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This month's Silverstone Classic that takes place between 20-22 July, is already another record breaker having attracted an unprecedented number of entries for its history-making Formula Junior races.
The special Silverstone showdowns are the fitting finale to an amazing three-year Formula Junior Diamond Jubilee World Tour celebrating the globally popular category’s 60th anniversary, and they have attracted an incredible entry featuring no fewer than 118 cars – the largest gathering of Formula Junior racers ever assembled anywhere on Earth.
Spanning across the globe
The massive World Tour kicked off in South Africa in January 2016. Since then, anniversary races have been staged in New Zealand, Australia, North America and throughout Europe with visits to many famous circuits such as Pau, Monza, Spa, Indianapolis, Mosport, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen and Zandvoort.
READ: Senna, Button, Hill... 100 F1 cars to honour 70 years of Silverstone Grands Prix
Now, after more than 100 races across four continents, the outstanding World Tour reaches its thrilling conclusion at the Silverstone Classic with a world record turn-out.
To accommodate the extraordinary turn-out, grids have been split into front- and rear-engined categories, with individual races for both groupings on Saturday and Sunday. Each race will feature 54 starters, and the presence of 10 reserves will guarantee capacity fields on both days.
"For three years, travelling to 13 countries and now racing at our 30th circuit for the Silverstone Classic, the Formula Junior Diamond Jubilee World Tour has been truly the most fabulous experience,"
Something special
"Amongst what makes Formula Junior so special and unique is the sheer number of different makes of car represented and, in our unrivaled Silverstone Classic entry, we have no less than 33 marques, as well as 13 nationalities of driver," confirmed Duncan Rabagliati, Chairman of the Formula Junior Historic Racing Association, the brains and energy behind the international Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The brainchild of Italian Count 'Johnny' Lurani, Formula Junior was introduced in 1958 as an affordable stepping-stone for young drivers with their sights set on reaching Formula 1.
Image: Newspress
The concept of a small, single-seater chassis powered by a 1.0 or 1.1-litre production engine became an instant hit, with hundreds and hundreds of cars competing all over the planet.
Underlining the talent nurtured, the four record-breaking grids at the Classic are dedicated to a quartet of legendary F1 World Champions – Jim Clark OBE, John Surtees CBE, Denny Hulme OBE and Jochen Rindt – all of whom cut their competitive teeth racing these mini Grand Prix cars back in the late fifties and early sixties.
Image: Newspress
"As the world’s biggest classic motoring racing festival, the Silverstone Classic is no stranger to setting new world records and we’re thrilled that these unprecedented numbers of Formula Juniors are adding to the Classic’s astonishing roll of honour,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director.
"What’s more, the fiercely-fought Formula Junior encounters are always among some of the most exciting on the racecard. Now, with more than 50 cars slipstreaming each other as they dice around the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, we are all going to be treated to some truly spectacular action as these incredible Diamond Jubilee celebrations scale new heights."
Image: Newspress
Fans wishing to experience the world’s biggest ever gathering of Formula Junior cars must buy their tickets in advance. Adult admission is priced from just £45 and, once again, all advance tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, open trackside grandstands, live music concerts on the Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.
