Well it was the last day of the 2024 Silverstone Festival on Sunday and crowds of spectators were arriving to what turned out to be near perfect weather and a stark change to Saturdays wet affair.

Race 11. The track action got under way at 9am with what would have been the second race for the Historic Formula Junior, had Saturdays race not been cancelled due to bad weather and a waterlogged track. Formula Juniors first raced at Silverstone in August 1959. What started out as just four Elva 100’s back in 1959 soon progressed the following year with a total of 10 races at Silverstone with the likes of Jim Clark in a Team Lotus 18 and john Surtees in a Ken Tyrrell Cooper T52. The two races that were scheduled for this weekend form rounds seven and eight of the Silverline 2024 Championship.

Next out on track was in effect race 12 of the weekend and the much loved F3 Classic Interseries. On a weekend that celebrated the life of the late and great racing legend that is Ayrton Senna, it was only fitting that his generation of Formula 3 racing was on display for all to see. The European series showcases Formula 3 cars from 1974 to 1984.

Race 13. And its time for the BRDC 500 with MRL Pre-War Sports cars. This year there was a massive grid of cars dating back some 80 years. Taking to the track were several well know drivers such as Darren Turner in the 1930 Aston Martin Team car and Charlie Martin in the 1936 Frazer Nash Emeryson.

Race 14. Turning up the pace and its time for the second outing of the F2 Classic Interseries, a new European series comprising Formula 2 cars from the late 60’s to early 80’s.

Race 15. We turn the pace down slightly now with the Royal Automobile Club Historic Tourist Trophy. The grid is made up from some of the most iconic 1960’s GT cars, including such favourites as Jaguar E-type, Lotus Elite, Austin Healey 3000 and Aston Martin DB4.

With a break between races the crowds had now fully descended upon the Silverstone circuit and it was now time for the much anticipated Ayrton Senna Tribute demonstration. Sadly on Saturday the event was curtailed due to the weather and Bruno Senna had been unable to take to the track due to the organisers not having any wets available for the car he was due to drive. Sunday was a different affair and although Bruno Senna was no longer at the circuit the crowds were still treated to a display of two of the cars that Ayrton Senna once drove, the Toleman-Hart TG183B and the Lotus-Renault 97T.

Race 16. The much anticipated Masters Racing Legends Formula One cars from 1966 to 1985 were next on track for their second race of the weekend. The 3 litre F1 cars have appeared on track at the Silverstone Festival and as previous the Silverstone Classic for years and still remain a firm favourite with the spectators.

Race 17. Probably my favourite of the weekend and always a much loved favourite of the crowds at Silverstone is the Masters Endurance Legends, comprising of of LMP1 and LMP2 cars along with GT cars dating from 1995 to 2016.

The weekend concluded with outings for the HGPCA Pre 66 Grand Prix Cars. The Michigan Mustang Celebration trophy (Pre 66 touring Cars) and the International Trophy for Classic GT Cars of which saw Adrian Newey taking to the track in his 1963 Jaguar E-type 3,800cc

The Ebay stage drew probably the biggest crowd of the weekend as spectators stayed on from the days racing to watch Olly Murs take to the stage and help close out the 2024 festival.

We will have an in-depth full review of the Silverstone Festival in the next few days.

The RacerViews info

By Matt Hancock

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