Famous faces gear up for Silverstone Classic

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart is just one of the famous faces gearing up for this year’s Silverstone Classic in July. The 76-year-old star who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the iconic Star Trek sci-fi series has just passed his official racing driver test at the Silverstone Motorsport Academy.

He is now ready to compete in a special Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race taking place at event over the weekend of July 28-30. ‘It was a lot of fun,’ said Sir Patrick, who passed both written and driving tests required to obtain an MSA competition licence at Silverstone. ‘For someone who has followed motor racing since being a teenager, to drive around Silverstone and negotiate such legendary corners as Becketts and Stowe is just such a thrill.’

Other famous faces lining-up on the star-studded grid alongside Stewart OBE, include Olympic gold medalists Mark Hunter MBE, Jason Kenny CBE, Greg Searle MBE, Jonny Searle MBE and Amy Williams MBE. Bike racing world champions Wayne Gardner and Freddie Spencer will also be in action, as will former England test cricket captain Mike Gatting OBE.

Also on track will be Dragon’s Den TV star Theo Paphitis, former Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell, Wheeler Dealer’s Ant Anstead and adventurer Charley Boorman as well as a host of other famous faces from sport, film and television. All be helping to raise funds and awareness for the event's official charity partner Prostate Cancer UK.

The celebrities will be racing competition-prepared Austin A30 and A35 saloons, harking back to the late 1950s. The race programme will be split into two parts. Owners of the charismatic Austins will qualify on Friday and race on Sunday with the celebrities in action on Saturday.

The cars are well-known in classic racing circles and were introduced a few years ago by the Historic Racing Drivers Club (HRDC) as a cost-effective route into historic racing.

Tickets for the event must be bought in advance. Adult admission starts at £43. All tickets provide access to racing paddocks, trackside grandstand seating, live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday, vintage funfair rides, air shows, car club displays as well as a host of other family-friendly demonstrations, activities and entertainment.

For full ticket details, visit: silverstoneclassic.com