Nigel Mansel to drive at Coys Historic Festival

THe return of the prodigal son, Nigel Mansell, to July’s Coys International Historic Festival will add thousands to the gate at Silverstone, and the 46-year-old plans to reward supporters’ unstinting loyalty with some spirited demonstration laps in his 1992 World Championship-winning Williams-Renault FW 14B.

Mansell, whose British Grand Prix victories at Silverstone in ’87, ’91 and ’92 earned tumultuous receptions from massively partisan fans, will also demonstrate various Formula One cars on the Saturday and Sunday of the three-day spectacular, the theme of which is 50 Years of the World Championship.

“The loyalty of Nigel’s fans is legendary,” said Silverstone Sport director Roger Etcell. “The 1992 Grand Prix attracted the largest crowds ever seen at the circuit, and we’re delighted to be able to offer a unique opportunity to see driver and car again at Silverstone.”

A host of drivers from the five decades have been invited to take part in cavalcades, aboard their most famous mounts. Among them three-times World Champion Jackie Stewart who will be reunited with Tyrrell 003 in which he won the 1971 British GP at Silverstone en route to his second title.

The historic showpiece follows directly after three days of contemporary Formula One testing at the circuit, which will hopefully ensure that some of the current crop of F1 stars stay on to enjoy the atmosphere of Silverstone’s second biggest event of the season. Although the race programme has yet to be finalised, events for Grand Prix cars of the ’50s, ’60s and 70s are promised. Formula Junior, the training ground for so many of the great Formula One drivers of the early ’60s, will also be featured for the first time in several years. This year’s Rallysprint, on the Roger Clark Circuit, showcases the sensational Group B machines of the 1980s. MP