The Silverstone Classic is an annual three-day car and race event at the UK's Silverstone circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. Over a long weekend every July, the event features hundreds of historic race cars in circa 20 races over the weekend, displays from over 100 car clubs with more than 10,000 classic cars, free access to the paddocks and grandstands, interactive activities, dynamic demonstrations, live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, a shopping village and lots more. Founded in 1990, the Silverstone Classic was one of the first of motor sport meetings dedicated entirely to historic racing cars in 2019 it had a crowd of 109,000. The Classic will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2020.
Races
Now entering its 30th year, with more than 1,000 entries. 2019’s Classic programme consisted of 21 retro races and some of the winners were presented with their trophies by racing legends including Jackie Stewart, Gordon Spice, and Paddy Hopkirk. Both Silverstone’s paddock complexes are used during the weekend of the Classic to accommodate the large number of entrants, with racing taking place out of the National Paddock in the morning and the International Paddock in the afternoon.
Anniversaries
2019
50th Anniversary of Sir Jackie Stewart's first win at Silverstone in 1969
The UK's first Z-Fest to mark the 60th anniversary of the BMW Car Club
;2011
Jaguar E-Type 50th anniversary gathering, achieving the Guinness World Record for the Largest Parade of Jaguar cars with 767 cars on the track
21st Silverstone Classic event
;2010
Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Formula One
;2009
Mini 50th anniversary with four special races including the Laurence Bloom Memorial Trophy
Other attractions
As well as the on-track racing, the Silverstone Classic festival includes live music sets from classic rock and pop bands from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Well known bands to have appeared in recent years include: UB40, Soul II Soul, The Stranglers, Reef, The Boomtown Rats, and the legendary Status Quo in 2015 for the Classic’s 25th anniversary. The line-up for the 30th anniversary celebrations in 2020 is yet to be announced In addition to numerous trade stands, club displays, live demonstrations, and family activities on the Village Green, car auctions are held at each Silverstone Classic. Since 2011, the auctions have been run by Nick Whale's Silverstone Auctions with over £6m of sales in recent years.
