MASERATI’S 100TH CELEBRATED AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2014

Over 200 Maserati road and competition models paraded around the Silverstone circuit at the weekend.

Sir Stirling Moss reunited with stunning Maserati 250F

As the Silverstone Classic’s official Celebration Marque for the 2014 event, Maserati celebrated its centenary in style with hundreds of cars taking part this weekend at the Northamptonshire circuit.

Racing legend Sir Stirling Moss OBE led out the largest collection of Grand Prix cars ever assembled to mark the anniversary of the 50th Grand Prix held at Silverstone. In 1948 the first ever British GP was won by Luigi Villoresi driving a Maserati, so it was fitting that Moss lead out the parade having himself won two Grand Prix titles back in 1956 in the Maserati 250F.

Sir Stirling remained on track in his 250F and was joined by Alfieri Maserati, the son of Ernesto, one of the founding brothers, as well as over 200 Maserati road and competition models for the special centenary parade lap in front of the Silverstone crowd. The 100 years of the brand were represented with examples from each period of the marque’s history right up until the present with the current range of Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio as well as rarely-seen 1950s Maserati motorcycles.

Sir Stirling Moss said: "The Silverstone Classic is an absolutely terrific event – what's so wonderful is that people can actually see all these glorious cars and talk to the mechanics and drivers. The 250F is such a fabulous car – absolutely beautiful. What a wonderful occasion – to be driving a car like this is just magical and reminds me just how fabulous the Maserati was. I guess it shows just how good it was if you can win a race like Monaco in one.”

Alfieri Maserati said: "Where better than Silverstone to celebrate the Centenary of the 'Officine Alfieri Maserati'. Maseratis were built for racing and after 100 years is undergoing a great renaissance. It has been a joy to participate in the parade of over 200 Maseratis from years gone by."

In recognition of the centenary and through the coordination of the Maserati Club, Silverstone Classic was able to assemble one of the largest gatherings of Maserati models the UK has ever witnessed – everything from the evocative Tipo 61 Birdcage, magical 3500GT as well as the one-off MC12 ‘Goodwood Cent 100’.

HONOURING THE PAMPAS BULL

Next month’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) will pay special tribute to José Froilan Gonzáles, the legendary Argentine racing driver who passed away last weekend at the age of 90.

Nicknamed ‘the Pampas Bull’ thanks to his burly frame and swashbuckling style, Gonzáles will forever be linked to Silverstone. He not only scored both his two Grand Prix wins (from a total of 26 starts) at the famous Northamptonshire circuit but the first of these in 1951 was also of huge historical significance being Ferrari’s first-ever victory in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Everyone was shouting and I was carried to the winner's podium," recalled Gonzáles in his book My Greatest Race. “After a few minutes they led me forward to the Queen of England who congratulated me. I had never experienced anything like this before. When I saw my country’s flag being hoisted, it was just too much for me and I cried. That moment will live with me for ever.”

Honouring that milestone achievement the two races organised by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association specifically for F1 cars from that era will be named the Froilan Gonzáles Trophy for HGPCA Pre ’61 Grand Prix Cars.

“Gonzáles will always be a giant figure in motor sport history and it’s a huge privilege for us to be honouring him at this year’s Silverstone Classic,” said event director Nick Wigley. “His two Grand Prix victories came at Silverstone and his 1951 win for Ferrari is a watershed moment in the annals of Formula One racing. What’s more he was also a regular visitor to the Silverstone Classic back in the Nineties always happy to be back at the scene of his greatest victory.”

Notably Gonzáles returned in 1997 to take part in a dramatic Ferrari demonstration. Aged 74 he drove a 1952 Ferrari 375 Indianapolis alongside Phil Hill, John Surtees and Jody Scheckter in three of the Scuderia’s more modern F1 machines. Two year’s later he also took part in BRM’s 50th anniversary celebrations at Silverstone.

Like so many of the drivers in his era, Gonzáles also competed in sportscars winning the Le Mans 24 Hours for Ferrari in 1954. Several of the magical machines he raced in the Fifties, and that raced against him, will be among more than 1000 of the finest and most authentic competition cars all recreating history at what’s now firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

Source: Silverstone Classic

RECORD RESPONSE FOR PORSCHE PARADE

The special anniversary parade to mark 50 years of the Porsche 911 at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) is oversubscribed and thus a complete sell out.

Since being unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, the iconic 911 has evolved to become the world’s most successful sportscar with global sales to date totalling more than 820,000.

Now to celebrate its 50th birthday, a massive on-track parade of – appropriately – 911 past and present 911s is being staged as one of the many highlights at the annual Silverstone Classic. Indeed the cavalcade has proved so popular that it has already attracted more than 1000 registrations meaning the organisers now have closed entries.

“Originally we feared achieving 911 Porsche 911s might have been a somewhat over ambitious and idealistic target – but with Porsche Club Great Britain’s invaluable input, we’ve sailed passed that goal with eight weeks to spare,” reported a delighted Nick Wigley, Event Director. “It’s terrific that so many 911 enthusiasts and Porsche Club Members will be able to join us for what’s going to be a fantastic birthday party; to be marking such an important automotive milestone in such record breaking style is what we always set out to accomplish. It’s going to be a mind-boggling experience no Porsche fan will want to miss.”

While over the ages there have been no fewer than seven different generations, the distinctive 911 with its classic yet unique lines has always remained loyal to its original sporty – yet practical – design ethos. It was described by its instigator Ferry Porsche as ‘the only car you could drive on an African safari or at Le Mans, to the theatre or through New York City traffic’ and it’s that combination of high performance and everyday versatility that has won so many admirers over the past 50 years.

As well as raising much needed funds for the Hope for Tomorrow cancer charity, the spectacular Silverstone Classic parade – taking place at lunchtime on Sunday 28 July – will feature many of the most famous competition and showroom models from past and present eras including legendary Carrera, RS, RSR, GT, Speedster, Targa and Turbo variants… plus some famous faces, too.

“There are a number of very special 911s and Porsche personalities appearing,” confirmed Nick Hine, Chairman of Porsche Club GB. “We will be making further announcements in the coming weeks but are delighted to reveal that two Porsche racing legends – Derek Bell MBE and David Piper – will be among those helping us to celebrate this important occasion on the full Grand Prix track at Silverstone. Having two celebrated drivers from Porsche’s illustrious racing history, taking part in the 911 x 911 world record attempt, is a fitting tribute to mark Porsche Club Great Britain’s celebration of the 911’s 50th birthday.”

Adding to the special golden anniversary celebrations, Porsche Cars GB has prepared its own historic 911 race car to compete at the Classic. The 1965 ‘short-wheelbase’ is entered under the evocative ‘Project 50’ team banner and will raced by Richard Attwood and Gordon Robertson in Saturday evening’s blue riband Piper Heidsieck International Trophy Race for Pre-1966 GT Cars, in association with Chopard. Attwood was Porsche’s first winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours back in 1970 while Robertson is Chief Driving Consultant at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

While 911 owners and fans can no longer register for the amazing 911 x 911 parade, they can still join the massive birthday party – but they must buy tickets in advance. In keeping with the popular event’s widely acclaimed ‘access all areas’ policy, all tickets include free entrance to both racing paddocks and pit complexes, trackside grandstands, live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings plus the dedicated Porsche 911 and classic car club display areas. Adult admittance is from just £35 (plus fees) and considerable savings are on offer for those festival goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone and special packages for car clubs and their members are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

Available from Veloce! Porsche Racing Cars - 1953 to 1975
By Brian Long

Follows Porsche's year-by-year progress in top flight racing, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars which brought the German marque such immense success and worldwide acclaim on the tracks. This particular volume starts with the story of the giant-killing 550 Spyders of 1953 vintage, and takes the reader, car-by-car, through all of the subsequent racing models. More info.

Available from Veloce!
Endurance Racing at Silverstone in the 1970s & 1980s By Chas Parker.

This book charts the progress of what became classic events, the Silverstone 6-hour and 1000km races, year-by-year from 1976, through the era of the Group C cars, up to the end of the eighties, with previously unpublished accounts and photographs of each event. More info.

THE BIGGEST TOURING CAR REVIVAL YET

The 2013 Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) will celebrate Britain’s evergreen passion for bumper-to-bumper touring car racing with a record number of saloon cars grids from the sport’s golden eras. For the first time in the evocative event’s history, this summer’s staging of the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival will include three packed touring car grids alongside as part of an amazing line-up of 24 races for unrivalled numbers of historic F1, GT and sports cars.

With a capacity 58 car field, the Under 2-Litre Touring Car (U2TC) showdown for saloons from the early Sixties is an established crowd-pleaser at the Classic, and the Super Touring Trophy introduced in 2012 proved to be an instant success for fans of more modern tin-top racing in the Eighties and Nineties. Both return in 2013 but now are joined by a new Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy grid featuring many of the mighty V8 muscle cars that dominated saloon car racing in the second half of the Sixties.

Indeed it’s almost exactly 50 years ago that Silverstone witnessed the arrival of the first ‘Yank Tank’. It was on 11 May 1963 that saloon car legend Jack Sears debuted the 6.9-litre NASCAR sourced Ford Galaxie at Silverstone, promptly trounced the reigning Jaguars and totally transformed the sport for the following epoch.

It was unquestionably a defining moment and two Trans-Atlantic Touring Car Trophy races staged over the action-packed weekend will mark the golden anniversary of Sears’ first win. Harking back to that halcyon era both will witness large numbers of the crowd-pleasing American machines taking on their more nimble European rivals from the same unforgettable period.

The two-driver U2TC race also honours another important milestone in saloon car racing history – 50 years of the esteemed Lotus Cortina. Last year’s capacity 58-car grid included more than 25 of these racing deities and another huge turn out is guaranteed in July in a packed field that will also flaunt packs of battling Alfa Romeos, BMWs and Minis.

Turning the clocks forward, the Super Touring Trophy puts the spotlight on two equally memorable eras. The Group A era is well represented by flame-spitting Cosworth Sierras and their long-standing BMW M3 adversaries, while a growing number of super tourers epitomise what’s widely hailed as the zenith of the MSA British Touring Car Championship during the Nineties. Adding to the history, several of the famous drivers from that period are rolling back the years, too. Two-time BTCC champion John Cleland and ebullient Patrick Watts have both found one of their old racers and are planning to rejoin the fray.

Source: Silverstone Classic

Available from Veloce!
British Touring Car Racing – The crowd’s favourite – late 1960s to 1990
By Peter Collins

Evocative pictures of British Touring Car racing – the crowd's favourite – from the flares of the late 1960s to the turbos of 1990.
More info.

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 26 | 27 | 28 JULY 2013

This summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) is all set to be another record breaker following confirmation of an action-packed programme of 24 races spanning eight decades of glorious motor sport history.

Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the mouth-watering line-up for 2013’s extravaganza features all the hugely popular historic Formula One, sportscar, GT and touring car grids that produced such close racing last year… plus a further three grids to be announced in the coming weeks.

As the home of the British Grand Prix and birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Silverstone is the perfect venue to celebrate the full spectrum of F1 history. And, with more than 100 of the most famous and iconic GP cars recreating many of the sport’s golden eras, there’s no better homage than the Silverstone Classic.

The Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPCA) will be out in force with packed grids for both spectacular pre-1961 and pre-1966 F1 cars that revisit five decades of technical rivalries from the Bugattis of the 1920s, through the Maseratis and Ferraris of the 1950s to the dawn of the rear-engine epoch in the early 1960s when British-based constructors such as Brabham, Cooper and Lotus came to the fore.

Grand Prix Masters puts the spotlight on the following generation of DFV-powered F1 cars, reliving a fantastic decade of GP racing from 1968 to 1978 as well as the rise of many of the British teams including Brabham, Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell and Williams. Adding to the spectacle and rekindling many fond and magic memories, all these renowned racers compete in familiar period liveries.

The comprehensive single-seater bill features two more exciting grids. Races for Historic Formula Junior and the combined F5000/F2 class were among last summer’s many highlights and both make welcome returns this July. All five of these open-wheeler categories are in race action twice at the Classic with a thrilling showdown each during both Saturday’s and Sunday’s busy schedules.

Harking back to what many believe were the halcyon days of the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours event, no fewer than five sportscar and GT grids are also on the unrivalled Silverstone Classic bill.

The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy features post-war sports-racers up to the end of 1955, with victory last year going to the hard-charging Jaguar D-type of brothers John and Gary Pearson. The Stirling Moss Trophy stars slightly more modern pre-1961 sportscars with Lister Jaguars, Cooper Monacos and Maserati T61 Birdcages often to the fore while the World Sportscar Masters covers an equally exhilarating era from the mid-1960s up to 1974, boasting track idols such as the Porsche 917, Ferrari 512 and Lola T70.

Moving the clock forward to the 1980s are the super-fast Group C prototypes that once again will race into dusk on Saturday evening. Last year’s entry featured legendary machinery from Jaguar, Mercedes, Peugeot and Porsche as well as a trio of Ferrari-engined Lancia LC2s. An even more alluring line-up is promised for 2013.

Meanwhile Aston Martin will aim for a famous hat-trick of wins in the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars. Run for Pre-63 GT cars, victory in 2011 went to an Aston Martin DB4GT shared by racing legends Stuart Graham and Richard Attwood while last year’s encounter was won by Wolfgang Friedrichs and David Clark in the remarkable Aston Martin Project DP212.

The Silverstone Classic also honours the very best of saloon car racing history with two stunning grids already confirmed. The first is for Under 2-Litre Touring Cars with a full 58-car field of battling Lotus Cortinas, BMW 1800 Tis, Alfa Romeo GTAs and Mini Coopers from the pre-1966 era. The second is another Silverstone Classic success story… Last year’s event staged a new tin-top showdown for Group A and Super Touring cars from the 1980s and 1990s. It was such an immediate hit with competitors and fans alike that the category not only returns 12 months on but also has spawned an exciting new series, to be run by the famed Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC).

“It all adds up to another incredible line-up of races that put the spotlight on so much fantastic racing history… and we have another three grids still to announce,” enthused Nick Wigley, event director. “With more than 1000 entries, the Silverstone Classic is now not only the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival but also the largest race meeting staged anywhere on the globe. It may sound clichéd but, hand on heart and given some of the announcements yet to come, this summer’s looks like being the most successful yet.”

To house so much exotic and priceless motor sport history, the massive event will again fill both Silverstone’s National and new Wing pits and paddock complexes. The non-stop racing schedule, organised by the HSCC, is staged on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit with many races boasting fully-subscribed 58-car grids.

Adding to the Classic weekend’s enormous appeal, all tickets give free access to both racing paddocks as well as trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Those booking before the end of March can take full advantage of special ‘Early Bird’ prices with adult tickets starting from just £30 (plus fees). Considerable savings are on offer for festival goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone and special packages for car clubs and their members are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

FEAST OF TRACK PARADES HEADED BY FERRARI F40S AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

As well as a crowded programme of 24 action-packed races showcasing the full spectrum of motor sport history, this weekend’s Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (20-22 July) also hosts some very special parades, all staged on the renowned Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

With so many enthusiastic motor clubs choosing the Silverstone Classic to honour important milestones in their respective marques’ histories, these parades have become an important part of the world’s biggest motor racing festival and are hugely popular with both owners and spectators.

Last year no fewer than 767 E-type Jaguars took to the famous F1 track to celebrate the iconic British sportscar’s 50th birthday and thus establish a new Guinness World Record. This year a host of other legendary brands will be lining up on the hallowed Silverstone asphalt.

Heading the pack will be a world record gathering of Ferrari F40s. No fewer than 70 examples of the superlative supercar that many believe to be Ferrari’s finest creation will be lapping Silverstone to mark the Italian pin-up model’s 25th anniversary.

In total more than 450 rare and exotic machines will be joining the F40s in Sunday’s dedicated Car Club Parade with many other crowd favourites also celebrating important anniversaries. Notable among these will be a host of glorious Lamborghinis – including Miuras, Espadas and Countachs – to honour 25 years of the Lamborghini Club UK plus 50th birthday processions for much-loved MGB, Lotus Elan and Triumph Spitfire sportscars from the Sixties.

Adding further colour to Sunday’s spectacular show, around 175 classic cars that will have travelled to Silverstone from a variety of start points across the country as part of the AA Grand Tour will lap the track as the grand finale to their various journeys.

Before that Saturday’s busy on-track schedule includes a lunchtime parade featuring hundreds of BMW Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 models as part of the UK’s first Z-fest. Then, in the early evening, it will be the turn of more than 130 AC Cobras – another illustrious sportscar turning 50 this year – to take to the Tarmac along with members of the Silverstone Classic Racing Club.

“These stunning parades have become an integral part of the Silverstone Classic and it’s going to be great to see so many fine classics from different eras strutting their stuff on the full Grand Prix circuit,” said Silverstone Classic event director Nick Wigley. “Last year’s amazing collection of E-types raised the bar somewhat but for many the prospect of seeing 70 stunning Ferrari F40s is going to be every bit as spectacular – and that’s just one of the many highlights.”

More info: www.SilverstoneClassic.com

A RECORD 58 FIA MGBS FOR MGB50 RACE

A record breaking fifty-eight FIA MGBs will compete in the official MGB50 celebration race at MGLive! on Saturday 23rd June.

The MG Car Club's 62nd successive Silverstone meeting has attracted a mouth-watering grid of the world's best MGBs; competitors will contest for honours on the full GP circuit.

Supported by British Motor Heritage, the prestigious 50-minute race is for FIA-spec MGBs running on Dunlop Historic Tyres and includes a mandatory pit stop.

MGLive! is the world's largest MG event and attracts 20,000 enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. The MG Car Club's award-winning weekend begins a trilogy of high-profile MGB50 events in 2012; celebrations are set to continue at the Silverstone Classic (July) and at Blenheim Palace (September).

Off track, the MGLive! MGB50 street party will assume centre stage: thousands of examples of Abingdon's most famous export are anticipated to descend on Silverstone.

Notable cars competing in the MGLive! MGB50 celebration race include ex-works cars 6DBL, BRX854B, DRX256C, DRX255C, 2GLL and LBL591E, along with other historic period MGBs, including HGT576C, 665FXF, the WSM MGB and a Jacques Coune MGB Berlinette.

In another exciting development, former MG works driver Paddy Hopkirk will be on hand to present awards to the overall and category winners of the MGB50 Celebration Race. Later that evening, the popular Irishman will be Guest of Honour at the MG Car Club's annual Silverstone dinner in the Jimmy Brown Suite, where a host of former MG works drivers will also be in attendance.

Aside from the MGB50 celebration race, the MGCC's usual comprehensive programme of track action will be taking place.

Dave Saunders, Motorsport Director of the MG Car Club said: "The worldwide response to the official MGB50 race has been overwhelming. The MG Car Club's annual Silverstone event has tremendous pedigree and competitors were applying to enter the celebration race as early as December last year.

"Watching a rolling start with 58 FIA MGBs roaring into Copse really will be spectacular and the whole race will act as a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest sports cars. The MG Car Club is proud to be staging the official MGB50 celebration race and our organisation continues to be at the forefront of the worldwide MG movement."

John Yea from British Motor Heritage said: "British Motor Heritage is proud to be supporting this fantastic race. I am delighted that our products have enabled so many of these great sports cars to continue to be enjoyed 50 years after they were launched."

Forthcoming in 2012! Memories from MG’s Abingdon Design Office - including the birth of the MGB by Don Haytor.
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday.

Click here for more info about the book!

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE MGB AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2012

This summer’s 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA will be one of just three official showpiece events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the MGB, widely hailed as one of Britain’s most cherished sportscars.

The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival has teamed up with the MG Car Club and the MGB50 committee to establish a special trilogy of birthday parties to mark what’s a very special golden anniversary for the enduring and endearing MGB.

The celebrations for the world famous ‘B’ open with MGLive! in June and conclude with a static showcase gathering at Blenheim Palace in September. In between comes this year’s all-action, three-day Silverstone Classic, staged at the home of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix from 20-22 July. All MGB owners attending these three special trilogy events will be presented with a unique commemorative rally plaque exclusive to the individual festivity.

As well as featuring the very best of historic racing plus live music from classic rock bands, the Silverstone Classic is renowned for its huge car club displays often highlighting significant milestones in the history of iconic marques. Last year’s Classic marked the 50th anniversary of another truly great British sportscar when more than 1000 E-type Jaguars helped to establish a new Guinness World Record. Now the focus will switch to the much-loved MGB, first launched to the public at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1962.

“We are very proud to welcome the MGB50 celebration to the Silverstone Classic,” said event director Nick Wigley. “The ‘B’ is at the heart of the classic car movement in the UK and, as part of this trilogy of special events, we look forward to giving owners a great rocking and racing experience. This is a fantastic era for celebrating golden milestones in the British sportscar industry – last year the Silverstone Classic honoured the 50th birthday of the E-type with a Guinness World Record; this year we will be paying homage to 50 years of the remarkable MGB.”

In total more than half a million MGBs were built between 1962 and 1980 in Abingdon – home of the illustrious MG factory situated just down the road from Silverstone to the south of Oxford. From the original Mark I roadster, through to the elegant MGB GT and the fearsome GT V8, the evergreen MGB has endeared itself as one of the most affordable and adored models whether as a first sportscar, desirable convertible, potent coupé or restoration project. The ‘B’ also enjoyed some notable racing and rallying successes during the Sixties with victories, either outright or in class, in a number of major endurance sportscar events (Brands Hatch, Nurburgring, Sebring, Targa Florio, Spa-Francorchamps) as well as the Monte Carlo Rally.

With its rich mix of on-track competition and off-track entertainment, the Silverstone Classic will provide the perfect backdrop for the MGB50 with more than 800 historic race cars in race action and 7,000 classic cars on display across the weekend. Adding to the non-stop party atmosphere there will be flat out family fun for everyone with live music from Mike & The Mechanics and Adam Ant in the evenings plus a free fun fair, retail village, air displays, demos and the new AA World feature with its own wealth of attractions. So, whether coming for the day or taking advantage of the many camping options to enjoy the full three-day festival, MGB owners will have a truly memorable 50th birthday celebration.

“It’s shaping up to be a tremendous year for the B,” confirmed MG Car Club General Manager Julian White. “Each of the three events offers MGB owners something different and I know many enthusiasts will be keen to attend all three celebrations. The MG Car Club is based in Abingdon, the spiritual home of the marque, so we know first-hand how much the MGB means to people. So it’s only natural we have big plans for the MGB50 anniversary.”

MGB50 Chairman John Watson added: “The two main MG Clubs are working together to enjoy 12 months of MGB celebrations to mark the 50 years of ‘The Great British Sports Car’.”

Full details of the 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA – including information on ‘Early Bird’ ticket offers and a comprehensive selection of on-site camping facilities – are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

Source: Silverstone

Forthcoming in 2012! Memories from MG’s Abingdon Design Office - including the birth of the MGB by Don Haytor.
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday.

Click here for more info about the book!

DESIRÉ WILSON AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2011

See Desiré Wilson in action at the Silverstone Classic E-type Challenge (22-24 July 2011). New biography published September 2011!

Click here for more information about the book. Thanks to Kev A. for the poster design!

BRITAIN’S BEST SPORTSCAR – THE SHORTLIST

Jaguar XK120

MGB
In an attempt to settle an age-old argument, classic car fans are being given the chance to vote on the best British sportscar of all time. A panel of experts has prepared a shortlist of 15 iconic cars covering all the great British marques and enthusiasts can vote on-line for their own favourite via the official website of the Silverstone Classic.

As well as being firmly established as the world’s biggest classic racing festival, the annual Silverstone Classic also features one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of classic cars. This summer’s three-day event will see more than 120 UK car clubs displaying in excess of 7000 cars including large numbers of those shortlisted on-line for the coveted ‘Best British Sportscar’ title.

Centre stage this year goes to the E-type Jaguar, with the Silverstone Classic chosen by all the major Jaguar clubs as the location for the legendary model’s official 50th birthday party. The target for the event is to have 1000 E-types on display and then send them on to the Grand Prix circuit during Saturday to set a Guinness World Record for the greatest number of E-types in a parade. Cars from all over the world are already confirmed, including North America and all over Europe.

But the E-type isn’t the only car – or Jaguar – shortlisted on the website for the ‘Best British Sportscar’ crown; it is joined by its XK120 predecessor on the shortlist. Triumph, though, has the most finalists with TR3, TR6 and Spitfire models all making the last 15. Austin Healy (‘Frogeye’ Sprite and 3000), Lotus (Seven and Elan) and MG (MGA and MGB) join Jaguar with two models on the final roster, which is completed with the AC Cobra, Aston Martin DB5, Morgan and TVR Griffith.

To vote for their own favourite, enthusiasts simply log onto www.SilverstoneClassic.com/vote&win and click on the appropriate box under their particular choice – all entrants being restricted to one vote. The poll closes on 30 June and the result will be announced on 7 July with the overall winner being officially crowned during this year’s Silverstone Classic. 10 winning votes drawn at random will each receive a pair of weekend tickets to the event.

BRITAIN’S BEST SPORTSCAR – FINAL 15 SHORTLIST

AC Cobra

Aston Martin DB5

Austin Healey ‘Frogeye’ Sprite

Austin Healey 3000

Jaguar XK120/150

Jaguar E-type

Lotus 7

Lotus Elan Sprint

MGA

MGB

Morgan Plus *

Triumph TR3A

Triumph TR6

Triumph Spitfire

TVR Griffith

Source: Silverstone Classic

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC SPECTACULAR LAUNCH

Classic motor racing festival

E-type Jaguars
The world’s largest classic motor racing festival has been launched in spectacular style. In front of 250 journalists, photographers and film crews, the 2011 Silverstone Classic burst into life yesterday (4 May) as some of the 800 cars expected at the event took to the famous track in glorious spring sunshine.

Event Director Nick Wigley revealed that this year’s event – marking the 21st anniversary of the first classic racing festival at Silverstone – will be the biggest and best yet.

“The numbers are astonishing. We will have more than 1,000 competitors racing more than 800 cars spanning the full spectrum of motor racing history right up the nineties. We are promised a number of exciting cars that are seldom seen racing in the UK including a newly restored black and gold JPS Lotus 72 grand prix car while an awesome Lancia Martini LC2 Group C sports car is due to star in an atmospheric dusk race on the Saturday.

The Silverstone Classic (22-24 July, 2011) is firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this summer. The spectacular three-day event is staged at the famous Silverstone circuit, birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship and home of the 2011 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix. More info.

Endurance Racing at Silverstone in the 1970s & 1980s
By Chas Parker

This book charts the progress of what became classic events, the Silverstone 6-hour and 1000km races, year-by-year from 1976, through the era of the Group C cars, up to the end of the eighties, with previously unpublished accounts and photographs of each event. More info.

JAGUAR E-TYPE TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY AT SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

This year’s Silverstone Classic (22-24 July) will be the world’s premier venue for the Jaguar E-Type’s 50th birthday celebrations. Launched in 1961, the legendary E-Type remains one of the most iconic, elegant and revered sports cars of all time and its golden anniversary will be honoured with a host of special races and displays at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

Jaguar owners clubs in the UK have chosen the 2011 Silverstone Classic as the number one event worldwide to mark the E-Type’s half century. They are forecasting the greatest showing of Jaguar E-Types ever assembled with eager owners bringing their cherished cars from right around the world.

Adding to the festivities, the weekend’s busy on-track schedule includes two races dedicated solely to competition versions of the Jaguar E-Type. With nearly 90 cars already registered with the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) organisers, a record grid of more than 50 race-prepared E-Types is predicted.

“The response has been remarkable with huge interest from the UK as well as abroad,” reports Grahame White, Chief Executive of the HSCC. “As the Silverstone Classic is held on the full Grand Prix circuit we will be able to start what’s almost certain to be the biggest grid of E-Types of all time – it promises to be a magnificent site and a fabulous celebration.”

In total, more than a thousand racing and road-going E-Types are expected to join the golden anniversary celebrations at Silverstone and owners are being provided with dedicated infield parking areas and special ticket discounts, plus many other benefits. Notably the Jaguar E-Type Club has set up a unique ‘E50 Birthday Celebration’ weekend package to include a run through some of England’s most beautiful countryside, accommodation and a dinner dance in Shakespeare Country at Stratford-upon-Avon plus three day’s attendance at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.

“With so many E-Types on and off the track, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion – the world’s biggest and best celebration for one of the truly great sports cars,” says Nick Wigley, Event Director. “What’s more, the Silverstone Classic offers the perfect place and timing for the world to celebrate such an important milestone in automotive history. After all Jaguar designed and produced the E-Types just up the road at Browns Lane in Coventry and the very first UK sales commenced in July 1961. It’s going to be an absolutely amazing occasion – a party no classic car fan will want to miss.”

Highlighting the legendary Jaguar’s central role at this year’s Silverstone Classic, one of the very first Jaguar E-Types produced was featured on the event’s award winning exhibition stand earlier this month at the Autosport Show International.

The historic car on display was the 11th Jaguar E-Type car made, chassis number 850011 and will be one of the many contesting the two HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge races at the Silverstone Classic in July. These early pre-production cars were sold to selected customers who would race them, gaining valuable promotion. This car went to George Wicken, a successful Formula 2 driver who raced it throughout 1961 against the likes of Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori and Bruce McLaren and was one of only two E-Types entered for the 1961 TT at Goodwood. It now competes successfully in historic racing driven by owner Gary Pearson.

Highlighting the amazing mix of famous competition cars that will be racing alongside the E-Types at the 2011 Silverstone Classic, the display stand at the recent Autosport Show also featured a Maserati 250F from the Fifties, regarded by many as the finest Grand Prix car of all generations, as well as one of the famous V12 Silk Cut Jaguar XJR9s that took the famous British marque back to victory at Le Mans in 1988. Later in the year, both will be lining up on respective HGPCA pre-61 Grand Prix Cars and Group C grids at the 2011 Silverstone Classic.
Source: Silverstone Classic

BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB AT SILVERSTONE

3 litre Bentleys in the parade as the rain begins (around 100 Bentleys took part). Image: Peter de Rousset-Hall
The Bentley Drivers Club 61st Annual Race Meeting at Silverstone on August 7th saw fantastic racing from a wonderfully diverse range of Bentleys and other marques. And, in the true spirit of the original Bentley Boys of the 1920s, the event saw a number of owners of modern Bentleys turning out with their contemporary machines tuned and presented for racing against their vintage counterparts.

“The mix of cars of all shapes, sizes and ages really took everyone back to the early days of motor racing,” said Sebastian Welch, Competitions Captain of the BDC, “and it was particularly heartening to see everything from a very early, brakeless, front-axled 3 litre Bentley up to the mighty 2005 GT, which was colourfully vinyl wrapped, just as owners have tuned and developed Bentleys for some 80 years. It’s a tradition that we in the Club are delighted to see continue.”

Key to this event is the informality of a true club meeting; grass-roots motorsport at its very best. “Although many of the cars are true museum pieces, they’re not kept in museums – we race them as they were always intended to be,” commented Clive Morley, who campaigned two vintage Bentleys at Silverstone, “and there’s a great atmosphere in the paddock. People can get really close to the cars – even sit in some of them.”

It’s also a superb family event. Spectators of all ages had plenty to entertain them, including the magnificent sight of 100 Bentleys old and new parading around a rather wet Silverstone, and exhibition laps by the Le Mans development car, EXP Speed 8. It was also a family event for the racers themselves, with husbands and wives competing against each other and, in the case of Clive Morley and his family, three generations out on the track.

The Bentley Drivers Club also continued the tradition of the race meetings of decades ago by inviting other marques to attend, which added to the excitement and spectacle. Two Morgan races were hugely entertaining, while other races featured Bugatti, D-type Jaguar, Lagonda, Allard, Frazer Nash, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey and MG, to name but a few.

Not surprisingly, this hugely popular meeting attracts overseas enthusiasts, not just to watch but also to compete. One competitor drove his 41/2 litre Bentley from Brussels, then campaigned it out on the track – again, very much in the spirit of those early racers.

“We were delighted with the event,” concluded Sebastian Welch. “We had full grids for a number of races, a strong turn-out of spectators, close-fought, exhilarating racing and that inimitable, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes our annual Silverstone meeting so special.”

Source: Bentley Drivers Club

FOUR DECADES OF TOURING CARS AT THE SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

The Silverstone Classic’s David Leslie Trophy now celebrates touring cars from the ‘70s and ‘80s as well as the ‘90s.

Cars including RS Capris and BMW’s red, violet and blue striped ‘Batmobiles’, originally driven by legends such as Niki Lauda and Henri Pescarolo on tracks across Europe in the 1970s and 1980s, will join touring cars of the ‘90s. Spectators will see them racing side by side with Vauxhall Vectras, Ford Mondeos, Honda Accords and the famous Leslie-Aiello duo’s Nissan Primeras at Silverstone next month.

The under two-litre touring car race (U2TC) features cars from the 1960s. Director of Racing at Silverstone Ken Prichard Jones says: “We are delighted to add such variety to the touring car grid; due to demand, we now welcome contenders from four decades of touring cars, all running in their respective classes: forty years of touring car racing and technological development are faithfully represented in two thrilling races.”

The Silverstone Classic takes place from 24 to 26 July 2009, featuring the world’s iconic racing cars and marques. Grids celebrating over ninety years of racing include pre-war sports cars, Grand Prix race cars, Group C Le Mans racers, pre-’63 GT and sports cars, alongside other crowd favourites such as Mini racing, touring cars and Formula Junior. Both young and seasoned racers, as well as celebrities and racing heroes will take to the track for three days of atmospheric and thrilling on-track action. Silverstone Classic will host over 20 races, more than 80 car clubs, 4000 cars on display, 700 cars and 900 drivers, automobilia sales and Bonhams’ classic car auction, with further entertainment provided by Harley-Davidson® stunt bikes and drag racing. Alongside the racing, free live entertainment throughout the day and into the evening will add an additional soundtrack to that of historic engines. History also features in the aerobatic display and Victorian fun fair, making the Silverstone Classic both an extraordinary event for classic car and racing enthusiasts, and a unique outing for the family.

Racing at Silverstone Ltd is the licence holder until 2017 of the Silverstone Classic.

Source: www.silverstoneclassic.com

Coming soon! British Touring Car Racing – The crowd’s favourite – late 1960s to 1990 By Peter Collins.



An affectionate, mainly pictorial panorama of twenty-odd years of the British Touring Car Championship, from the anarchical 1960s and early 1970s of flared wheelarches, lifting wheels and smoking tyres, through the Group 1 years when the rule-makers tried to make the cars look standard and, as a result, slowed them down. This had the predictable effect of galvanising race car builders into trying to get round the restrictions, eventually resulting in cars that were faster, and evolved into the tarmac-melting fire-breathing, turbo-powered frontrunners of the late 1980s. The story takes us up to the point where the rule-makers attempted another clampdown as the final decade of the 20th century dawned ...
Click here for more info about the book.

LOOKING SLICK – LEWIS HAMILTON’S LATEST PORTRAIT

Unique portrait of the 2008 FIA Formula One™ World Drivers Champion commissioned for National Oil Check Week



Reigning 2008 FIA Formula One™ World Drivers’ Champion, Lewis Hamilton, became one of the most pictured British sportsmen in the world when he became the youngest driver to win the title.

But none of the portraits of the 24-year old links him so completely to his sport as this stunning portrait in oil, commissioned to kick off National Oil Check Week….Because the twist is that the oil used is Mobil 1 race oil taken directly from the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes car in which Lewis won last year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Mobil 1, technology partner to Hamilton’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, charged US artist David Macaluso with the creation of the picture of Lewis in typically triumphant pose to celebrate his title success and highlight Mobil’s role in the UK-wide car maintenance initiative (www.CheckYourOil.co.uk), which kicks off next Monday, June 15.

A limited run of 50 prints of the painting has also been made and one of these special pieces of memorabilia can be won in a competition at www.mobil-1.co.uk in the run-up to the British GP.

The painting will have its first public outing at the ExxonMobil VIP customer event, on the eve of Hamilton’s home Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Source:Mobil 1

GRAHAM ROBSON @ MINI UNITED 2009 SILVERSTONE

Coming soon! Mini Cooper/Mini Cooper S (Rally Giants Series) by Graham Robson.

This is a comprehensive study of the career of one type of rally car – the BMC Mini-Cooper/Mini-Cooper S. In the 1960s the Mini became famous as Britain’s most successful rally car. It combined superb handling, a tiny body shell, high-performance engines and the excellence of front-wheel-drive in an irresistible package. Not only this, but the works team included famous drivers like Paddy Hopkirk, Timo Makinen and Rauno Aaltonen.

The works Minis not only won the Monte Carlo three times – 1964, 1965 and 1967 – along with the European Rally Championship in 1965, but also won events all over the world. Because Minis were British, and well-promoted, they became seen as giant-killers, and were the people’s favourite for many years. The car outpaced many of its rivals, and this book examines exactly who they were, and how they came to be defeated by the ‘mighty Mini.’



Even today, works Minis appear at every gathering of classic cars – and in 2009, Mini celebrates its 50th birthday. Packed with over 100 photographs, this book is a fitting and timely tribute to a much-loved Rally Giant.

Click here for more info about the book.

JEROEN BOOIJ AUTHOR OF MAXIMUM MINI AT MINI UNITED 2009 SILVERSTONE

Maximum Mini – The essential book of cars based on the original Mini

By Jeroen Booij.

This book focuses solely on the cars derived from the classic Mini. Small GTs, sports cars, roadsters and fun cars: Mini derivatives that changed the specialist motoring market completely in the early sixties, and new designs kept it busy for nearly four decades. From the well known Mini Marcos and Unipower GT that raced at Le Mans, to the very obscure but as exciting Coldwell GT or Sarcon Scarab, almost 60 cars are thoroughly researched, described and photographed in this book.

Click here for more info.

VELOCE AT MINI UNITED 2009

Pleased to announce that Veloce have been offered a trade stand at Mini United 2009 and we will be attending the whole weekend. The event takes place at Silverstone from 22-24th May and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the classic Mini. A star attraction performing at Mini United will be the iconic music legend Paul Weller!
Visit www.miniunited.com for more details about the event.



We will be selling all of our Mini related books at the event. Whether you are into classic Mini's or weird and wonderful Mini derivatives, Veloce will surely have something for you. Here's a small selection! More details to follow ...



Click covers for more info.

PORSCHE DRIVING EXPERIENCE CENTRE SILVERSTONE

Last week Porsche officially opened its Driving Experience Centre adjacent to the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in Northamptonshire. The world-class centre allows every customer of a new Porsche in the UK and Ireland to receive expert tuition in their driving skills as well as the performance capabilities of their car as part of their purchase experience.

The Porsche Driving Experience Centre aims to build on these principles of driving safety and driving enjoyment by providing a formal, yet fun, environment for both Porsche owners and enthusiasts to have the opportunity to understand the engine performance and chassis dynamics attributes which differentiate a Porsche from its rivals.

The centre offers a variety of track configurations and surface conditions on which the potential of all Porsche road cars can be studied, together with, uniquely, the human performance level of drivers themselves. The Porsche Driving Experience Centre houses reception and display areas, a restaurant, cinema and the innovative Human Performance department. This leading edge sports laboratory is run by proven specialists and is accessible to both Porsche customers and racing drivers. Ordinarily, this type of facility would only be accessible to elite athletes. One-to-one instruction spans fitness assessments and guidance in techniques aimed at improving stamina, co-ordination and reaction times for drivers of all levels.

The building features distinctive Porsche architectural cues on the outside but, like the Porsche road cars themselves, employs the latest technology to significantly lower its energy demands, and hence its environmental impact. Visitors can see the entire Porsche facility from a roof top platform offering panoramic views.



New Porsche books from Veloce!



Porsche Racing Cars – 1953 to 1975 by Brian Long.

Today, one cannot escape the fact that the words 'Porsche' and 'racing' go hand in hand. This book follows Porsche's year-by-year progress in top flight racing, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars that brought the German marque such immense success on the tracks and worldwide acclaim. This particular volume starts with story of the giant killing 550 Spyders of 1953 vintage, and takes the reader through a series of racing models, including the glorious 917, up to 1975 via contemporary photography and words from an acknowledged Porsche authority. A second volume covers the years 1976 onwards. The book includes detailed year by year coverage of Porsche's top class racing exploits in words and 300 excellent photos.



Porsche 964, 993 & 996 Data Plate Code Breaker by Adrian Streather.

This book provides a comprehensive list of all the build specification codes used by Porsche AG for the Porsche 911 series, from model years 1989 to 2005. VIN, model type, country, exterior paint colour, interior colour combinations, material codes, and standard, special and Porsche Exclusiv options for the 964, 993 and 996 series are provided in detail. Option codes for other Porsche models built between 1978 and 2005 are also included, if known to the author.

NISSAN GT-R OWNERS GET A TASTE OF WHAT'S ROUND THE CORNER

Instructors from Silverstone International have entered the final stages of a Pan-European driving programme to introduce the Nissan GT-R to more than 1,300 pre-sold customers.

The 19-date run at Germany's Nurburgring follows the successful debut of the experience at the home of the British Grand Prix in August, where more than 500 owners got to grips with the super saloon car for the first time.

Under the logistical arm of Silverstone International, the initial two stages of the ground-breaking ‘Best in Class' Nissan Academy allowed customers to experience the phenomenal performance of the GT-R as well as learn important advanced driving techniques.

Further sessions, including the opportunity to take a full race licence test, will be held during 2009. Nissan and Silverstone are working on an even bigger offering of driving experiences for Passionate Sports car driver's that will be rolled out in 2009.

European deliveries of the GT-R supercar will start in April 2009. Currently the waiting list is 18 months in the UK.

EXCLUSIVE NEWS! Nissan GT-R Supercar: Born to Race by Alex Gorodji is forthcoming from Veloce in 2009. so watch this space!