Silverstone Classic Race Meeting, 2015

Bizzarrini-not listed in program but sure made a great photo!.

Story and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

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Photos below include: Squire, Capri, Alfa 1300 Berlina, Maserati 300S, Maserati 250F,Bugatti T35, Pantera, Bizzarrini, Ligier, Ghibli Targa, Breadvan Ferrari, Lancia B20, Alfasud, Gipsy Dino, Alfa 8C 2300 Zagato, Alfa GTA, Talbot, Delahaye and more.

The numbers certainly make impressive reading; one hundred thousand spectators, over one thousand race cars, one hundred twenty car clubs displaying on the infield, fifteen hundred classic cars, all painted silver parading around the circuit on the Sunday, July 26.

It could only be the Silverstone Classic race meeting. This was the 25th running of the event which makes me feel rather old as I have fond memories of attending one of the earlier meetings which featured Ferrari as the theme. It was during that meeting that a lorry-driving pal of mine got to drive an ex -Ferrari race transporter around the Grand Prix circuit during the demo laps. (I really must try to find my video of the event.) Whilst the grids where indeed huge the content was somewhat low on the Italian and French race car count, but the racing was superb and the entries very diverse, from Pre-war Bentleys to Group C racers from the 1980s and 90s. It’s just a shame it rained so much. Thank heavens I picked the only dry day (Saturday) to attend!

The ex-Count Volpi Ferrari breadvan of Martin Halusa was the winner of the inaugural Scarf and Goggles award for most admirable car competing in the meeting. The car was driven in the Royal Automobile Tourist Trophy for historic cars by his sons Niklas and Lukas.

Pantera-no further info.

38 cars were entered for the FIA Masters Historic Formula One race. Unfortunately the 37 Cosworth DFVs drowned out the sound of this beautiful Matra V12-powered Ligier JS17 driven by Rob Hall from Hall and Hall.

Geoff Gordon’s 1961 Alfa 1300 Berlina.

Well-known Talbot racers Tania and Richard Pilkington entered their 1938 4500cc Talbot T26 SS in the Kidston Trophy.

Sounding absolutely magnificent, Martin and Niklas’s 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato.

One of my favorite races of the weekend was the Super Touring Car Trophy which featured many of the cars I can remember watching on the TV back in the 1980s and 1990s. Here is Patrick Watts in his 1998 Peugeot 406.

Neil Twyman driving the Muletto and overtaking Nigel Dowding’s Aston Martin MK2.

Halusa in his T35B.

Simon Diffy in the 250F-CM.

Klaus Lehr’s 250F-CM.

Jim Morris’ 1971 Gipsy Dino P271 powered by a 2000cc Dino V6.

Another 2000cc V6 Dino powered sports racer, this is Keith Martin’s Dulon Dino P271 also from 1971.

Andrew Hall and Patrick Blakeney Edwards shared this rather nice 1934 3500cc Delahaye 135S in the Kidston Trophy for Pre-War Sports cars. The race was named in honor of Bentley boy Glen Kidston.

Guillermo Fierro’s Maserati 250F, chassis 2501/2523 was one of the stars in the HGPCA race for Pre-1966 Grand Prix cars.

My wife’s favorite car, though hers was not as fast as Steve Dymoke’s Alfa 156 shown here.

Slightly smaller than the Fiat S76, Duncan Pittaway 1925 Bugatti T35B.

Slightly smaller than the Fiat S76 he drove at Impney! Duncan Pittaway aboard the 1925 Bugatti T35B.

Gregor Fisken in the Tim Samways-entered 1960 Ferrari 246S. The victor on the day of the Stirling Moss Trophy for Pre-1961 Sports cars.

The Ghilbili Targa is a one-off which was built by Pavesi.

The Alfa Sud was amazing. Owned for 39 years by Jonathan Trigg (I need to check the name) the car is totally original and has covered 75 thousand miles. The car was featured on the BBC programme Top Gear back in the 1980s when it was the 1970s choice of car for a cars of the decade feature.

The Alfa Sud was amazing. Owned for 39 years by Jonathan Trinder, the car is totally original and has covered 75 thousand miles. The car was featured on the BBC programme Top Gear back in the 1980s when it was the 1970s choice of car for a “cars of the decade” feature.

The B20 is listed as 1991cc 1953, drivers David and Andrew Wenman (info from the HSCC web site) but the programme lists the Wenman's as racing a C Type Jaguar. The name on the drivers door is certainly not Wenman. I also think the Jury is out with regards to the modern alloys. The car was due to race on Sunday in the RAC Woodcote Trophy for pre 1956 Sports cars.

The B20 is listed as 1991cc 1953, drivers David and Andrew Wenman (info from the HSCC web site) but the program lists the Wenman’s as racing a C Type Jaguar. I also think the Jury is out with regards to the modern alloys. The car was due to race on Sunday in the RAC Woodcote Trophy for Pre-1956 Sports cars.

The Matra V12 engine is in Rob Hall’s Ligier JS17.

Jeremy Cooke’s 1974 3.0 RSR.

The Costin Nathan GT again is racing today the the HSCC Guards Trophy race. The drivers are Mark and Jack Woodhouse.

Racing in the HSCC Guards Trophy race on Sunday was this very interesting 1600cc Costin Nathan GT from 1966. Entered and driven by Jack and Mark Woodhouse.

The Ensign F1 sans bodywork just because it shows how vulnerable drivers were in the 1970s.

the Squire Short Chassis from 1935. 1498cc and supercharged in sounded fantastic. The drivers were Richard Wilson and David Brazell.

The Squire Short Chassis from 1935. The 1498cc supercharged engine sounded fantastic. The drivers were Richard Wilson and David Brazell.

The Williams F1 line up was put on by Williams and is part of their Heritage collection.

Rapi Fiat 8V with Bristol 404.

Jason Wright and Salvadori Ivo’s 1965 GTA.

Max and Andrew Banks from Alfaholics 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA.

Max and Andrew Banks from Alfaholics in a 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA.

Another star from the stable of Martin Halusa and entered in Sunday’s Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy for Pre-1956 Sports cars. Driven by Lukas Halusa..