Silverstone Classic 2019
One of the best shows of the year
Review by Trev
Silverstone Classic 2019
Friday 26th – 28nd July and is 42 hours of classic motoring entertainment..
The venue opens at 7.30am. Racing starts soon after, and goes on to around 9pm on Saturday evening. By this time, the evening entertainment had begun on the Village Live stage, which was already banging from this year’s theme of the sounds of Woodstock. The site closes at 11pm Friday and Saturday and 6.30pm on Sunday.
Friday 26th – 28nd July and is 42 hours of classic motoring entertainment..
The venue opens at 7.30am. Racing starts soon after, and goes on to around 9pm on Saturday evening. By this time, the evening entertainment had begun on the Village Live stage, which was already banging from this year’s theme of the sounds of Woodstock. The site closes at 11pm Friday and Saturday and 6.30pm on Sunday.
Access and Location
Access to Silverstone is very easy and quick, being well designed to handle the traffic. There is good signage and lane demarcation from the A43. There is also very little queuing, due to everything being pre-booked and run by an experienced, friendly and enthusiastic staff.
Many people take advantage of the Car Club discounts, which encourage infield parking. This not only adds to the spectacle of the event, but also places you right at the heart of the action. Most club display areas change each year and the size of the club turn-out also designates their position.
My advice is to study the map and location of displays before arriving (available on the website). The site is huge and if you’re only visiting for one day, good planning is essential.
Access to Silverstone is very easy and quick, being well designed to handle the traffic. There is good signage and lane demarcation from the A43. There is also very little queuing, due to everything being pre-booked and run by an experienced, friendly and enthusiastic staff.
Many people take advantage of the Car Club discounts, which encourage infield parking. This not only adds to the spectacle of the event, but also places you right at the heart of the action. Most club display areas change each year and the size of the club turn-out also designates their position.
My advice is to study the map and location of displays before arriving (available on the website). The site is huge and if you’re only visiting for one day, good planning is essential.
Getting around and where to stop
We camp on the Woodlands Campsite adjoining Silverstone itself. Regular tractor/trailer shuttle services run throughout the day to gate 15. The camp site is very large and costs £49 each from Thursday to Monday. Facilities are good and include the normal showers and washing facilities, as well as a shop and pub which provides food. Due to its size, it can be quite a walk to the toilets/showers and this is the only negative for the site.
There are several other local campsites and many B&Bs in the local area, and due to the quick entry and good parking, these can be very convenient, even at 30 miles away.
We camp on the Woodlands Campsite adjoining Silverstone itself. Regular tractor/trailer shuttle services run throughout the day to gate 15. The camp site is very large and costs £49 each from Thursday to Monday. Facilities are good and include the normal showers and washing facilities, as well as a shop and pub which provides food. Due to its size, it can be quite a walk to the toilets/showers and this is the only negative for the site.
There are several other local campsites and many B&Bs in the local area, and due to the quick entry and good parking, these can be very convenient, even at 30 miles away.
Once at gate 15 or any of the entry gates, you can catch the free bus service around the outside of the circuit. This is regular and quick and will drop you off conveniently to catch the internal bus service near the Village. This runs all the way to the International Paddock and is a must for getting around. It’s also free and the bus stops are staffed.
The club cars are restricted from movement between 10.00 and 17.00 but this is not policed and you should be aware of vehicles at all times. Race cars do move around the site, but you generally hear these, whereas the quads, push-bikes, scooters and Tesla can surprise you.
The club cars are restricted from movement between 10.00 and 17.00 but this is not policed and you should be aware of vehicles at all times. Race cars do move around the site, but you generally hear these, whereas the quads, push-bikes, scooters and Tesla can surprise you.
The Event
The races are running constantly and follow the well-planned race card. You should visit the National Pits in the morning if you want to see and hear the cars getting ready for their races, and the International Pits in the afternoon for the rest of the races. It can also be just as beneficial to do your visits the other way around if looking at car preparation and talking with drivers and mechanics is your thing.
Grandstands are available, both covered and open, to watch the races and big screens with excellent commentary provides the rest of the information. Silverstone radio is also useful when on the grandstands.
Car clubs can have displays ranging from 4 or 5 cars right through to 600+ cars, and people will be more than happy to chat about their cars - especially if you are thinking of buying a particular marque, they can provide that vital information and sign you up for membership.
If already a member, most clubs provide some level of club meeting point and/or refreshments.
This year was very wet and unfortunately the club displays lacked some of the more unusual or valuable cars on display.
Porsche Club GB are probably the largest club, with their own marquee, grandstand and display of rare and sought-after cars.
Ferrari always put on a great display and their display parking is second to none.
The Lotus exhibits looked great and the owners were lovely to chat with.
I could go on with the clubs as around 150 were there.
You do get to see some of the new cars from Tesla, Alfa Romeo etc. but my personal best was the 50th anniversary Nissan GT-R which looked fantastic. Nissan have done a great job on this special and limited edition car. They haven’t just got new badges for the anniversary, but a complete re-design and they are making just 50 of these being made.
The races are running constantly and follow the well-planned race card. You should visit the National Pits in the morning if you want to see and hear the cars getting ready for their races, and the International Pits in the afternoon for the rest of the races. It can also be just as beneficial to do your visits the other way around if looking at car preparation and talking with drivers and mechanics is your thing.
Grandstands are available, both covered and open, to watch the races and big screens with excellent commentary provides the rest of the information. Silverstone radio is also useful when on the grandstands.
Car clubs can have displays ranging from 4 or 5 cars right through to 600+ cars, and people will be more than happy to chat about their cars - especially if you are thinking of buying a particular marque, they can provide that vital information and sign you up for membership.
If already a member, most clubs provide some level of club meeting point and/or refreshments.
This year was very wet and unfortunately the club displays lacked some of the more unusual or valuable cars on display.
Porsche Club GB are probably the largest club, with their own marquee, grandstand and display of rare and sought-after cars.
Ferrari always put on a great display and their display parking is second to none.
The Lotus exhibits looked great and the owners were lovely to chat with.
I could go on with the clubs as around 150 were there.
You do get to see some of the new cars from Tesla, Alfa Romeo etc. but my personal best was the 50th anniversary Nissan GT-R which looked fantastic. Nissan have done a great job on this special and limited edition car. They haven’t just got new badges for the anniversary, but a complete re-design and they are making just 50 of these being made.
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Food
Food and drink is available all over the site, with the main eating area near the fun fair. Prices are what you’d expect for a normal event and you are not restricted from bringing your own. A full range of different foods are available, including many vegan and vegetarian dishes.
We had a meal at the Pie & Piston Café which cost £22 for two and included a drink. It was very good and came in a tray made from veg which composts down in a short time. (The meal was Chicken Curry and bottle of Fanta, and a Dirty Rice and bottle of Dr. Pepper).
Food and drink is available all over the site, with the main eating area near the fun fair. Prices are what you’d expect for a normal event and you are not restricted from bringing your own. A full range of different foods are available, including many vegan and vegetarian dishes.
We had a meal at the Pie & Piston Café which cost £22 for two and included a drink. It was very good and came in a tray made from veg which composts down in a short time. (The meal was Chicken Curry and bottle of Fanta, and a Dirty Rice and bottle of Dr. Pepper).
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It was a pity for the vendors on Sunday, that due to all the rain Saturday, many visitors had stayed away and the food area was deserted just before lunch, whereas on previous years, it has been a hive of activity.
You can get to see Mike Brewer’s car clinic and meet Mike who is a big part of the event and is happy to chat and have photos taken with fans.
Near the food area is the retail centre which consists of stalls selling everything from shoes to paintings, and from cars to insurance. Lots of great quality goods and gift ideas for the family and well worth a visit.
You can talk restoration, kit cars or bikes and spend a lovely (when it’s fine) few hours around this area. The kids and adults can also enjoy themselves on the free vintage fun fair.
You can get to see Mike Brewer’s car clinic and meet Mike who is a big part of the event and is happy to chat and have photos taken with fans.
Near the food area is the retail centre which consists of stalls selling everything from shoes to paintings, and from cars to insurance. Lots of great quality goods and gift ideas for the family and well worth a visit.
You can talk restoration, kit cars or bikes and spend a lovely (when it’s fine) few hours around this area. The kids and adults can also enjoy themselves on the free vintage fun fair.
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Live Stage.
The live stage presents one group each lunchtime and three on Friday and Saturday night, with this year’s theme of Woodstock.
We watched the groups in the evening, and although the weather wasn’t at its best, attendance was good and the groups provided good sing along entertainment. Saturday night was spoilt a little with several really drunk people who could hardly stand, and I noticed quite a number of family groups that left quickly. We also left after getting knocked about and it’s such a pity people can’t enjoy themselves without becoming a nuisance to others.
The Live Stage is on hard standing, although made from rough stones, and if you need to sit, it is advisable to bring your fold up chairs. Many people chose to sit on the grass near the food stalls and beer bars, although the rain on Saturday put a stop to that.
The live stage presents one group each lunchtime and three on Friday and Saturday night, with this year’s theme of Woodstock.
We watched the groups in the evening, and although the weather wasn’t at its best, attendance was good and the groups provided good sing along entertainment. Saturday night was spoilt a little with several really drunk people who could hardly stand, and I noticed quite a number of family groups that left quickly. We also left after getting knocked about and it’s such a pity people can’t enjoy themselves without becoming a nuisance to others.
The Live Stage is on hard standing, although made from rough stones, and if you need to sit, it is advisable to bring your fold up chairs. Many people chose to sit on the grass near the food stalls and beer bars, although the rain on Saturday put a stop to that.
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What else is at the event.
Other attractions near the main entrance are stunt and drag race shows which run each day and include some interesting cars and a lot of noise and excitement
The bike area and demo laps were presented by Racing Legends, and Motorcycle Stars of the 80s were there to meet the fans, including Steve Parish who was available to sign copies of his new book at the show.
The show featured several car and car club anniversaries, and these had the opportunity for members to take their pride and joy on club celebration laps around the circuit.
Other attractions near the main entrance are stunt and drag race shows which run each day and include some interesting cars and a lot of noise and excitement
The bike area and demo laps were presented by Racing Legends, and Motorcycle Stars of the 80s were there to meet the fans, including Steve Parish who was available to sign copies of his new book at the show.
The show featured several car and car club anniversaries, and these had the opportunity for members to take their pride and joy on club celebration laps around the circuit.
The Cars
Lots of early Bentley and Aston Martin put on a great show in the Pre-War Sports Cars race, but these two Talbot AV105s caught our eye.
Lots of early Bentley and Aston Martin put on a great show in the Pre-War Sports Cars race, but these two Talbot AV105s caught our eye.
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This Ferrari 250GT Breadvan is rare and worth a fortune, but put in a great show in the rain to come in second.
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Supercars on display at the International Paddock included several hypercars like the Pagani Huayra and Zonda, but also included a few supercars from the past, like the De Tomaso
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The star for me was the Brabham BT62 which we particularly liked, even if just a track day car.
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Down at the International pits, you could find Ford GT40s, F1 cars, Lotus Cortinas and Ford Galaxy 500s. What a mix, and it was great to talk to people about their cars and teams.
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Conclusion
Great weekend at one of the top classic events in the world, although a little damp this year for some. The racing never stopped but Sunday was a little subdued.
If you are only going for one day, then Saturday is going to be the one to pick, as you get 15½ hours of fantastic entertainment for £69 each and the car club turn out is excellent.
The best value tickets are the Family tickets - for two adults and two kids at £338 which includes camping.
The VIP packages are also worth taking a look at, with good internal transport, viewing and food/drink all day. They start at £164 for Friday at the Clubhouse near the National Paddock, and go up to £359 for Saturday at the International Paddock, Parc Ferme. The food at these venues look excellent and if you work out what it will cost you for a ticket, food and drink, then it’s quite a package if looking for a special day out.
Don’t forget your ear protection, we noticed so many people, and especially kids, without. These cars are very loud and can damage your hearing.
What to take with you.
Food, Water, Ear Plugs, Sun Screen, Umbrella (it rains sometimes).
Great weekend at one of the top classic events in the world, although a little damp this year for some. The racing never stopped but Sunday was a little subdued.
If you are only going for one day, then Saturday is going to be the one to pick, as you get 15½ hours of fantastic entertainment for £69 each and the car club turn out is excellent.
The best value tickets are the Family tickets - for two adults and two kids at £338 which includes camping.
The VIP packages are also worth taking a look at, with good internal transport, viewing and food/drink all day. They start at £164 for Friday at the Clubhouse near the National Paddock, and go up to £359 for Saturday at the International Paddock, Parc Ferme. The food at these venues look excellent and if you work out what it will cost you for a ticket, food and drink, then it’s quite a package if looking for a special day out.
Don’t forget your ear protection, we noticed so many people, and especially kids, without. These cars are very loud and can damage your hearing.
What to take with you.
Food, Water, Ear Plugs, Sun Screen, Umbrella (it rains sometimes).
Drag racing demo's throughout the weekend
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