Record-breaking crowds flock to Silverstone Classic

Posted on Aug 04, 2016

Drawn by the roar and beguiled by the beauty of some of the world’s most iconic race cars, tens of thousands of motorsport fans flocked to the Silverstone Classic last weekend. A stunning line-up of over 10,000 magnificent motors and a race timetable embracing everything from Sixties saloons through Can Ams and historic F1 vehicles, ensured packed crowds at what is the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival. By ‘Tin Top Sunday’ the organisers were celebrating as attendance figures were smashed for what proved to be a fantastic weekend of exhaust-fumed entertainment. Among attendees were members of the Principal Insurance specialist motor insurance team, who enjoyed a serious perk of the job as they got to spend three days at the world-famous Northamptonshire circuit.

Principal Insurance chat to Silverstone Classic visitors

In-between chatting to the many motorsport fans who dropped by the Principal stand to discuss performance, prestige, kit, replica and classic car insurance, the team got to savour the sights and sounds. Unmissable, both literally and figuratively, were the massed ranks of Porsches brought to the show by Porsche Classic and Porsche Club GB, just two of over 120 car clubs in attendance. These included one of only two 1973 917/30 Spyders ever built. One of the most powerful racing cars the world has seen, this circuit-chewing turbocharged twelve cylinder 5.4 litre machine is capable of throwing out as many as 1,400 horses, does 0-62mph in a measly 2.4 seconds and has an estimated top speed of 240mph. It proved to be all conquering, taking the top four places in the 1973 CanAm championship with factory driver Mark Donohue securing a record-breaking 222mph lap of Alabama’s Talladega Oval circuit. Porsche at Silverstone Classic 2016

Elsewhere enthusiasts could get up close and personal to a raft of Formula 1 racing carts, including Nigel Mansell’s JPS Lotus, Tim Schenken’s 1972 Surtees TS9B, Michael Schumacher’s 1992 Benetton B192 and the 2007 Honda RA107-05 driven by both Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Pride of place went, though, to James Hunt’s Cosworth DFV powered Mclaren M23D, its appearance marking the 40^th anniversary of the legendary British driver’s championship winning season. Silverstone Classic Motorsport festival James Hunt

Silverstone Classic Motorsport festival James Hunt

Wandering around paddocks, pits, club stands and displays, the enormous and enduring popularity of the Silverstone Classic is easily understandable.. This is a show that caters to varied motoring tastes, Maseratis rubbing shoulders with Austin Healeys, Aston Martins, Caterhams, MGs, Testarossas, and many, many more marques. They look and sound beautiful, no more so than when they’ve taken to the track for some gentlemanly competition. If you’ve not had the chance to attend the show then get it booked into your 2017 calendar because it is an absolute must-do for any fan of historic motorsport vehicles. More from our Silverstone Classic gallery.... (photos by Sharon Gill) No 79 Silverstone Classic motorsport