Twin evening races for Classic

Two very different sports car generations will take star billing on the Saturday evening of this year’s Silverstone Classic (July 20-22). The spectacular Group C evening race will be repeated, and for the first time the Pre-56 sports cars in the Woodcote Trophy will race in twilight as part of the packed 24-race programme.

After the runaway success of last year’s evening Group C race, the Le Mans cars of the 1980s will again wrap up Saturday’s programme with a sprint race that begins at 8.35pm. The half-hour race will run past sunset and should create a fabulous spectacle. The Woodcote Trophy race also lasts 30 minutes and starts at 7.45pm.

During the three-day event, two of the biggest names from British motor racing will be on hand. Nigel Mansell will attend on Friday to open the event’s AA World before presenting a report on young driver safety. Mansell, 58, will be returning to the scene of three of his victories, in the British Grands Prix of 1987, 1991 and 1992. Sports car great

Derek Bell will attend on Saturday to meet fans and sign autographs.

“Both Nigel and Derek are true motor sport giants and we are honoured that both will be joining us at this year’s Silverstone Classic,” said event director Nick Wigley.