Classic crowd figures up

The new promoter of the Silverstone Classic has declared the 2010 event a success and is already working on the race line-up for 2011. Crowd figures were up this year by 10 per cent over ’09, with a total audience of 73,000.

Event promoter and HGPCA racer Nick Wigley, who took over control of the event in the final run-up to this year’s Classic, said that changes to the race line-up were likely for 2011. “We have been approached by several major historic racing championships that were not competing this year, all eager to be part of the show in 2011,” he added.

Although many grids were full, several smaller grids ran in July and Wigley is keen to see as many capacity grids as possible on the Historic Grand Prix circuit.

“We are also keen to broaden the family appeal with enhanced live music as well as an expanded celebrity race,” said Wigley, as he announced a provisional date for 2011 of July 22-24.

This year’s event featured the historic racing debuts of touring car stars Paul Radisich and Mike Jordan, both in Lotus Cortinas in the U2TC series. Radisich was invited to share several cars with fellow Kiwi Roger Wills, while Jordan shared the car of Philip Walker and bagged a podium finish.

On the downside, the new pitwall at Club claimed several victims. Carlos Monteverde spent a night in hospital after clouting the wall in his Jaguar E-type, while Simon Hadfield damaged the Lola T70Mk3B of Leo Voyazides when clipped by another car.