Formula Ford joins bumper classic line-up

The 2013 Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) will pay special homage to Formula Ford, the world’s foremost entry level form of single-seater motor racing and the proving ground of so many future stars.
 
First introduced in 1967, Formula Ford quickly became the first stepping-stone in the early careers of many prospective Formula One drivers. Many would go on to be World Champions from modern day heroes such as Jenson Button, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher to legends from the past including Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell and, of course, the late great Ayrton Senna.
 
Over the past 46 years Silverstone has witnessed hundreds of spectacular Formula Ford showdowns – the circuit’s high-speed layout producing some epic slipstreaming duels between young protagonists. And this summer the Silverstone Classic will recreate some of those memorable battles when, for the very first time, two grids for historic Formula Fords will be among the many highlights at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.
 
“Formula Ford has played such a major role in both global motor sport history and the careers of just about every young racing driver that it’s an obvious addition to what’s already an amazing line-up of races at the Silverstone Classic spanning the full motor sport spectrum,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director. “What’s more it’s going to be another real crowd-pleaser with lots of incredible wheel-to-wheel action – something for which Formula Ford racing has always been renowned.”
 
The news is not only another major boost both for the Classic but also for the Historic Sports Car Club’s category for pre ’72 FF1600s, which is already riding a wave of popularity with bumper grids of immaculate cars and fierce competition from a tremendous diversity of drivers. Typically, more than a dozen marques are represented and a grid of more than 40 cars is expected for what should be a pair of unmissable races on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
 
“This is excellent news for Historic Formula Ford, which consistently delivers close and exciting racing,” said Grahame White, CEO of the HSCC. “We are very grateful to Nick Wigley and his team at Goose Communications, Promoters of the Classic, for making this possible.”
 
For those wanting to watch the Formula Ford revival, tickets to the 2013 Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance. Adult admittance is from just £35 (plus fees) and, following the event’s widely acclaimed ‘access all areas’ policy, all tickets include free entrance to racing paddocks, trackside grandstands and all live music concerts. Considerable savings are on offer for festival-goers spending the full action-packed weekend at Silverstone and there are also special packages for car clubs.
 
Full details are available on the official silverstoneclassic.com website.