The most dramatic and powerful cars in rallying history will be put through their paces on a spectacular special stage at the Becketts end of the National Straight, with the first session on Friday afternoon followed by three sessions on Saturday and two on Sunday.
A tremendous line-up of 30 cars from rallying history will be in action and many of them have notable period histories. Among the Audi Quattros will be cars previously rallied by legends Hannu Mikkola and Michele Mouton, while an ex-David Llewellin Metro 6R4, one of two such cars in the field, will delight the fans of Austin Rover’s Group B project. Three ex-works Ford RS200s, including an ex-Jesus Puras car, will join two Peugeot 205T16s, one rallied in period by American driver Jon Woodner.
Star cars include an ex-Malcolm Wilson Ford Escort Mk2, an ex-Simo Lampinen Triumph TR7V8, and ex-Tony Pond Vauxhall Chevette HSR and an ex-Stig Blomqvist Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. These cars will be some of the most spectacularly driven of all, and the TR7V8 and the Escort Mk2 will be particular crowd favorites.
Although few cars from the Group B era are now able to compete in contemporary rallies, many of them have been lovingly restored by current owners and are used in demonstration events under the guidance of ‘Slowly Sideways’.
The times for the Group B Rally Demonstration are:
Friday, July 25: 4:00 to 5:00pm
Saturday, July 26: 11:30 to 1:00pm, 1:30 to 3:00pm and 8:15 to 9:00pm
Sunday, July 27: 11:30 to 1:00pm and 3:30 to 5:00pm
Event Background
The annual Silverstone Classic festival will be organized and promoted by Motion Works UK Limited (MWUK), the company recently licensed by Silverstone to stage the event for the next five years.
The annual Silverstone Classic is a celebration of motor racing across all decades from the 1920s to the 1990s on a current FIA approved circuit and is not totally historic as it also invites more contemporary races such as Group C, Saloons and late Formula One cars to be raced and seen in their appropriate surroundings. Classic Car Owner Clubs from across the UK and overseas play an important supporting role in recent years with 4,000 cars expected this year. The event Auction remains an important landmark and features such as the Scarf & Goggles meeting area, art & photo galleries, period air displays, funfairs, themed catering, will be retained and enhanced, with new attractions being added over the next few years.
For more information, ticket prices and the latest news on the 2008 Silverstone Classic, visit www.silverstoneclassic.com.
[Source: Silverstone Classic]
