The annual Silverstone Classic is already host to a spectacular array of historic racing action, and for 2019 Le Mans racing legend Tom Kristensen will be adding to the excitement—he’s just announced three sportscar showdowns that will take place on Saturday evening under the ‘Twilight Tribute to Le Mans’ banner. This special homage to the world’s most iconic 24-hour endurance race will feature 150 cars spanning almost a century of racing, drawn from the Bentley Centenary Trophy for Pre-War Sports Cars, FIA Masters Historic Sports Cars and Masters Endurance Legends.
To recreate that special Le Mans magic at Silverstone, all three races will see the cars racing into the sunset in a mini-enduro format, with mid-race pit-stops for driver changes. “It’s going to be an absolutely amazing evening and a real crowd-pleaser,” predicts Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO. “The three races cover almost the entire history of Le Mans from the original ‘Bentley Boys’ right up to the current generation of hi-tech Peugeot and Aston Martin purpose-built prototypes. Watching them all race into the twilight will be very special for everybody attending the Classic this summer—and to have Tom Kristensen’s blessing is the icing on the cake!” The Bentley Centenary Trophy for Pre-War Sports Cars will be celebrating both the company’s 100th birthday with a record entry of Bentleys from the 1920s and 1930s and showcasing a variety of period Aston Martins, Alfa Romeos, Bugattis, Lagondas and MGs.
Kristensen himself was part of the winning team that Bentley fielded in its inspiring 2003 comeback and he has won the epic race eight times with Audi, earning himself the nickname ‘Mr Le Mans’. He is looking forward to what will undoubtedly be an exciting event for both spectators and competitors alike. “It will be a real highlight of this summer’s Silverstone Classic to see these cars driving into the dusk—that’s when the race truly starts at Le Mans,” says Tom. “For me, the UK is very much the center of motorsport—and Silverstone is at the heart of it all.”
Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the Silverstone Classic website.
Images courtesy of Silverstone Classic
