Coys historic festival plans aim to draw F1 stars

As exclusively revealed in Motor Sport, 50 years of the World Championship will be showcased at this year’s Coys International Historic Festival at Silverstone. Following the British Grand Prix’s move to Easter Sunday, April 23, the circuit’s second biggest fixture will run on July 21-23.

The meeting comes forward a week to split the Austrian and German GPs, raising hopes that a record number of current F1 drivers might accept invitations to drive. Among the cars expected is a sister Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta to that of ‘Nino’ Farina’s inaugural World Championship race winner at Silverstone in 1950. Owned by Carlo Vogele, it was previously a crowd-pleaser at the event in Willie Green’s hands (below).

Missing from the Coys lineup this season, however, is the Shell Historic Ferrari-Maserati Challenge which has enjoyed two races in recent years. Paris-based promoter Peter Auto has instead secured a race at Le Mans to precede the 24 Hours on Saturday, June 17. MP