Pussycat Dolls) and Saturday (Carlos Santana) nights. 2010 performances include Dr Feelgood and The Yardbirds on Friday evening, and Rick Parfitt Jr on Saturday evening with further acts yet to be announced. 

Friday evening - The Yardbirds and Dr Feelgood - The Yardbirds were the starting point for three of the greatest British rock guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. Although these three figures did much to shape the group’s sound, throughout their career the Yardbirds were truly one of the great rock bands; remember their half dozen or so mid-’60s hits (“For Your Love,” “Heart Full of Soul,” “Shapes of Things,” “I’m a Man,” “Over Under Sideways Down,” “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago”).

Saturday evening - Rick Parfitt Junior - Born into rock royalty, Rick Parfitt Jnr has accomplished rock star status in his own right. The RPJ Rock Band features talented musicians with a diverse touring and recording history, having worked with artists ranging from Robbie Williams to Girls Aloud and James Morrison.

Combining these influences, Rick and the RPJ Rock Band cleverly create their own rock versions of classic pop, indie, blues and rock tunes, providing audiences with brilliant rock ‘n’ roll entertainment.

PADDOCK SUITE HOSPITALITY - FROM 1 TO 60 PLACES

Book places in our suites for any day of this great weekend. Your hospitality package will include:

• Circuit admission ticket, VIP suite pass
• Breakfast on arrival - bacon/sausage rolls, fruit, cereals
• 2 course buffet lunch with fresh coffee and mints
• Complimentary bar - beer, wine and soft drinks (11am-6pm)
• Tea, coffee and biscuits available all day
• Viewing from our terrace, overlooking the pit lane entrance (and possibly the starting grid)
• VIP parking (1 per 4 guests) - subject to availability

Price per person before UK VAT at 17.5%: Friday: £99   Saturday: £125   Sunday: £125

Exclusive suite bookings are still available for groups of up to 30 guests to your own specification. Please call us to discuss your requirements. A great option is a Saturday evening BBQ for private groups, which the evening race is on.

Want to book places or to know more? Please contact us by email now or call 01787 269710.

Janice Minton

3 May 2010