Silverstone re-opens to spectators for first time since November 2019
The Silverstone circuit will open to spectators for the first time since November 2019 when fans are admitted to this weekend’s Historic Sports Car Club International Trophy meeting on the Grand Prix circuit.
The Northamptonshire venue has been off-limits for spectators for more than 18 months due to COVID regulations but will now open its doors to a limited number of fans for the annual HSCC weekend of historic racing for cars of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Admission needs to be booked in advance through the Silverstone website.
However, visitors will not have access to the full Grand Prix circuit. At this early stage of the re-opening process, spectators will be contained within a relatively small area around the grandstands at Luffield and on the heritage pits straight. There will be no access into the paddock area.
The International Trophy is a prominent weekend of historic racing and competitors have responded magnificently to the event. Around 375 entries have been taken, and most of the grids feature at least 30 cars. Many grids are even bigger, including the Guards Trophy (45 cars), Thundersports (36 cars), Historic Formula Ford (39 cars) and 70s Road Sports (38 cars).
A capacity field for the hour-long GT and Sports Car Cup race on Sunday afternoon features a host of AC Cobras and Jaguar E-types within a 58-car field. The E-types will be contesting a special trophy to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this iconic model.
The Thundersports grid includes five Can-Am cars, including the fabulous McLaren M8s of Dean Forward and series newcomer Warren Briggs. Former British GT champion Calum Lockie, in the mighty March 717, will be among the favourites.
Historic Formula 2 has a re-arranged date to replace the races lost at Hockenheim earlier in May and will feature a 29-car entry.
Callum Grant was one of the stars of Donington in his Formula Atlantic March 79B, and he'll take on the two-litre F2 cars once more, which include Matthew Watts in his debut in the ex-Marc Surer March 782.
Silverstone has previously backed plans for fans to return at full capacity for the British Grand Prix with the help of vaccine passports.
The event, which usually hosts around 340,000 spectators over the weekend, is set to take place from 16-18 July.
Murray Walker's life to be celebrated at Silverstone Classic
Keen and Igoe star in British GT as spectators return to national events
How a little electric storm thundered to Goodwood's hillclimb record
Nick Heidfeld's official Goodwood Festival of Speed record in McLaren's MP4/13 Formula 1 car - and the unofficial hillclimb record set by the Volkswagen ID.R - were both brushed aside by the McMurtry Speirling driven by Max Chilton on Sunday. Here's a look at the fan car that blew away the competition
How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force
Colin Chapman’s marque was the most successful across Goodwood’s 71 contemporary era Members’ Meetings, from 1949 to 1966. Many of the future Formula 1 pacesetter's finest creations will be in action during this weekend's 2022 event, attempting to re-live an era when period Lotus was gaining unstoppable momentum
Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting
A year and a half after it was originally scheduled, this weekend’s 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting honours key figures from the circuit’s history, including the likes of Stirling Moss, Dan Gurney and Gerry Marshall
The restorer keeping a land-speed record-holder's memory alive
From a famous land-speed special to an Indianapolis 500 frontrunner, restorer and racer Geraint Owen has a fascination for making old machines work
The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years
The Imps of George Bevan became famous in British Saloon Car Championship competition during the early 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts, including Bevan's grandson Jonathan, one of the ex-Bill McGovern title winners has recently returned to the race track
Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event
After a year's enforced absence due to the pandemic, the Goodwood Revival Meeting returns this weekend for the 23rd in a series that transports fans to a bygone era of motorsport. Here's 10 reasons why you should check it out
The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart
Last weekend's Silverstone Classic may not have benefited from the best British summer weather, but there was some great racing – and a baffling result
The part rolling relics can play in motorsport's high-tech future
OPINION: Last weekend's Silverstone Classic was another reminder of the joys of dusting off racers from days gone by. But while it might not be obvious, the historic racing world has the potential to play its part in our futures – on and off track