Aston Martin Racing CEO, Dave Richards to Challenge for Pursuit at Silverstone Classic

25 July 2006

This weekend’s Silverstone Classic (28-30 July), in association with Bonhams, offers visitors to the famous Northamptonshire Grand Prix venue an action-packed feast of historic race action. Two and four wheeled machines will compete in races around the 3.144–mile Historic Grand Prix Circuit during three full days of non-stop entertainment.

Eight decades of motorsport will be represented on-track, from 1920s sportscars contesting the famous BRDC 500, through the pre and post war decades, to the monstrous Group C Le Mans cars of the 1980s and early 90s.

From the start of the first practice session on Friday morning to the fall of the chequered flag at the end of Sunday’s final race, some of the most valuable racing machinery in the world will take centre stage, and competitors will vie to win one of the many famous trophies on offer.

Each race at the Silverstone Classic carries a unique title, many named after famous drivers and riders who have entertained at Silverstone during the circuit’s 58-year history.

Three of the more prestigious British racing trophies up for grabs include:

The Daily Express Silverstone International Trophy is one of the ‘big three’, with an invitation race for Formula One Cars with Grand Prix Masters forming the grid for this great race.

The history of the International Trophy can be traced back to 1949, when the event was held at Silverstone for the very first time. F1, F2 and F3000 cars contested the legendary race during its heyday and with the Daily Express – the driving force behind the race for nearly forty years – back on board as the National Media Partner to Silverstone Classic, the race is sure to capture the imagination of those at trackside.

The British Empire Trophy is no less famous. The Empire Trophy is a magnificent award belonging to Silverstone’s owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC).

The history of this trophy dates back to the early 1930s, when early races were contested at Brooklands and Donington Park.
In following years the trophy has been presented in the Isle of Man, Oulton Park and Silverstone to name but a few. This year, the coveted British Empire Trophy has, again, been granted for use at the Silverstone Classic by the BRDC for a Group C sportscar race.

The BRDC 500 is another top-billing trophy to share the Silverstone Classic programme. The oldest race in the portfolio of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, the BRDC 500 visits the Classic weekend for the second year running.

Making its track debut in 1929, the BRDC 500 ran at Brooklands until 1937, when the event disappeared from the tracks of Britain until 2004. The Club department of the BRDC saw the opportunity to re-introduce the race in 2004, and for the past three years the ‘500’ has attracted a full and varied grid of history on wheels.

Instead of racing for 500-miles competitors, in period pre-war sportscars, now race for a duration of one-hour, with two drivers sharing duties behind the wheel. Two historic elements from the original race remain however. The original BRDC 500 trophy is still presented to the race winners, and the recipients receive their victory laurels by the Brooklands Gates – once gating the entrance to the racecourse in Surrey whose name they carry, and now located outside the BRDC Clubhouse at Silverstone. Pure nostalgia.

Organisers of this year’s Silverstone Classic have confirmed a staggering line up of 22 races, with over 600 race cars and motorcycles, creating probably the largest paddock in the world. The opportunity to see these stunning cars and motor cycles re-living their glorious past, racing in a competitive environment, makes the Silverstone Classic an absolute must for anyone with a passion for motorsport and classic racing.

In line with the overall theme for this year’s Classic, the star cars of the photocall were an Aston Martin DBR1 and an Aston Martin Works DBR9. Both are scheduled to take part in the Aston Martin Pursuit Challenge on the Saturday and Sunday of the event, which will also feature a 1960 DBR4, a 1962 DB4GT, and a 2006 Aston Martin Racing DBRS9. All five drivers are also confirmed for the challenge, including Peter Hardman, Tony Dron, Gillian Goldsmith, David Brabham and Chairman of Aston Martin Racing, David Richards.

Silverstone bosses have ensured there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained throughout the 3-days, both on and off the track. The entire Silverstone Classic infield will be packed with car and motorcycle club displays, featuring more than 1,500 classic examples from over 50 famous marques; a free period fun fair; air displays; hot air balloon flights; an Antique & Craft Fair; trade stalls; a Photo & Art Gallery; the Scalextric Roadshow, plus live music and barbecues in the famous Scarf & Goggles entertainment area.

With so much entertainment on offer, the Silverstone Classic is a great way to spend the first weekend of the school summer holidays. Advance tickets are available from as little as £15 per person per day, and with accompanied children aged 15 and under going FREE, a family of four can enjoy a fantastic festival of motorsport at Silverstone for as little as £30 per day.

Tickets for the 2006 Silverstone Classic have been priced at an attractive £15 per day if booked in advance (£20 on the day), while special Event Tickets offer great value at £40 for all three days. Children aged 15 years and under, accompanied by an adult, go free, while parking, roving grandstand seating, Paddock access and centre transfer are all also included in these special prices.

To purchase tickets, or for further information on the 2006 Silverstone Classic visit www.silverstone.co.uk/classic, or call 08704 588 260. A detailed event timetable is also available via the website.

See 2006 calendar of events at Silverstone Circuit

Related Story 11.07.2006 - Silverstone Confirms 22 Race Lineup and Worlds Largest Paddock for Classic