A host of celebrities were on hand at Silverstone race track yesterday to launch the 2012 Silverstone Classic ‘Celebrity Challenge’. The race, which will take place on Saturday 21^st July at the world’s biggest classic car racing festival, will see an all-star line-up competing in 130mph Morgan lightweight race cars around the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

Celebrity drivers including Hollywood star Sir Patrick Stewart, Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott and Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole joined fellow racers Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale), Coronation Street’s Tony Hirst and ex-England footballer Steve Bull at yesterday’s launch.  Other famous faces set to line up on the grid for the event, which is raising funds for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and the RPJ Crohn’s Foundation, include Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, award-winning chef Heston Blumenthal, lifestyle guru Jo Wood, ‘Comedy Dave’ Vitty from Radio 1, Sky Sports presenter Vicky Gomersall, and legendary rocker Brian Johnson from AC/DC.

Speaking at the launch Sir Patrick Stewart said “I’ve raced once before, in a pro-celebrity event on the Long Beach Grand Prix circuit in California – but that was 10 years ago.  I’ve been in retirement since then!  When the chance to drive a great British sports car here at Silverstone came up … well, what could be better?  It was just irresistible.  I’m looking forward to it immensely”. 

Sir Patrick faces tough opposition from the likes of Brendan Cole who’s hoping to improve on last year’s 3^rd place finish. “Yeah, I had a little podium finish last time round … which was very nice” says Cole, “but let’s just say second place is not an option this year!  It’s going to be a big weekend – the Silverstone Classic is a massive event – and I’m really excited about it”.

The boys will have a race on their hands though because Chemmy Alcott is determined to give it her all.  “When I took on the boys on the ski slopes they didn’t really like it so I want to see if the same applies on the race track” she says.  “I’ve been clocked at 92mph on a downhill run but I’m planning to go a lot quicker in the car.  It’s a fabulous opportunity to have some fun and raise money for charity at the same time.  I’m so excited about being a racing driver for the day – it’s just going to be an amazing experience”.

Once again both Silverstone’s National and new International Wing pits and paddock complexes will be maximised to house more than 800 of the world’s finest historic racing cars with a packed schedule of races all staged on the full Grand Prix circuit. Adding to the spectacle more than 7,000 classic cars will be displayed over the weekend on the infield with many hallowed marques celebrating important milestones in their evocative histories.

Other highlights include live rock concerts, a special star-studded celebrity race, air displays, a vintage fun fair, a host of retail opportunities and rally car rides plus the exciting new interactive AA World automotive theme park. With so much to experience at the Silverstone Classic, it’s no surprise that advance ticket sales are 31 per cent up on the same period last year – itself a record.

“The Silverstone Classic just gets bigger and better every year with even more for all ages to see and do,” confirmed Event Director Nick Wigley at today’s (Wednesday 9 May) media preview at Silverstone. “The quality and quantity of our grids and car club displays is second to none while our new partnership with the AA is playing a significant role in extending the event’s massive appeal to an even wider family audience. We thought last year’s blockbuster was going to be hard to match but, with so many unmissable highlights already confirmed, it’s clear that this summer’s festival is going to be the best yet.” 

2011: A RECORD BREAKER

With a total of 1,104 race entries the 2011 Silverstone Classic is believed to have been the biggest race meeting ever staged anywhere in the world, while the 80,000 attendance was unprecedented in the event’s recent history. Last year’s Classic also established a new Guinness World Record for the ‘largest parade of Jaguar cars’ when 767 E-types took to the track to celebrate the iconic British sportscar’s 50th birthday.

NON-STOP ON-TRACK ACTION

The 2012 Silverstone Classic will witness no fewer than 24 races, many boasting full 58-car grids. The impressive line-up includes the finest historic racing cars covering more than eight halcyon decades. The wide-ranging race card organised by the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) features no fewer than 100 Grand Prix cars plus spectacular grids of Le Mans, GT, Group C, Jaguar E-types, Sports and Touring cars providing the very best of nostalgic race action. After its huge success in 2011, there’s the return of the Jaguar E-type Challenge as well as new races for mighty Formula 5000 and giant-killing F2 single-seaters and a unique ‘tin top’ race showcasing the cream of the front-runners from European, British and German Touring Car championships spanning the years from 1975 to 1999. This grid will also put a special spotlight on the evocative Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, the turbocharged winged wondercar which turns 25 this year.

HONOURING HEROES

The remarkable achievements of two of motor sport’s most respected figures will be commemorated with races dedicated in memory of the late Peter Gethin and Alan Mann. Gethin, who passed away last December, will be remembered not only for winning the 1971 Italian Grand Prix in the closest finish in F1 history but also for capturing the British Formula 5000 Championship in both 1969 and 1970 as well as the Tasman F5000 Series in 1974. To honour these titles, the new F5000/F2 race will bear the revered Peter Gethin name. Also a racer in his early life, Mann’s place in motor sport history comes through the Alan Mann Racing team that he established during the Sixties. Though Mann passed away in March many of his distinctively liveried red and gold saloon and sportscars are still competing today thus keeping the legend alive. Celebrating his team’s achievements – not least in taking three British Touring Car Championship crowns – this year’s Under 2-Litre Touring Car (U2TC) races will be dedicated to the memory of Alan Mann.    

SHOWBIZ STARS GO RACING

A special celebrity race starring famous faces from the high-profile worlds of music, sport, media and show business is now an annual attraction – and this year’s Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge promises to be the best yet with more big names competing than ever before. Those donning race suits and helmets include: Chemmy Alcott (Olympic skier/ITV Dancing On Ice); Heston Blumenthal (award winning chef); Julia Bradbury (BBC Countryfile presenter); Steve Bull (ex-England football star); ‘Comedy Dave’ Vitty (BBC Radio 1); Brendan Cole (BBC Strictly Come Dancing); Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale); Vicky Gomersall (Sky Sports presenter); Tony Hirst (Coronation Street); Brian Johnson (AC/DC rocker); Sir Patrick Stewart (film and stage actor) and Jo Wood (lifestyle guru). As in 2011, the stars will be lining up on a grid of competition-prepared Morgan race cars. Funds raised will support the Bobby Moore Fund, the Birmingham Children's Hospital and both Crohns and Colitis charities.

AA WORLD: THE ULTIMATE INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE THEME PARK

Backed by the Automobile Association ­– the UK’s biggest motoring organisation – AA World is perhaps the most significant new attraction for 2012. Based right at the heart of the venue, close to Silverstone’s impressive new Wing pits and paddock complex, the new AA World motoring theme park will provide show-goers of all generations with an unprecedented line-up of free driving experiences ranging from electric cars for toddlers and taster driving lessons for teenagers to hot laps around the Stowe Circuit in some of today’s latest and most desirable performance cars. With an F1 simulator, pit stop challenges, lessons on how to prepare food for the road, a giant Scalextric track, dodgems, classic car displays plus a host of other attractions, AA World is going to be a fun-filled experience for children and parents alike.

Edmund King, AA President, commented: “AA World will get the whole family involved in the fun of driving from Roary The Racing Car for toddlers to hot laps and skid-pan sessions for the grown-ups. And pre-driving age teenagers will be able to get behind the wheel of an AA driving school Ford Focus for a first drive at Silverstone. Personally I believe Drive.Live. in conjunction with AA World will be fantastic fun – a rolling motor show providing visitors with passenger and hot lap driving experiences. Already those signed up include Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Morgan and there’s going to be lots more. It’s a real opportunity for visitors to have a go in those cars. AA World will be thrilling free fun for all the family and will put 100 per cent enjoyment back into motoring.”

FIELDS OF GOLD

The Silverstone Classic is one of the must-see events in the diary of every car enthusiast – that’s why the event has become a major highlight on the calendars of more than 120 motor clubs. Many clubs take their own dedicated display areas and over the weekend more than 7,000 classic cars are on show. These range from exotic marques such as Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche to equally intriguing and cherished models from the likes of Sunbeam, Morris and Rover.

CHAMPAGNE MOMENTS

Every summer many car clubs choose the Silverstone Classic to celebrate special milestones in model, marque or club histories. After last year’s record breaking parade of E-type Jaguars, this summer witnesses the 50th anniversaries of a number of other much-loved British sportscars, notably the Lotus Elan, Triumph Spitfire and AC Cobra. The Silverstone Classic has also been selected by the MGB50 Committee as one of just three official celebrations to mark 50 years of the much-loved MGB. From the other end of the spectrum, a world record gathering of more than 60 mouth-watering Ferrari F40s will celebrate 25 years of the idolised Italian supercar, rated by many to be the Prancing Horse’s greatest creation.

Z-CARS: THE SEQUEL

The UK will stage its first-ever BMW ‘Z-Fest’ at this summer’s Silverstone Classic. Organised by the official BMW Car Club GB as one of the highlights of its 60th birthday celebrations in 2012, the UK’s inaugural Z-Fest will see hundreds and hundreds of BMW’s popular Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 sportscars on display as well as participating in a special parade lap on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

SHOWROOM SHOWCASE

Operating in conjunction with AA World, Drive.Live. is giving today’s generation of motor manufacturers a chance to display their heritage alongside latest showroom models and also provide show-goers with hot laps in selected models around the venue’s ‘infield’ Stowe Circuit. BMW, Lamborghini, Maserati and Morgan have already jumped at the opportunity to showcase their hottest new offerings to what’s a very discerning audience. Drive.Live. is another of the exciting new initiatives being introduced for 2012 which, like AA World, is all set to become a major attraction in future years.         

ROCK FESTIVAL FEVER

Living up to its ‘Rocking and Racing’ tag, the Silverstone Classic is renowned for its live rock concerts staged on both Friday and Saturday evenings. This year’s impressive line-up includes chart-toppers Adam Ant and Mike & the Mechanics plus guitar ‘supergroup’ Snakecharmer. To get everyone in the right party mood Roy G Hemmings’ Motown Show and the Taking Care of Elvis Show are also on the bill. In addition AA World boasts its own live music shows, while the popular all-female Tetra Electra Quartet will perform amplified arrangements of classical favourites on Sunday afternoon.

GOING, GOING, GONE

Following a successful debut in 2011, Silverstone Auctions will be organising the Silverstone Classic Sale with lots on display in the Wing building. The sale will include a diverse and stunning collection of classic cars, modern sportscars, motorcycles and automobilia, giving every motoring enthusiast a reason to attend. Last year's event generated sales of more than £1.3m. Viewing is scheduled for Friday (20 July) and the Saturday morning (21 July) with the auction then starting at midday on Saturday.

STAYING AT SILVERSTONE

With an increasing number of Silverstone Classic visitors taking advantage of special multi-day ticket offers and turning the three-day event into a pop-style festival, a more comprehensive choice of on-site camping and ‘glamping’ options is now available. These range from tent pitches on the fully serviced circuit-side Woodlands Campsite to unique Snoozebox accommodation set right in the heart of the action. The latter provides modern and stylish rooms complete with flat screen television, double bed, free WiFi and air conditioning.

FLAT OUT FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

There’s so much more fun for all ages to enjoy at the Silverstone Classic with a vintage fun fair, go-karts, aerial displays with wing walkers, the Parachute Regiment The Red Devils, hot air balloons, Punch and Judy (celebrating 350 years), rally car and 4x4 experiences plus giant TV screens showing all the on-track action. There is even a pampering centre on the Village Green plus the retail village with nearly 200 exhibitors presenting a wide range of autojumble, automobilia, art, jewellery, books, videos and gifts for everyone.

TICKETS: ACCESS ALL AREAS

Another traditional Silverstone Classic forte is its widely-praised ‘access all areas’ policy. General admission tickets include free entrance to all live music shows, AA World, trackside grandstand seating and both International and Wing pits and paddock complexes that allow fans to meet the competitors and see many of the world’s finest racing cars at close quarters. Tickets also provide access to an increased number of on-site buses that will provide free transfers between all the numerous attractions. Adult tickets cost as little as £35 if purchased in advance and special two- and three-day weekend tickets are also available. Full details are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

The Peter Gethin Memorial Trophy for howling, growling Formula 2 and Formula 5000 single-seater machinery (1960s-70s) plus the Alan Mann Trophy for evocative Under 2 Litre Touring Cars (1960s-70s) are sure to provoke plenty of emotion among public – already pre-sales are 31 per cent up on 2011’s event which attracted some 80,000 visitors, itself a record.

Gethin was renowned for his exploits in Formula 5000, winning back-to-back British titles in 1969 and 1970 plus the Tasman Series in 1974. He even used an F5000 car to upstage the Formula 1 teams in the then-annual Race of Champions event at Brands Hatch in 1973. Gethin is also famous for winning what remains the closest race in Formula 1 history – the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1971. Meanwhile Mann set new standards in race car preparation that earned his Alan Mann Racing team official backing from automotive giant Ford and made it the outfit to beat in European and British saloon car racing in the mid-late Sixties. In addition, Mann’s squad was responsible for one of sportscar racing’s most stunning creations later that same decade, the Ford F3L.

Present at yesterday’s (Weds 9 May) Silverstone Classic media preview event were both men’s sons, Nick Gethin and Henry Mann – the latter will contest the U2TC race at the wheel of a Ford Lotus Cortina in the iconic red and gold colours made so famous by his father’s team.

Nick Gethin said his father, who passed away in December 2011, would have been moved by the tribute. He commented: “It’s just a lovely occasion and actually an absolute privilege to see and meet other drivers racing cars from that era and who want to carry on that spirit. The race will be a very emotional occasion for many people. My father would have been proud as punch and touched greatly that so many of his contemporaries thought so highly of him.”

Having lost his father in March, Henry Mann added: “Dad would have been chuffed. In the last ten years of his life it was always a great pleasure for him to meet up with old friends and see the old cars go round. He’d been out of racing for about 30 years but then, to suddenly find this revival in classic and historic cars and bump into some old friends and faces around the paddock – particularly at the Classic – was a big thing for him.

“The race for me will be quite a big deal. Normally I’d have called my father and asked for his advice on a few things but not having that now is a bit difficult. It will be emotional but hopefully he will be looking down approvingly. I’m not expecting any gentlemanly behaviour from my rivals and neither my father nor I would expect that. We’re racers at the end of the day.”

AA World includes:

• Free taster driving lessons for those aged 12 and over (minimum height restrictions apply)
• Skid Pan and 4x4 Experiences
• Meet and greets with Roary the Racing Car and Friends
• Hot Laps on the Stowe Circuit
• Electric Jeeps for juniors
• F1 driving simulator
• Pit-stop Challenge
• Giant Scalextric racetrack
• Car Archery Challenge
• AA Emporium including cooking demonstrations
• Parking Challenge
• AA Grand Tour classic car display 
• Special AA heritage display
• Big top and funfair with dodgems
• Racing action live on big screen
• Live music on AA flatbed truck stage

Backed by the Automobile Association ­– the UK’s biggest motoring organisation – AA World is an integral part of the Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (20-21-22 July), the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival with 1,000 historic race cars and 7,000 classic display cars. The three-day event is also a major family attraction with live rock music, air shows, retail village, vintage funfair plus a host of other entertainment in addition to a packed programme of track action showcasing the full spectrum of motor sport history.

Based right at the heart of the Silverstone Circuit, close to the venue’s impressive new Wing pits and paddock complex, the new AA World motoring theme park will provide show-goers of all generations with an unprecedented line up of free driving experiences ranging from electric cars for toddlers and taster driving lessons for teenagers to hot laps around the Stowe Circuit in some of today’s latest and most desirable performance cars.

Edmund King, AA president, says: “AA World will get the whole family involved in the fun of driving from Roary The Racing Car for toddlers to hot laps and skid-pan sessions for the grown-ups.

“And pre-driving age teenagers will be able to get behind the wheel of an AA driving school Ford Focus for a first drive at Silverstone.”

“The arrival of AA World will add yet another fantastic dimension to what’s already a great event for car lovers of all ages.” confirmed Nick Wigley, Event Director of the Silverstone Classic.

The AA World driving experiences will be free to both AA members and non-members. The AA believes that driving is an important life skill and it regularly campaigns on young driver road safety. Earlier this year, it called for driving science to be included in the National Curriculum and its charity offers free ‘Drive Smart’ tuition to young, newly-qualified drivers.

Full details of the 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA – including further information on AA World as well as a comprehensive selection of on-site camping facilities – are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.  

• Early Bird tickets offer up to 27 per cent savings if booked before the end of March

The 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (20-22 July) will host two rounds of the Jaguar E-type Challenge, it was confirmed today (Monday 12 March). The news completes a massive 24-race programme featuring the world’s largest collection of classic racing machinery. Once again the full line-up will total in excess of 1000 entries spanning more than eight decades of motor sport history and includes the finest Formula One, GT, saloon and Le Mans cars from past generations.  

Created last year to salute the 50^th birthday of Britain’s favourite sportscar, the unique Jaguar E-type Challenge – run exclusively for packed grids of E-types – was one of the star attractions at the 2011 Silverstone Classic… an event chosen by Jaguar clubs from around the world to mark the iconic Coventry Cat’s golden anniversary.

“With grids of more than 50 competition-prepared E-types, the two Jaguar races were among last summer’s highlights – that’s why we are so delighted to welcome back the Jaguar E-type Challenge to the Silverstone Classic in July,” enthused Nick Wigley, Event Organiser. “We will be staging two rounds of the series with races on both Saturday and Sunday, thus providing fans with a double dose of high quality and truly evocative action. The fast nature of the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit certainly suits the E-type and I’m sure all those who enjoyed last year’s races will be thrilled by the promise of a repeat while those who missed last year’s Classic will have another chance to see what all the excitement was about.”

Just five circuits will be hosting the Jaguar E-type Challenge in 2012 with races in France and Germany in addition to those in the UK. As last year, the Silverstone Classic with its licence to start up to 58 cars is likely to witness the biggest grid of the season.

A Guinness World Record-breaking track parade of 767 racing and road going E-types was another of last year’s celebrations. Emulating that memorable achievement, this July’s three-day festival will honour a host of equally evocative anniversaries. These include 50^th birthday homages for the AC Cobra, Lotus Elan, MGB and Triumph Spitfire plus the UK’s first BMW Z-Fest to mark 60 years of the BMW Car Club GB. Another highlight will be the largest ever gathering of Ferrari F40s (an unprecedented 54 are registered to date) as the much-admired Italian supercar reaches its 25^th birthday.