Racing Celebrities Rewrite History for Silverstone Classic

The Silverstone Classic arrives on the Silverstone start line next month from July 24-26, celebrating over 90 years of historical racing. Organizers expect over 900 racers prepare to go head to head in 20 races, featuring 700 cars from original Formula One chassis and Minis to exotic ’60s sports cars.

For fun, Silverstone Classic asked the following motorsport heroes confirm which cars, historic races or “off-track” activity they wish they had been part of.

“I’d love to have done more in F1. I grew up a child of the Scalextric era, passionate about cars such as the March and JPS Lotus. Imagine lining up on a ’70s Formula One grid alongside the likes of James Hunt, Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi. I reckon the social scene was pretty extraordinary then too!”
Mark Blundell

“I’ve driven many of Jaguar’s finest racing cars from E-Types, the XJS touring cars throughout Europe, and the sublime Le Mans and Daytona 24-hour winning masterpieces. I’ve even driven the Jaguar F1 car at Silverstone and through Regent Street, London, of all places!  A 1950s D-Type at Le Mans would have completed the set nicely!”
Martin Brundle

“I wish I could have raced an old 1937 Auto Union: it had power unequalled until turbocharged F1 GP cars in the ’80s; or to have enjoyed both racing and the camaraderie of the Bentley Boys in the Le Mans 24-hour races of the 1920s. I had the privilege of practising driver changes with Woolf Barnato’s extraordinary aviator daughter Diana, before she sadly passed away aged 90: imagine if I’d got her to actually race with me!”
Tom Kristensen

“I’d love to have driven a Maserati T 60 Birdcage on its first outing, and enjoyed the astonishment of fellow competitors at its performance. I’d also love to have driven the Ferrari GTO at Le Mans in 1962, maybe driving it from Maranello to the circuit to run it in!”
Nick Mason

“I remember thinking, when the XK120 was launched, how amazing it was for such a beautiful car to have twin overhead camshafts, 120 mph top speed and only cost £1000. The XK was so far ahead of its time and the car ‘to have’. I was very keen to race one, especially after the 120’s win in its first race at Silverstone in 1949. I managed to borrow one the year after and win the TT, which was my big breakthrough.”
Sir Stirling Moss

“The early 70s was probably one of the coolest eras to race in: drivers showed their personalities as well as the cars.  I watched a film showing the 1972 Maserati and Ferrari sports cars battle from Sebring to Le Mans to Watkins Glen: those cars were so stylish and sexy to look at, and I’m sure fun to drive as well.”
Allan McNish

The Silverstone Classic includes original cars from over 90 years of historic racing, including Formula One cars from the eras of Hunt and Lauda; a Jaguar feature race that celebrates the first XK120’s win at Silverstone 60 years ago; a pre-’63 GT grid featuring the original Aston Martin Project 212 and no less than five SWB Ferraris; thundering Le Mans endurance racers, touring cars and Minis.

For tickets and more information, visit www.silverstoneclassic.com.

[Source: Silverstone Classic]