With an entry that runs to a total of over 700 racing drivers, the Silverstone Classic (July 25-27) features many of the most successful drivers in historic racing. The impressive list also includes some very notable names, and the following are among the star drivers in action over the 21-race three day event:
Andy Wallace (Jaguar XJR8 in Group C races)
After climbing the single-seater ladder, Wallace later developed a career as one of the world’s leading sports car racers, with victory at Le Mans in 1989 for Jaguar being his greatest result.
Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams (MGB in Gentleman Drivers & Allard J2 in the Woodcote Trophy)
Approaching his 70th birthday, ‘Whizzo’ remains one of Britain’s most popular and most spectacular racing drivers, having been racing and rallying for over 50 years.
Adrian Newey (Ford GT40 in World Sportscar Masters race)
The renowned Formula 1 designer is a relatively latecomer to racing with his Ford GT40. He is currently chief technical officer for the Red Bull Grand Prix team.
Ian Ashley (LDS in Pre ’66 GP car races)
Ashley has raced extensively across the sport, up to and including Grand Prix racing in the mid-70s. He’s now back racing a Formula 1 car from the era before he competed at the pinnacle of the sport.
Rowan Atkinson (Ford Falcon in Top Hat Saloons race)
One of Britain’s most popular actors and writers, Atkinson is also a real fan of historic racing and competes in a mighty Ford Falcon when other commitments allow.
Richard Attwood (BRM P261 in Pre ’66 GP car races)
One of Britain’s most successful racing drivers of the 1960s, Attwood won the Le Mans 24-hours in 1970 and raced in 16 Grands Prix for BRM, Cooper and Lotus
Harald Grohs (Porsche 962 in Group C races)
Grohs is an absolute veteran of endurance racing and has contested more than 50 24-hour races, including racing at Le Mans many times.
John Haugland (Lotus Cortina in Top Hat Saloons race)
Norway’s most successful rally driver of a generation, Haugland is best known for an amazing run of class victories on the British round of the World Rally Championship, the RAC Rally. He won his class seventeen times in works-entered Skodas.
Calum Lockie (Nissan RC90K in Group C races)
The 2000 British GT champion is one of Britain’s most accomplished sports car racers as well as a renowned racing tutor and instructor.
Jac Nellemann (Lotus 17 in Gentleman Drivers race)
One of Denmark’s leading drivers in the 1970s, Nellemann was a front-runner in Formula 3 and Formula 2 and has since carved a reputation as a leading racer of historic cars.
Jackie Oliver (Chevron B16 in World Sportscar Masters & BMW 1800 in Top Hat Saloons)
Forty years ago, Jackie Oliver led the opening laps of the British Grand Prix, having risen to the top of the sport. He later enjoyed a successful career as a Formula 1 team owner and manager and continues to race for fun.
Alec Poole (MGB in Gentleman Drivers race)
Through the 1960s, Poole was of Britain’s leading saloon and sports car racers, winning the British Saloon Car Championship in 1969. Nowadays he continues to race as well as playing a leading role in the organisation of the annual Tour Britannia.
Anthony Reid (LolaT70 in World Sportscar Masters race)
Reid is best known as a highly successful touring car racer, particularly from the Super Touring era when he was twice runner-up in the BTCC. He has also raced and won in single-seaters and sports cars.
Amanda Stretton (Ford Mustang Top Hat Saloons race)
Best known for her work as a TV presenter, Stretton made history in June as the first British woman to compete at Le Mans for at least two decades.
Mike Wilds (Elva Mk5 in BRDC Historic Sports Car race and Porsche 962 in Group C races)
Wilds worked his way up through single-seaters to race in Formula 1, and also earned a fine reputation as a sports car racer, competing at Le Mans eight times including racing for Nissan in 1988.
For more information, visit www.silverstoneclassic.com.
[Source: Silverstone Classic]
