The BRDC Classic at Silverstone promises to be an exceptional weekend, featuring 21 races, including 15 from the nine Motor Racing Legends grids. Marking the largest event in MRL history, it has attracted more than 300 entries, including up to 50 cars for the Pre-’66 GT Sprint alone. Ten decades of motoring history will be represented on track, from a 1924 Bentley 3/4½ Litre to a 2015 BMW Z4 GT3. The event will also welcome a host of renowned competitors, including Jimmy Broadbent, Zak Brown, Jan Magnussen and Sir Chris Hoy.

2-Litre Sportscars

Launched in June at Brands Hatch, the 2-Litre Sportscars grid continues to grow with every meeting. At Silverstone, 17 cars will line up for the 45-minute race, including several newcomers from Chevron and Lola, along with two lesser-known machines – a Vogue SP2 and a GRD S72.

Spotlight on the #56 GRD S72 (1972)

Although the story of Group Racing Developments (GRD) lasted only four seasons, from 1971 to 1975, the Norfolk-based constructor left its mark on motorsport with victories in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Sport 2000. Its founders were far from novices. Mike Warner, Dave Baldwin, Derek Wild and Gordon Huckle were all former members of Lotus Racing, left without a role following the closure of the customer competition department.

Designed by Swiss engineer Jo Marquart, the GRD S72 stood out for its exceptionally rigid chassis by the standards of its era, a highly effective rear wing and a formidable Ford four-cylinder engine.

Endurance Icons

This new Motor Racing Legends grid features two 60-minute races – the longest of the meeting. It brings together 23 endurance cars from the 2000s, including both prototypes and GTs, among them an Audi R8 and a Bentley Speed 8.

Spotlight on the #8 Cadillac Northstar LMP (2001)

Although they largely dominated endurance racing throughout the 2000s, the two VAG Group brands were not without competition, particularly from Cadillac.

Fast and promising, the Northstar LMPs developed in collaboration with Riley & Scott unfortunately suffered from a lack of development, due in part to General Motors’ dual commitment to both prototype racing and GT competition with Corvette.

The example entered at Silverstone is the third of the seven chassis built. It notably finished sixth at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2000 before going on to place 21st in the 24 Hours of Le Mans later that year, driven by Franck Lagorce, Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace. More recently, it has undergone a meticulous restoration to return it to its 2001-season specification.

GP Icons presented by Goodyear

This new grid features two 20-minute races and welcomes 17 Formula One cars from the 1970s and 1980s, including the McLaren M23 and MP4/1, Williams FW08, Brabham BT49, Tyrrell 012 and Arrows A4/A5.

Spotlight on the #77 McLaren MP4/1B (1982)

Introduced in 1981, it made history as the first Formula One car to feature a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis. Conceived by John Barnard and powered by a Cosworth DFV V8, it also inaugurated the McLaren MP4 lineage, a series that would continue through to 2016.

The chassis number 5 appearing at Silverstone is a “B” version built in 1982 and driven exclusively by John Watson. At the wheel of this car, the Northern Irish driver claimed victory in the inaugural United States Grand Prix held in Detroit. That season, he also secured several podium finishes in Rio, Montreal and Las Vegas, ending the World Championship in third place – the best result of his career.

Historic Touring Car Challenge

The series, featuring two 40-minute races, brings together 31 historic touring cars from the 1970s to the 1990s. Iconic models include the BMW E30 M3, Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, BMW 3.0 CSL and Ford Capri RS2600.

Spotlight on the #88 Rover 3500 SD1 (1980) 

Fifty years ago, on 30 June 1976, Rover unveiled the SD1 (Specialist Division 1), an acronym symbolising the merger of the Rover and Triumph brands within British Leyland. With its five-door hatchback body style, the SD1 combined an elegant silhouette, heavily inspired by the Ferrari Daytona, with remarkable practicality and load-carrying capacity.

From the 1980 season onwards, the increase in the maximum permitted engine capacity for Group 1 regulations allowed the Rover SD1, powered by its 3.5-litre V8, to challenge the formidable Ford Capri 3.0. To develop this competition version, Patrick Motorsport drew upon the expertise of SRG Competitions, based in Biggleswade. One of the three cars built for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will be on track at Silverstone.

At the end of the 1982 season, Group 1 regulations were replaced by Group A, a category in which the SD1’s successor, the Vitesse, would go on to shine by claiming the BTCC title as early as 1984.

Pre-War Sports Cars

Those who think pre-war cars are not spectacular simply have to watch these 32 spirited machines in one of their two 30-minute races. They will quickly understand what “becoming one with your machine” really means.

Spotlight on the #35 Morgan Super Aero (1929)

On 12 July at Charade, Sue Darbyshire achieved the remarkable feat of taking her unusual three-wheeler to victory in a motor race, finishing ahead of Talbots, Bugattis and Bentleys. Less powerful than its rivals but exceptionally aerodynamic, the car is capable of reaching 115 mph.

That victory at the Trophées d’Auvergne was very much a team effort, as Sue’s husband, George, is responsible for preparing the car. “The 1,260 cc JAP twin-cylinder engine is worked very hard because the gearbox has only two ratios,” explains Sue. “When we started racing it many years ago, everyone thought it would be impossible to make it competitive because the engine had a reputation for being fragile. We proved them wrong!”

GT3 Legends

Contested over two 25-minute races, this series brings together 29 first-generation GT3 cars, including the Audi R8 LMS, Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3, Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 and McLaren MP4-12C GT3.

HRDC Top Hat

The 50-minute race reserved for pre-1966 touring cars features a 45-car entry, including Ford Mustangs, Ford Falcons, Lotus Cortinas, Mini Cooper Ss and Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAs.

Pre-’66 GT Sprint

The sole 50-minute race takes place on Saturday evening and attracts 50 entrants, including several Jaguar E-Types, Shelby Cobra Daytonas, Ford Mustang GT350s, Lotus Elan 26Rs, as well as the unique Ferrari 250 GT Breadvan.

Stirling Moss Trophy & Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy

Contested over two 40-minute races, this grid brings together 36 sports cars and GTs from the 1950s, often entered with two drivers. Legendary machines such as the Jaguar D-Type, Lister Jaguar Knobbly, Lotus XV, Aston Martin DB2 and Cooper Monaco are among the headline attractions.

Renowned Drivers

Several well-known figures from the world of motorsport will be competing at Silverstone in the Motor Racing Legends grids.

Jimmy Broadbent (sim racer, commentator, racing driver)
#5 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 (2012) GT3 Legends
#6 Ford Mustang (1965) HRDC Top Hat
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Zak Brown (Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing)
#51 Ferrari 458 GT2 (2011) Endurance Icons
#27 McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (2012) GT3 Legends
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Alex Brundle (driver)
#6 Lola T292 (1975) 2-Litre Sportscars
#6 Ford Mustang (1965) HRDC Top Hat
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Marino Franchitti (driver)
#32 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (2013) GT3 Legends

Jake Hill (driver)
#23 Nissan GT-R (2011) Endurance Icons
#26 Ford Mustang (1965) HRDC Top Hat

­Sir Chris Hoy (6x Olympic Champion Track Cyclist and racing driver)
#1 Ford Falcon (1965) HRDC Top Hat
#6 Lola T292 (1975) 2-Litre Sportscars

­Jan Magnussen (driver)
#70 Lola T292 (1973) 2-Litre Sportscars

Mike Newton (driver)
#25 MG-Lola EX264 (2005) Endurance Icons

Guy Smith (driver)
#711 Ford Mustang (1964) HRDC Top Hat

­Steve Soper (driver)
#5 BMW E30 M3 (1990) Historic Touring Car Challenge

­Darren Turner (driver)
#37 Aston Martin Team Car (1930) Pre-War Sports Cars
#65 Aston Martin DB2 (1950) Stirling Moss Trophy & RAC Woodcote Trophy

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