Ex-Fittipaldi, Regazzoni and Bell cars among what is poised to be world’s biggest F2 grid at this July’s festival

Silverstone Classic is set to play host to the world’s biggest Formula 2 grid in this summer’s event, with no fewer than 55 cars confirmed for its two races.

This year’s running of the famous Silverstone historic racing event will showcase Formula 1, F2 and Formula 3 single-seater races. And interest in the F2 races, which are to take place on the Saturday and Sunday as part of the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC)-run championship, has ensured capacity grids.

The expected record-breaking turn-out now exceeds the circuit’s maximum grid of 54, meaning late entries for the July 26-28 event are being placed on the reserve list.

The entry includes drivers from the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, the USA, the Netherlands and Australia. And in many cases they will drive cars with significant histories, with the grid including the ex-Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus 69, ex-Eddie Cheever and Clay Regazzoni Ralt RT1s, the ex-Wheatcroft Racing Chevron B29, the ex-Derek Bell Brabham BT30 and the ex-Giacomo Agostini Chevron B42.

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More: Silverstone Classic launches three-race Le Mans tribute

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The capacity entry will far surpass any previous grid for a field of Formula 2 and Formula Atlantic single-seaters from the late 1960s and 1970s, including in period.

“Even by our lofty standards this is an incredible turn-out and will be yet another of the spectacular highlights at this summer’s Classic,” said Silverstone Classic CEO Nick Wigley.

“Being fast, fun and comparatively inexpensive, F2 is proving to be a big hit with competitors while the scale of the entry and promise of some terrific racing is sure to win many new fans.”

“Historic Formula 2 is experiencing a massive boom and the grid for the Silverstone Classic is set to smash all records,” added HSCC CEO Andy Dee-Crowne. “The cars look and sound fantastic and to see more than 50 of these cars on one grid will be amazing.”

The F2 races join other attractions lined up for the 2019 Classic, such as what is also expected to be a record-breaking grid of Minis to mark the popular car’s 60th birthday plus large numbers of racing Bentleys and Capris to mark their respective centenary and golden anniversaries.

There also will be a Twilight Tribute to Le Mans with three packed sportscar grids racing into the sunset on Saturday evening.