Formula 1 Epics of the 70's to be Revived at Silverstone Classic

07 June 2007

Silverstone’s Formula One races of the 1970s will be celebrated in two sensational races at this year’s Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, on July 27-29.

The Daily Express Silverstone International Trophy, which takes place on the Sunday afternoon, will be one of the most eagerly anticipated historic spectacles of the season, as a full grid of cars from the Grand Prix Masters series fight it out in their period liveries.

On the Saturday, the same cars will take part in the James Hunt Trophy curtain raiser. This race will honour the charismatic British legend who won the 1976 World Championship, as well as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1977, the Daily Express International Trophy in 1974, and the International Trophy in ’76.

Provisionally expected to be at Silverstone are three examples of the McLaren M26, with which Hunt won the 1977 Grand Prix. They will be driven by international sportscar racing star Bobby Verdon-Roe, a recent convert to Grand Prix Masters, plus seasoned historic racers Frank Lyons and Christophe d’Ansembourg.

The earlier McLaren M23 has an extraordinary Silverstone history. Not only is it the model in which Hunt won the World title and the ’76 International Trophy, but Peter Revson won the 1973 British Grand Prix in one, and Emerson Fittipaldi did likewise in the 1975 British Grand Prix. M23s should be represented by Joaquin Folch, Andrea Burani and Richard Meins.

Not only that, but the Silverstone crowd will cheer on the Hesketh 308B of American visitor Lee Brahin, bringing back memories of Hunt’s 1974 International Trophy win in the car.

Among the other cars, the Fittipaldi F5A in which Emerson Fittipaldi finished second in the 1978 International Trophy - the last time the non-championship race was run for Grand Prix teams - is entered. Tyrrell, Lotus, Brabham, Shadow, Surtees, March, Ensign, Trojan and Amon cars are expected, while for 12-cylinder variety there should be at least two BRMs.

Masters Series director Christopher Tate said: “We can safely say that we’ve been working for three years to build the grid for Grand Prix Masters at the Silverstone Classic, and we’re absolutely delighted with what we’re getting this year. Last year’s event at the Classic was an epic, and it had loads of coverage in the national press the next morning.“

The pace at the front of Grand Prix Masters has really picked up this year and we’re expecting some very good racing again, with lots of beautiful cars all the way down the field.”

Tickets for the 2007 Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, have been priced at an attractive £15 for the Friday and £20 for the Saturday or Sunday if booked in advance (£20 on the Friday and £25 on the Saturday or Sunday if purchased on the day), while a special Event Ticket represents fantastic value at £35 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 2007 Silverstone Classic, in association with Bonhams, visit www.silverstone.co.uk, or call 08704 588 260.

See 2007 calendar of events at Silverstone Circuit

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