THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC JUST GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER!

THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC JUST GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER!

The world’s biggest historic motor racing festival has just got even bigger and better with the addition of yet another mouth-watering grid to this year’s already record-breaking line-up.

Joining the festival’s first-ever single-seater showcase featuring a glittering array of retro F1, F2 and F3 grids and the greatest-ever field of racing Minis to mark the diminutive icon’s 60th birthday, it has been confirmed today (Thursday) that the Historic Sports Car Club’s newly re-titled Thundersports category will be a further addition to the ever-impressive racecard at the most comprehensive historic racing festival of the season.

The new addition will enjoy two spectacular showdowns: a single driver 25-minute Thundersports Sprint race on Saturday and then a longer 40-minute Thundersports Endurance race on Sunday with a mandatory pit-stop and optional driver change.

This will be the fourth season of the HSCC-organised series of races for some of the most spectacular sports and GT cars active in historic racing but is its first appearance on the highly prized Classic bill.

Cars of the type used in the World Endurance Championship, FIA GT Championship and FIA 2-Litre SportsCar Championship will race, along with Can-Am sports-racing cars from the heydays of the category in the 1970s.

The Thundersports season started at Silverstone in mid-May with a superb 30-car field, headed by the stunning DFV-powered Lola T282 of Leo Voyazides, the Chevron B26 of John Burton and the thundering 8-litre Can-Am McLaren M8F of Dean Forward. Many 2-litre sports-racers and a bumper field of Sports 2000s packed out the impressive grid.

“We are thrilled to be adding two more great races to what’s already a stand-out on-track programme at the Classic – perhaps our best ever,” stated Nick Wigley, CEO of the Silverstone Classic. “The inclusion of these Thundersports cars will add yet another dimension to an incredible feast of motorsport history which ranges from the wonderful Bentleys that raced so heroically at Le Mans in the twenties right up to the recent eras of startling prototype sports cars. With so many truly wonderful cars from yesteryear all racing on the track, this is going to be a very special Classic for all involved.”

Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the HSCC, is equally enthused. He said: “We are very excited at the opportunity to take Thundersports to the Silverstone Classic alongside our existing races there for Historic Formula 2 and Classic Formula 3. Increasing demand from competitors has made this race possible and we’re planning to deliver a full, varied and spectacular field. I’m sure our regular contenders will be joined by some welcome newcomers to Thundersports.”

Fans wishing to experience the record-breaking roster of evocative retro-races must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission is from just £45 and weekend camping and hospitality upgrades are available, too.

All tickets include entrance to both racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.  

PORSCHE AT PRESCOTT - SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2019

PORSCHE AT PRESCOTT - SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2019

Porsche 911 2.8 RSR

Porsche at Prescott is a brand-new event taking place at Prescott Hill Climb (Home of the Bugatti Owners’ Club) on Saturday 22 June 2019. The event which was proposed by competitors in the Porsche Hillclimb championship will pay homage to the iconic German marque and is actively supported by the Bugatti Owners Club, Porsche Centre Tewkesbury and Porsche Club GB.

As part of the Porsche Club National Hillclimb Championship, a full field of 35 Porsches including two previous Porsche Hillclimb champions will be competing at the UK’s most famous hill climb course, from air-cooled classics to the latest mid-engined models with transaxles thrown into the mix for good measure.

The paddock will also be graced with a mouth-watering display of iconic Porsches such as the iconic 956/007 Group C sports-prototype racing car designed by Norbert Singer and built by Porsche in 1982 for the FIA World Sportscar Championship as raced by Derek Bell and Stefan Bellof. In 1983, Bellof set the fastest record at Nürburgring (12.93 mi) in 6:11 during the qualifying of the 1000 km Sports Car race, a record which stood for a staggering 35 years.

Other fantastic examples of Stuttgart power include 1973, Porsche 911 2.8 RSR previously owned by ex-world rally champion and racer Bjorn Waldegard. This car is one of only 55 factory race cars and has an extensive race history. Another rare example of the marque is 2009, Porsche 997 4.0 RSR. This car is one of only 20 cars built. The car has competed 5 times at Le Mans, and in 29 FIA World Endurance (WEC) races and was semi-works supported with factory drivers.

As well as Championship and invitational Classes for Porsches, the event will see the welcome return of the MAC Sunrise, SBD/HSA Speed, Midland Speed Championships along with a round of Prescott’s New Barn 'B' Licence Roadgoing Championship.

Off the track, the Orchard zone will showcase a large gathering of high-performance Porsche sports cars, SUVs and sedans representing all eras of the brand. Plus guaranteed to bring a lot of hand clapping, thigh-slapping fun to Porsche at Prescott will be The Bierkeller Boys Oompah Band, the lederhosen-clad trio have performed for the likes of Ant & Dec, Stephen Mulhern, Dermot O’Leary, Keith Lemon and Vernon Kay. You can grab a beer or Prescott ale from the clubhouse and soak up the marvellous atmosphere, stunning views and top class racing at one of the oldest hill climbs in the world - Herrlich!      

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‘Supported by Porsche Centre Tewkesbury – bringing the Dealership to you’

Event date:     22 June 2019

Venue:            Prescott Hillclimb, Nr Gotherington, Cheltenham, GL52 9RD

Tickets:           £10 in advance or £15 on the gate, children under 14 years old go free.

Special discounted tickets available for members of the Porsche Club GB, please refer to PCGB website.

For further event details, competition entry or to book tickets, please visit: https://www.prescott-hillclimb.com/events/porsche-prescott-june-2019