The Silverstone Classic this year was a great success with 80,000 spectators and the exciting news for the July 2012 Silverstone Classic is that it is now “powered by the AA”. We will soon announce the many new ideas that the AA will incorporate but immediately there is a 10% discount off prevailing ticket prices for all AA Customers via the event website.

We have plans for many new elements for the 3 day festival and here are the details we can tell you now.

The racing will be very dynamic with new grids featuring the formidable F5000/F2 cars, very close racing from Touring cars from the 70s-90s era plus the return of the mighty Group C cars as well as over 100 F1 Grand Prix cars and charismatic sports and GT car grids. A feast of action for the historic racing enthusiast.

1962 was a very innovative year for car design and 50 years later we celebrate the anniversary of the MGB, AC Cobra, Lotus Elan, Triumph Spitfire & Ford Cortina. In particular the Cobra celebrations will be the official gathering for all AC Cobra and derivative owners. Expect to see 500 of them in a track parade as well as battling with the Ferraris and Jaguars in races.

There are special celebrations too for the Ferrari F40, Maserati Merak, TVR Car Club, Mercedes Benz Club, Marcus Owners Club, Renault Owners & the Chevy Camaro. Another new attraction is the BMW ‘Z’ Fest being staged for the first time in the UK.

Last year over 7,000 classic cars were displayed over the weekend so there will be lots to see. If you own a classic car then there are special car club display packages for you to display your car on the in-field.

Live rock music remains a major part of the fun and is included in the ticket price. We have top acts on both Friday and Saturday nights Mike and The Mechanics with support bands will feature on Friday 20^th July plus Adam Ant and support bands on Saturday 21^st.

This year many people made it a 2 or 3 day stay and to help people make the most of the 3 day festival we are introducing a range of overnight accommodation choices. These range from the high tech ‘Snooze Box’ to Glamping or the massive Woodlands campsite next to the circuit.

Those of you who like to visit the many retailers and exhibitors who support the event will not be disappointed with over 160 exhibitors in the Retail Village with a huge range of products from antiques and autojumble to vehicles and vintage clothing. Add to this the traditional Fun Fair, Air Displays and many demonstrations and you will have flat out fun all day.

The new ‘Wing’ building at the International pits is a spectacular structure and will host the Silverstone Auctions sale of classic cars and memorabilia again in 2012. Another popular aspect of the Wing is its superb VIP hospitality facilities providing the opportunity for over 1200 guests to be part of the action overlooking the start/finish line and might be the ideal venue for your family, friends or business entertaining next year.

After the 2011 event many of you completed an on-line questionnaire with very helpful feedback particularly commenting on the much larger layout of the circuit. The Silverstone Classic was the first event to incorporate the new Wing complex with many valuable lessons learned. There will be enhanced transfers between the North and South of the circuit with double the number of historic buses running. There will be extra car parks opened with more access roads into Silverstone and  these measures together with a streamlined ticket checking system will enhance your experience.

The Silverstone Classic Racing Club membership is available for enthusiasts to get more involved with the event and it provides many exclusive benefits.

According to forecasts the temperature is likely to be comfortably above freezing and that will make working in the garages or spectating much more enjoyable. It also means that after missing 2010 due to ice, the bikes should be on track this year putting on some spectacular racing.

When it is not bikes on track the cars will be racing hard for the Christmas honours at what is widely acknowledged as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable race meetings of the year.

The beautiful landscaped grounds of Mallory Park allow visitors to enjoy a walk around the picturesque lakes, with the added benefit of helping to burn off some of the Christmas calories.

Mallory Park General Manager John Ward said: “Compared to last year the weather is positively warm and it is looking good for the Boxing Day Racing. Whether you are taking part or watching the racing, it’s a great way to spend time and get out after eating too much Christmas Turkey – especially if you are craving car or bike racing action.”

Tickets cost a bargain £13 on the gate with under 16s going free with paying adults. There is a test day on Wednesday 21st December for the competitors.

Development of the Masterplan for Silverstone Circuit will realise the potential of this iconic international centre of the motor sport industry, and further strengthen its position as not only the home of the Formula 1™ British Grand Prix, but also one of Britain’s most important assets in the high performance engineering sector.

The development of Silverstone will create around 8,400 permanent jobs with firms and activities attracted to the site, plus an average of around 550 construction jobs per annum throughout the development phase. At least 4,800 of these jobs are likely to be entirely new to the area.

Approval of the Masterplan conforms with the Silverstone Development Brief, issued in February 2009, and comprises:

• Business park (maximum 122,519 sqm; use classes B1, B2 and B8)
• Technology park (maximum 62,662 sqm, use classes B1, B2 and B8)
• Education campus (maximum 34,658 sqm; use classes D1 and C2)
• Three hotels (maximum 39,847 sqm; use class C1)
• Ancillary retail and spectator facilities, including ‘Welcome Centre’ and ‘Museum of Motor sport’ (maximum 61,964 sqm; use class D2), with promotional and experiential automotive display space (maximum 18,600 sqm)
• Improved leisure and event spaces, including a kart track and outdoor stage (maximum 65,075 sqm; use class D2)
• Other ancillary development, including landscape works, grandstands, hardstanding and support paddock, bridge and tunnel to improve pedestrian flows, a new point of access, supporting infrastructure and demolition

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Holdings Ltd, said: “We are delighted with the outcome and approval of this planning application – this is the most important initiative that Silverstone has taken in its 60 year history as the Home of British Motor Racing. This planning will help maintain Silverstone’s position as a leading global centre for sport, leisure, education and technology and retain its position as a world-leading motor sport destination. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both Aylesbury Vale and South Northamptonshire Councils, for the way in which the two planning authorities have worked together on this application.”

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We have looked carefully at this application which will set a long-term context for the development of the circuit. The council’s strategic development control committee carefully balanced the economic benefits, including the likelihood of 4,800 jobs, with the transport and environmental impacts and reached a unanimous conclusion that they should support the scheme. We fully recognise the importance of Silverstone to the local, regional and national economy and are proud to have the circuit within Aylesbury Vale.”

Councillor Mary Clarke, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council, said: “Approval of this Masterplan, which secures major international investment in the future of Silverstone Circuit, is a key strategic decision for this country. Development around Silverstone race circuit will now continue at-a-pace, despite the continued economic downturn. Having Silverstone circuit within South Northamptonshire is a source of great pride for us and this is fantastic news for the economy, not just for South Northamptonshire but regionally and nationally. The investment in the high-technology sites, as part of the overall development, will also provide opportunities for secondary suppliers and other companies located in the district to benefit from this emerging centre of engineering excellence.”

Andrea Leadsom, MP for South Northamptonshire, said: “This development will be good news both for Northamptonshire and for Britain.  The fulfilment of the Masterplan will promote Silverstone as a world-leader in the motor sport industry, and will also deliver economic growth and jobs to the local area in the high-performance engineering sector, for which we have an international reputation. I look forward to supporting Silverstone as their plans develop in the coming years.”

A full copy of the planning application is available at: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/track/Latest-Developments/

* The planning approval is subject to conclusion of a section 106 agreement, which is normal for a Masterplan of this size.

2012 will be the 20th year of this iconic event which mixes challenging roads, sightseeing and motor sport venues old and new and will take place from 24 September to 2 October.

The provisional route is scheduled to start from Leon in Spain, having arrived on the overnight ferry into Santander, and will travel through Spain and France before before culminating in Tours, France. Highlights of the run are anticipated to include visits to the Jarama, Albi and Magny Cours Circuits, a checkpoint in Salamanca and a full rest day in Madrid.

Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS) commented: “As always, we have listened carefully to the feedback from the participants on our 2011 event and are incorporating as much as possible to offer a truly spectacular route for 2012, including the return of some stunning town centre and overnight halt locations. We intend that the 20th anniversary MSA Euroclassic will be truly be one to remember!”

Regulations and entry forms are expected to be available from early February. Visit www.euro-classic.co.uk for regular updates to this information.

The multi-year partnership with the UK’s leading breakdown service has significant benefits and synergies and is a logical union between two brands that share a common interest in motoring past, present and future.
Staged at the home of the British Grand Prix, the annual Silverstone Classic is already established as one of the country’s premier automotive attractions. The event has wide family appeal and its central England location together with Silverstone’s long sporting pedigree and state-of-the-art facilities make it the ideal venue for show-goers of all generations. In 2011 more than 80,000 people attended the three-day summer festival savouring the very best of historic racing, huge displays of classic cars, a retail village, air displays, fun fair and live music from classic rock bands.
Now the partnership with the AA will not only open up the event to a huge new audience but also add a completely new dimension to what’s already a spectacular and action-packed festival. The 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA (20-22 July) will feature a significant AA attraction centred around Silverstone’s in-field Stowe Circuit based close to the venue’s impressive new Wing pits and paddock complex. The event will be promoted directly to the AA’s 15 million members and customers who will benefit from a10 percent discount on day and weekend entrance tickets.
“We are delighted to be teaming up with the AA in what’s a massively significant new partnership,” confirmed Nick Wigley, Event Director of the Silverstone Classic. “Together we are introducing many more new and interesting innovations right across the festival weekend – not least the chance for visitors to test drive many of the latest models right at the heart of the show. The millions of AA members will also enjoy a wide range of exclusive offers including ticket discounts. We aim to make the Silverstone Classic powered by the AA the biggest and most enjoyable event of any kind in the UK with the focus on classic motor sport, motoring and live music – a must-see event on every family’s summer calendar.”
Edmund King, President of the AA, is equally enthused by this inspiring new venture. He said: “This new partnership is a really exciting opportunity for the AA and our members. We are always looking at innovative ways to add value to AA membership and we believe this event offers a great value day out and the chance to experience a wonderful summer festival for all the family.”
The event organisers have confirmed many of next year’s major attractions. The on-track entertainment will showcase the full spectrum of historic motor sport with huge grids featuring an amazing array of Grand Prix, GT, Le Mans, single-seaters, sports and touring cars spanning more than seven decades of epic circuit racing history. Following the classic theme the 2012 live music bill will be topped by Adam Ant and Mike and the Mechanics with other high-profile acts to be confirmed.
Full details of the 2012 Silverstone Classic powered by the AA – including information on ‘Early Bird’ ticket offers and a comprehensive selection of on-site camping facilities – are available via the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

Firmly established as the World’s biggest classic motor racing festival, next summer’s three-day Silverstone Classic will build further upon the huge success of this summer’s record-breaking event which attracted a massive crowd of more than 80,000.
The on-track entertainment will showcase the full spectrum of historic motor sport with huge grids featuring an amazing array of Grand Prix, GT, Le Mans, single-seaters, sports and touring cars spanning more than seven decades of epic circuit racing history.
The unrivalled race programme will be enhanced by an even greater variety of family entertainment than ever before. More than 120 car clubs will be displaying in excess of 7000 classic road cars many marking significant milestones in their marque’s respective ancestry.
Adding to the high octane, three-day festival atmosphere, the very best of classic rock and pop bands will perform live on both Friday and Saturday evenings. A host of other live music attractions will appear over the weekend, too, as the ever-evolving event expands its ‘Rocking and Racing’ reputation.
With more and more Silverstone Classic visitors staying on site at Silverstone to savour the massive on- and off-track entertainment package – and also take full advantage of discounted three-day and weekend tickets – an even more comprehensive choice of ‘glamping’ and camping options are now available for 2012.
“Our special multi-day tickets and hugely popular ‘access all areas’ policy offers exceptional value for money,” said Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic Event Director. “Tickets not only provide free access to car parking, grandstand seats, air displays, fun fair and both Silverstone paddocks allowing festival goers to rub shoulders with drivers and see the amazing collection of classic competition cars up close, but they also include admission to all the live music concerts in the evenings. Taking that into account it’s no surprise that so many more of those coming to the Silverstone Classic are adopting a Glastonbury-style approach and staying for the full three-day rocking and racing experience.”
To cater for the Silverstone Classic’s spiralling appeal and popularity, a wide range of new and improved logistics and infrastructure have also been implemented in advance of next summer’s festival. These include better access to the venue as well as a significant increase in the number of buses transporting show-goers around the various attractions and between the two race paddocks.

THE FULL SPECTRUM OF CLASSIC RACING ACTION
Boasting more than 1100 entries, the 2011 Silverstone Classic is believed to be the biggest race meeting ever staged in international motor sport history. To house such an unprecedented number of the world’s finest historic racing cars both Silverstone’s new Wing and National pit and paddock complexes were fully utilised. With perhaps an even greater number of entries predicted next summer, the full Silverstone facility again will be in operation come the 2012 Silverstone Classic.
Although the full line-up of races is still to be announced, a number of grids have been confirmed. These include the full gamut of Grand Prix cars from the dawn of front-engined Formula One in the 1920s and 1930s right up to the DFV rear-engined generation of F1 cars from the 1980s. Evocative sportscars that have contested the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours will be out in force, too, with packed grids starring many of the Gallic endurance classic’s most prized racers ranging from the celebrated Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguars of the 1950s and 1960s up to the powerful turbocharged Group C prototypes of the 1980s and 1990s.
Two of 2011’s highlights also return. Back in July, full 58-car grids of Historic Formula Junior and Under 2-Litre Touring Cars wowed the crowds with some spectacularly close racing and both are back by popular demand… as is a special star-studded celebrity challenge raising much-needed funds for selected charities.
The full list of races will be confirmed shortly.

CAR CLUB CELEBRATIONS AND DISPLAYS
The 2011 Silverstone Classic broke many records, but the biggest accolade for the event came after Guinness World Records confirmed that an official new record was set for the ‘largest parade of Jaguar cars’ when 767 E-type Jaguars took part in a special lap of the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit to mark the golden anniversary of Britain’s best-loved sportscar.
In total, there were more than 1000 E-types on show at Silverstone celebrating the model’s 50th birthday in spectacular style and many similar milestones will be honoured in 2012. Notable landmarks include 50th birthday parties for the MGB, Triumph Spitfire, AC Cobra and Ford Cortina as well as for the TVR Car Club, plus the silver anniversary of the fearsome Ferrari F40.
With more than 120 car clubs all planning dedicated displays, more than 7000 classic cars will be packed into Silverstone for another staggering power show.
Full details of these and other special celebrations will be announced soon.

LIVE MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Following in the wheel tracks of music legends such as Carlos Santana, The Yardbirds, Wishbone Ash, 10cc and Suzi Quatro, the 2012 live music line-up will feature the very best of classic rock and pop bands. Next year’s bill will be topped by Adam Ant and Mike and the Mechanics with other high-profile acts to be confirmed.
Adam Ant and the Ants dominated the UK charts with a series of hit singles and subsequent albums in the early 1980s with the band’s second album ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ charting for 66 consecutive weeks including 12 weeks at number one. Adam Ant is now back with a new band and has recently completed a sell-out UK tour and supported Rod Stewart at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London’s Hyde Park.
Originally set up as a side project by Mike Rutherford, a founding member of Genesis one of the most successful groups of all time, Mike and the Mechanics also enjoyed Top Ten hit singles in the 1980s. The current band includes Andrew Roachford – a man who enjoyed his own major chart successes in the 1990s.

FULL THREE-DAY FESTIVAL 
With an increasing number of Silverstone Classic visitors taking advantage of special multi-day ticket offers and turning the three-day event into a pop-style festival, a more comprehensive choice of on-site camping and ‘glamping’ options is now available. These range from tent pitches on the fully serviced circuit-side Woodlands Campsite to unique Snoozebox accommodation set right in the heart of the action. The latter provides modern and stylish rooms complete with flat screen television, double bed, free WiFi and air conditioning.
Full information on Snoozebox and all the other camping options is available on the event’s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

2012 TICKET PRICES
Adult Early Bird General Public Admission* 

Friday – £30 (£40 on the gate)

Saturday – £40 (£50 on the gate)

Sunday – £40 (£50 on the gate)

Friday/Saturday – £60 (£80 on the gate)

Saturday/Sunday – £70 (£90 on the gate)

Friday/Saturday/Sunday – £80 (£110 on the gate)
Children (6-16 years old)

£5 per day

£7.50 for two-day ticket

£10 for three-day ticket
Kids (5 and under)

FREE
* Available until 31 March 2012

Sporting Mazda and Donington branding, the Mazda cars will be used as medical, safety and pace cars on-track and as transport for VIP guests and senior managers off-track. “Donington Park required reliable vehicles with responsive handling, sporty styling and driving performance credentials for use on and off track, attributes which resonate with those of the Mazda range,” comments Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.

As well as demonstrating its products before the public eye on a daily basis, Mazda’s new relationship with Donington Park provides the Japanese brand with track time for testing its new 2012 Mazda MX-5 GT race car, which successfully contested the Britcar Dunlop Production GTN Championship this year, and use of a hospitality suite overlooking the circuit’s first corner at Redgate.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Mazda UK once again, after enjoying a good relationship with the brand in 2008 and 2009. We look forward to promoting the unique benefits of Mazda’s stylish product range to our wider audience in the months ahead,” declares Gemma Toogood, Head of Commercial Sales & Marketing, Donington Park Racing Ltd.

A multi-national Champion in the USA and a product of the MotoGP Academy, who despite being just 18-years of age has a wealth of experience racing in Europe, PJ has raw speed and talent in abundance and is now setting his sights on a full season in World Championship racing.

A racer that likes to spend time with the fans, he is joining PTR Honda – the organisation behind the successful Parkalgar Honda and Bogdanka Honda race teams (runner-up in the World Championship in 2009 and 2010).

PJ will get his first outing on his PTR Honda early in the New Year at a private test in Europe before a further test at Philip Island in Australia ahead of the opening round of the 2012 Championship at the same circuit on 26th February. For more information and to follow PJ and PTR visit www.patrickjacobsen.com or www.performancetechnicalracing.com.

PJ: “I’m very excited about returning to Europe to race in the World Super Sport class with my new team PTR Honda. I have always loved riding Honda’s, and the 600 in particular is a fantastic bike. I know the reputation of PTR and Parkalgar, and I am proud to have the opportunity to ride with such an excellent team on such an incredible bike.

“I feel that the timing of this move is perfect. My experience and training so far have opened up this path for me to follow. But also, I know that in many ways I’ll be starting from the beginning again. There will be new people, new tracks, and new styles. There will be a lot to learn, but I intend to be competitive straightaway. I’ll need to work very hard to achieve success for myself and my team, but I know that I will have the complete support of Simon and the entire team.

“Thanks to everyone on both sides of the Atlantic who made this deal happen. I can’t wait to head over to the UK to begin!”

Simon Buckmaster, PTR Honda Team Manager: “PJ is one of the most exciting and promising racers in the world right now and we are delighted he has joined the PTR family. He’s young but with incredible talent, we cannot wait to work with him in the 2012 World Supersport Championship.”

Martin, 26, from Yeovil in Somerset, is a proven front runner in the British Superbike Championship with a pole position and fourth place finish to his credit while riding for Riders Ducati. He has British Supersport experience and recently finished second at the Macau GP in 2011.

Motorcycle retail chain Riders will continue to back Martin in 2012 as it joins forces with front running British based team PTR Honda – the organisation behind the successful Parkalgar Honda and Bogdanka Honda race teams (runner-up in the World Championship in 2009 and 2010).

Martin will get his first outing on his PTR Honda early in the New Year at a private test in Europe before a further test at Philip Island in Australia ahead of the opening round of the 2012 Championship at the same circuit on 26th February. For more information and to follow Martin and PTR visit www.performancetechnicalracing.com.

Martin: “I am over the moon to have 2012 all sorted. I said at the end of the 2011 season my objective was to get into the World Championship and Supersport was my best opportunity.

“I sat down with my team and Riders and we wanted a squad at the sharp end of the Championship so I would know I had a good bike and proven package. The British Based PTR team was my number one choice and to get a ride with them was brilliant – it’s not often that a racer gets his first choice so I can honestly say I could not be happier.

“There is no expectations at the moment but I will put plenty of pressure on myself as the season approaches. I just need to go testing and complete loads of laps and learn the bike and develop my relationship with the team. It is all new to me and I need to go out there and get up to pace.

“Having a fast team mate like Sam Lowes on the same PTR Honda will be excellent. I enjoyed a bit of craic with Sam at Magny Cours this year when I was a wild card entry and he was helping me out then with some advice and ideas. That’s a big help and a fantastic support from him and the team. I can’t wait to get riding.”

PTR Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster is delighted to have Martin on the team. He said: “Martin has speed, talent and ability. PTR has the team, bike and experience at World Championship level. It is a big step up for Martin but he is determined to be a success and we will do all we can to help him reach his potential.”

Classic Motorshow 2011 video