Crowdfunding campaign launched for Silverstone Classic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has seen widespread cancellations and postponements to large public events, the biggest annual historic racing festival will not run this year, with Silverstone instead hosting two behind closed doors Formula 1 British races, the first of which slotting into the 31st July-2nd August weekend.

Goose Live Events has been badly hit by the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the historic racing festival and the bid for support is to help the organisation survive and deliver the event's 30th anniversary edition next summer.

In a statement, the management at Goose said: "As a small independent events company, Goose Live Events has been hugely challenged financially by the need to cancel our flagship event, the Silverstone Classic, in 2020.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone everywhere but the events' industry has been particularly hard hit. Any support you feel able to provide during this time of great need would be hugely appreciated.

"Our decision to cancel the 2020 event has presented us with a large financial shortfall in income this year.

"With 10 months' work already done by the team in preparation for the Classic in 2020 and costs incurred for an event that isn't now happening, coupled with the fact that we have no income attributable to the 2020 event, COVID-19 has set us back by 10 years or so.

"We will survive it, but we'd really appreciate your help."

The Silverstone Classic is the world's largest historic racing festival when three days of on-track action is supported by thousands of classic cars and an extensive live music programme.

"We will be working as hard as possible to ensure 2021 is a phenomenal year for the Classic and with your support, we look forward to building something even brighter for us all to enjoy together," the statement added.

The charity partner for the Silverstone Classic is Alzheimer's Research UK and the charity is expecting a drop in support by up to 45% as a result of COVID-19, but Goose Live events has confirmed it "will donate 10% of any funds received here to their very important cause."