MINI ANNIVERSARY GRID SMASHES ALL RECORDS

MINI ANNIVERSARY GRID SMASHES ALL RECORDS

Mini anniversary grid smashes all records

A world record grid of period Minis will celebrate the diminutive icon’s 60th birthday in staggering style at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July). Never before – and maybe never again – will so many Minis be seen racing all together on the track.

Fittingly 60 entries have already been received for what are going to be a pair of incredible races for the Mini Celebration Trophy Presented by Adrian Flux, marking the British legend’s sparkling Diamond Jubilee at the Classic. With a maximum of 58 starters permitted on Silverstone’s full Grand Prix circuit, latecomers are now being placed on a growing reserve list.

To ensure all festival-goers will be able to share in the Mini’s magical milestone, the action is spread across all three days with what is sure to be a frantic qualifying session on Friday ahead of two unmissable 20-minute showdowns on Saturday and Sunday.

As the entire multitude of original pre-1966 Minis are fitted with similar race-prepared 1275cc engines and built to identical technical regulations – the level of competition is going to be feisty throughout the tightly-packed record field. Even more vigorous as the unrivalled gathering also stars a number of top drivers.

Entries have come from throughout Europe – and as far afield as the US – and are headed by all the proven Mini top guns; aces such as Jonathan Lewis, Ian Curley, Bill Sollis, Lars Ekorness and Nick Swift.

These are joined by best-selling writer of crime-fiction Peter James and a number of well-known racers from the British Touring Car Championship rank: Jeff Smith, Michael Caine and Patrick Watts as well as 2013 BTCC Champion, Andrew Jordan.

“With 58 minis slipstreaming around Silverstone, these are going to be absolutely mad races!” predicts Jordan who recently gave BMW’s latest 330i M Sport its maiden win in the 2019 BTCC series opener at Brands Hatch. “I’m really looking forward to it – I utterly love historic racing and the Silverstone Classic which is now such a massive event. These Mini races will be one of my highlights of the year.

“We’ve bought a car which we’re rebuilding at the moment, which in itself is really enjoyable. We will have a few tests before the event and then see how we go. While I race historics for fun, of course, I’m going to try to win. Actually, I think we’ve got a very good chance of winning!”

While yet another world record grid is nothing out of the ordinary at the biggest retro racing festival on Earth, Silverstone Classic CEO, Nick Wigley, is understandably thrilled. “Last month we announced a record, full-capacity grid of historic F2 single-seaters and now we have the prospect of this equally incredible line-up of Minis,” he enthused. “Everyone loves the Mini and to see so many of them all racing together bumper-to-bumper on the country’s premier circuit is going to be a staggering sight that no one who’s lucky enough to witness it will ever, ever forget.”

Encouraging all Mini owners and enthusiasts of Sir Alec Issigonis’ game-changing gem to share in the spectacular Diamond Jubilee birthday party at the Classic, the event is offering a unique Mini Celebration Package, which includes an anniversary track parade at lunchtime on Friday. This cost-saving offer provides owners of original pre-2001 models with a pair of adult tickets (for Friday or the full three-day weekend), a vehicle pass giving access to the Mini Celebration display area, plus entry into the Mini Celebration track parade taking place on the full Grand Prix circuit which, over the ages, has hosted so many giant-killing Mini heroics.

Those wishing to join the party can select the Mini Celebration Package from the ticket options available on the official silverstoneclassic.com website but numbers are limited and package bookings are only possible until the end of May.

Whether or not taking advantage of the Celebration Package, all those wishing to attend this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.

Adult admission starts at £45 and all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website.

MORE RECORDS TUMBLE AS THE CLASSIC CONTINUES TO SET THE STANDARD

MORE RECORDS TUMBLE AS THE CLASSIC CONTINUES TO SET THE STANDARD

Record-breaking full-capacity F2 grid for the 2019 Silverstone Classic

Living up to its illustrious reputation as the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival, this summer’s Silverstone Classic welcomes the greatest Formula 2 grid of all time. 

Added to this year’s packed-programme for the very first time as part of a never-seen-before retro Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 single-seater showcase, no fewer than 55 entries have been received for what will be record-breaking, sold-out races on both Saturday and Sunday. 

With a maximum of 54 starters permitted on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, late entries are now being placed on a growing reserve list. 

Since being confirmed on the Silverstone Classic bill for 2019, support for the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC)-run championship has been running at unprecedented levels and the full capacity entry will far surpass any previous grid for a field of Formula 2 and Formula Atlantic single-seaters from the late 1960s and 1970s – even in period! 

“Even by our lofty standards this is an incredible turn-out and will be yet another of the spectacular highlights at this summer’s Classic,” enthused Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO. “Being fast, fun and comparatively inexpensive, F2 is proving to be a big hit with competitors while the scale of the entry and promise of some terrific racing is sure to win many new fans.” 

The entry includes drivers from the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, US, The Netherlands and Australia. Many cars with significant histories will be in action, too, including the ex-Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus 69, ex-Eddie Cheever and Clay Regazzoni Ralt RT1s, the ex-Wheatcroft Racing Chevron B29, the ex-Derek Bell Brabham BT30 and the ex-Giacomo Agostini Chevron B42. 

“Historic Formula 2 is experiencing a massive boom and the grid for the Silverstone Classic is set to smash all records,” said a delighted Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the HSCC. “The cars look and sound fantastic and to see a full grid of these cars will be amazing.” 

The Classic is also expecting a record-breaking grid of Minis to mark the original pocket-rockets 60th birthday plus huge numbers of racing Bentleys and Capris to mark their respective centenary and golden anniversaries. A not-to-be-missed Twilight Tribute to Le Mans has also been announced with three packed sportscar grids racing into the sunset on Saturday evening. 

All those wishing to attend this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance, with adult admission starting at £45.

Once again, all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer marks the 50thanniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website.

VOLKSWAGEN AT THE TECHNO CLASSICA 2019: RECORDS, CABRIOLETS AND A TRAINEE PROJECT

VOLKSWAGEN AT THE TECHNO CLASSICA 2019: RECORDS, CABRIOLETS AND A TRAINEE PROJECT

Volkswagen Hebmüller Cabriolet and Karmann Cabriolet

Wolfsburg/Essen – Volkswagen Classic is presenting three themed areas at the world’s largest fair for vintage automobiles. Six unique record breakers and a 68-page booklet recount superlative achievements from the world of Volkswagen. “Summer Forever” honours 70 years of the Beetle Cabriolet with two rare exhibits. “Youth at Work” displays a special apprentice project: trainees from Volkswagen Osnabrück will complete the restoration of a classic in Hall 4.0.

Record breakers – legendary Volkswagen vehicles

They have set the benchmark with their speed, endurance or economy: Volkswagen Classic presents six exhibits from three decades of Volkswagen record breaking.

The most recent record-breaking car is a thoroughbred racer: the Volkswagen W12 set ten international records at the high-speed circuit in Nardò (Italy) in 2001. The following year, the 400-kW (600-PS) experimental vehicle bettered all of its own records and set a new 24-hour world record with an average speed of 322.89 km/h. The W12 Nardo’s records still stand to this day.

Back in 2000, the Lupo 3L TDI “80 Days” set out to set an economy record: under the motto “Around the World in 80 Days”, two Lupo 3L TDI covered exactly 33,333 kilometres on their journey through 22 countries. The average consumption of just 2.38 litres per 100 kilometres earned the car its place in the Guinness Book of Records – as the most economical production car in the world.

In 1988, two pilot-series Corrado G60 set six class records at the Volkswagen test facility in Ehra-Lessien. Visitors to Essen can see one of the 162-kW (220-PS) sports coupés from 1987.

A three-wheel prototype generating 0.2 kW (0.272 PS) set a consumption world record in 1982: the SMVW (Volkswagen Ecomobile) completed a 1,491-kilometre route on just one litre of diesel.

Built in 1974, the Golf I “Alaska-Tierra del Fuego” is one of the oldest production Golf. In October 1974, together with another bright-yellow Golf I, this car undertook what is probably the longest test drive by a new model: 30,517 kilometres, from Fairbanks (Alaska) to Ushuaia (Argentina).

On 17 February 1972, the Beetle became the most-built car in the world. To mark this production record, Volkswagen released its first special edition: the Beetle 1302 S “World Champion”.

Mission Maximum – page after page of records

The new booklet “Mission Maximum” is packed with intriguing stories from the world of Volkswagen. You can pick up the 68-page booklet free of charge from the Volkswagen Classic exhibition stand.

Summer Forever – 70 years of the Beetle Cabriolet

In 1949, Volkswagen launched its first topless production version of Type 1 (“Beetle”). To mark the 70th anniversary, Volkswagen Classic is proud to present to extremely rare models: a Karmann Cabriolet (Type 151) from 1949, the first year of production, and a 1950 Hebmüller Cabriolet (Type 14A), one of only 696 cars built.

Youth at Work – the Volkswagen Osnabrück trainee project

An extraordinary internship: since December 2018, Fábio Lopes and Marvin Wiethölter have been restoring a Type 3 TL, including an engine upgrade to Type 4. The trainee auto mechanics in the field of system and high-voltage technology at Volkswagen Osnabrück will complete their assembly of the 1968 classic at the Techno Classica.

The world of Volkswagen Classic

Volkswagen Classic is showing nine models from its own collection, Volkswagen AutoMuseum foundation and Autostadt Wolfsburg. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Oldtimer will also be present in Hall 4.0, marking the 40th anniversary of the T3 and 60 years of civil speed control. You can find information regarding original spare parts at the Volkswagen Classic Parts stand.

Over 1,250 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and over 200 clubs and international communities are expected at the 120,000-m² site of the 31st Techno Classica in Essen. 2,700 collector’s items will also be up for sale. In 2018 the world’s leading fair for the vintage car sector was visited by 188,000 people from 41 countries.

2001 Volkswagen W12 Nardo