MIKE AND THE MECHANICS OF WHEELER DEALING • Silverstone Classic hosts a weekend of Car Clinics with Mike Brewer • TV wheeler-dealer shares his tips with festival-goers • Iconic selection of classic cars coming under the spotlight • Time running out for car club members seeking special ticket packages    Much-loved TV personality and renowned motoring mastermind, Mike Brewer, is returning with his hugely-popular Car Clinics as one of the major off-track highlights at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (20-22 July).   Best known around the world for his leading role in the Discovery Channel’s globally-successful ‘Wheeler Dealers’ television programme, Brewer has been a regular attraction at the Classic for the past four years (photos above and top two rows below). Since being introduced in 2014, his informative and entertaining Car Clinics have proved to be a big hit with the tens of thousands of enthusiasts attending the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.   Once again, in the breaks between the unrivalled roster of retro races on Saturday and Sunday, Brewer will be casting his expert eye over a great line-up of selected classic cars, sharing hints and tips on a number of restoration projects from dusty barn finds to stunningly renovated automotive icons.   Last year’s line-up featured an eclectic mix and included everything from a 1959 Ford Zodiac to a 1996 Porsche 993 Targa. Among the other stand-out exhibits coming under Brewer’s scrutiny were a 1967 Jaguar E-type, 1974 Pontiac TransAm, 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 and a 1984 Mercedes 500 SEC once owned by F1 legend Ayrton Senna. Visitors are promised an equally diverse and appealing selection come this year’s Classic.   Ensuring everyone can share in and benefit from Brewer’s considerable expertise, his Car Clinics are located right at the heart of the event, close to the JET Big Wheel on the buzzing Village Green (photos below bottom). Access to the Clinics is totally free for all ticket holders and, with more than 10,000 privately-owned classic cars attending the three-day extravaganza, Brewer can expect large and knowledgeable audiences throughout.   “The Silverstone Classic is just about my favourite event on Earth,” he enthused. “It’s not often that you get to meet so many like-minded enthusiasts and I just love sharing all my experiences and interests with them. With so many magical things to relish both on and off the track, it’s just petrolhead heaven for anyone with even the smallest interest in cars – I’m just so thrilled to be actively involved once again.”   The festival is delighted that Brewer is back, too.   “Mike adds yet another wonderful dimension to the amazing array of entertainment on offer,” said Nick Wigley, CEO of Goose Live Events, organiser of the Silverstone Classic. “Like so many of those coming to the Classic, he has a tremendous passion for classic cars and likes nothing more than sharing his whole-hearted devotion with others.”      All tickets for this year’s Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance and members of attending car clubs have until the end of May to take advantage of a special package that includes two adult tickets plus exclusive access to cherished infield display parking areas reserved for classic car owners.   As well as free access to Mike Brewer’s Car Clinics, all tickets provide free access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings (topped by Soul II Soul and UB40 respectively), air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the epic family entertainment on offer. Options for camping and hospitality are also available. Full details of all 2018 ticket prices are detailed on thesilverstoneclassic.com website.