Thirty-five years since the first Silverstone Classic, the final Silverstone Festival was an absolute riot—three cracking days packed with wheel-to-wheel racing and more entertainment than you can shake a gearstick at. Things revved up early Friday morning with the Formula Juniors qualifying and from then on, the weekend was a full throttle blur of sights and sounds. Whether you fancied wandering around snapping moody car shots or just soaking up that buzzing festival vibe, there was never a dull moment—and honestly, who wants to rush when there’s so much motoring magic to enjoy?

Formula One

This year was nothing short of extraordinary—seventy-five years since Silverstone ignited the spirit of Formula One with its inaugural Championship race. Imagine the thrill as Guiseppe Nino Farina blazed across the finish line in an Alfa Romeo 158, paving the way for decades of legends and unforgettable moments.

To honour this spectacular milestone, the Festival presented a truly inspiring showcase: 34 magnificent cars, each celebrating a World Champion whose determination and courage have shaped the history of F1. These are more than just cars—they’re monuments to ambition, resilience, and progress, each one inviting us all to dream a little bigger and push a little harder.

And the best part? The Festival isn’t just about looking back; it’s about forging ahead and making a difference. This year, it proudly supported Sir Jackie Stewart—a three-time World Champion whose influence extends far beyond the racetrack. Not only is Sir Jackie a symbol of racing excellence, but he’s also leading the charge in the fight against dementia with his charity, “Race Against Dementia.” The Festival stands shoulder to shoulder with him, and so can you. Find out how to get involved and help drive change right here: https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/

Classic Car Anniversaries Celebrated

This year also marked significant milestones for several classic British cars. The Jaguar XJ-S and Lotus Esprit both celebrate 50 years since the commencement of their production, highlighting their enduring legacy and impact on automotive history. In addition, the MG MGA commemorates its 70th anniversary, underscoring its longstanding popularity among enthusiasts.

Club Displays and Parades

The Club member areas were filled with numerous examples of celebrated marques, Porsches, Jaguars, Fords et al, offering attendees a chance chat with owners and fellow enthusiasts.

On Track

The on track action kicked off on the Friday with qualifying for all of the races.

Historic Formula Juniors – Races 1 and 11

Historic Formula Junior started in the mid-fifties as a way for new drivers to prepare for Formula One. These cars look a lot like the Formula One cars of their time. But as their name says, they are smaller, less powerful versions made for learning and competition.

The weekend’s racing began with the Historic Formula Junior race. After drivers qualified on Friday, the races took place on Saturday and Sunday. Roaring Engines filled the air kicking off the festival and bringing the racing action to life.

Race one saw Sam Wilson’s Cooper T59 victorious ahaed of 2 Alex Ames’ Brabham BT6 and Chris Goodwin’s Lotus 22.

Race 2 Horatio Fitz-Simon finally achieved his ambition to win at his home circuit. He didn’t make it easy though. In the first race on Saturday he suffered an “off” and recovered to finish fourth. Making no mistake in Race two, by the first corner he’d leapt up to a first place that he would keep until the finish, beating Sam Wilson and Alex Ames into second and third respectively.

Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy – Race 2

The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy is all about bringing together cars from two memorable eras in racing: before 1956 and before 1961. It’s a great way to see classic cars in action and get a feel for how motorsport has changed over the years.

One of the stars of the show was the Jowett Jupiter, which marked its 75th year since it first hit the scene. The Jupiter has some serious racing history, winning its class at Le Mans three years in a row—in 1950, 1951, and 1952. There were three in this race.

This year, the Stirling Moss Trophy had extra meaning, with 70 years since Sir Stirling Moss scored his very first Formula One win. The event celebrates his story by featuring cars from the era and paying tribute to his incredible influence on the sport.

The nimble Cooper Monaco of Andrew Smith proved victorious in this one with the Greensall / Spiers Lister Knobbly second and the Wilson / Nuthall Lotus 15 third.

Derek Bell Trophy for F2/5000 – Races 3 and 13

The Derek Bell Trophy for single-seater cars made between 1967 and 1984 featured historic Formula F5000 and Formula 2 cars among others.

Most F5000 cars use short block Chevrolet V8 engines, but some racers choose the Ford GAA 3400cc twin-cam V6 engine, which was also used in Ford’s European Touring Car Championship campaign.

Two races, both won by Michael Lyons in his Lola T400. In race one Danny Eagling’s nimble 2 litre F2 March 742 was only 12.8 secs behind in second with Alex Kapadia’s third placed F2 March 762 a further 27 secs back.

Kapadia would finish second in race two ahead of Tom Smith’s March 74B.

Race two suffered a red flag and, quite bizzarely (to my eyes), the organisers decided to re grid and run the final 6 minutes. This delay had a major impact on the event to the point that there was no lunch time and thus the marshals missed an important rest period. Something to think about in future.

MRL GT3 Legends – Race 4

Between 2006 and 2012 the European GT3 Championship supported the FIA GT Championship. The cars are production GTs and among the entry were the Audi R8, Aston Martin Vantage, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 997 GT3R, and a plethora of BMW Z4s.

Lots of pit stop penalties were applied in this one which was eventually won by Danny Winstanley in his Audi R8.

Masters Racing Legends (Formula One ’66-’85) – Races 5 and 16

Between 1966 and 1985 Formula One went through some major technical developments, mostly brought about by the “Garagistes”, a term coined by Enzo Ferrari. Lotus led the charge but by the late 70s, Williams and Brabham were also punching way above their weight. These cars are powered by the naturally aspirated 3 litre Coswoth engine and include some of the prettiest designs ever to grace the world championship.

Overall winner in both races was Tom Bradshaw in his McLaren MP4/1 leading home Stuart Hall’s March 821 2nd and Matthew Wrigley’s Tyrrell 011 in third.

Mike Cantillon’s Williams FW07C was second in race 2 with Matthew Wrigley’s Tyrrell 011 once again in third.

Masters Endurance Legends – Races 6 and 13

Now we really moved into “modern” territory. These races bring together all the cars that were homologated to race at Le Mans between 1995 and 2016. LMP and IMSA Prototypes together with GT3s of the period.

Steve Brooks in his Peugeot 90X was victorious in both races; leading home Christophe D’Ansembourg’s Lola Aston DBR1-2 by 7.7 secs in race 1 and Werner D’Ansembourg’s Pescarolo LMP1 by 19.9 secs in race 2.

Transatlantic Touring Car Trophy (Pre 66) – Race 7

Three wheeling Cortinas, chasing down Ford Mustangs and falcons, Minis, in fact anything with four wheels and seats and a roof, took to the track for this 45 minutes two-driver celebration of oversteer.

Having started second, the Matt Johnson and Robert Ross Mustang found itself in the lead when the safety car was deployed. The car was on its own with nothing in front and nothing behind, there followed several laps of confusion for the lead driver until all the cars (other than the leader) were waved through.

This was a Mustang carnival despite the efforts of Tom Sharp in his Falcon who eventually finished 6th. Ultimately Mustang No. 16 crossed the line 0.169 secs ahead of polesitter Sam Tordoff’s No. 600 example.

HGPCA Pre ’66 Grand Prix Cars – Races 8 and 17

Goggles on, silk scarf over the mouth and nose, the drivers of the Pre ’61 Front engined and Pre ’66 rear engined Grand Prix cars combined in two wonderful 20 minute blasts.

Two races, one winner. That was the story of the HGPCA pre 66 Grand Prix Cars. The Cooper T53 was clearly the car to have at Silverstone, proven by all three podium finishers who were pedalling them.

Will Nuthall took control of both races from Pole and never looked back, other than the occasional check on the mirrors. Second in Race one and third in Race two was Tom Waterfield, Rudi Freidrichs and Tom swapped those positions for Race 2.

International Trophy for Classic GT Cars (Pre 66) – Race 9

Otherwise known as the Gentleman Drivers Series, this two driver race included Jaguar E Types, Lotus Elans, Cobras, Mustang fastbacks, Ferrari, TVR, Porsche et al.

It’s easy to say “nothing happened” when the top three qualifiers finish in qualifying order, but after 20 laps of Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit and 50 minutes of racing the top three were only separated by 6.5 seconds. Meaning that winner Julian Thomas had to work seriously hard. Having lost the lead to the Hart Cobra Daytona on lap 4, Julian was back in front by lap 8 only losing the place during the pit stops before running out a deserved winner.

Masters Group C – Race 10

Sadly the return to the Festival for the Group C cars in all their full ground effect brilliance, was somewhat muted. If Silverstone was built for anything it was for these machines. Fast, slippery and stuck to the road like Scalextric Magnatraction ^TM, so the sight of just seven examples (10 qualified), and none of them a Porsche or Jaguar, was mildly disappointing.

Andy Soucek took the lead at the first corner and scampered away to a seemingly uncontested victory. But a win is after all, a win, and a win in the work of italian art that is the Lancia LC 2 is even better.

Adrian Flux Trophy For MRL Historic Touring Car Challenge – Race 14

The MRL Historic Touring Car Challenge, features Groups 1, 2, and A Touring cars on track. This year not only were the Group 1 cars racing for the Tony Dron Trophy, the Group A Sierra Cosworths were vying for the Andy Rouse Trophy, in celebration of one of the UK’s most prolific Touring Car Engineers and Racers.  Rover SD1s, Sierra Cosworths, Ford Capris, BMWs, Toyotas and Nissans formed a capacity grid, reminiscent of a mid-eighties supermarket car park.

The great Andy Rouse was on hand to present the eponymous trophy so it was pleasing to see Julian Thomas in his original Rouse built Kaliber car take the overall win and the Andy Rouse Trophy after 50 minutes of this pit stop race.

The race start was also pleasing with the Hart (Pere et Fils) BMW 3.0CSL scrapping with Wim Kiujl’s Ford capri RS 3100. It was 1973 all over again and I had hair!

But as usual, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be and the Capri retired after 7 laps leaving the BMW as the filling in a Sierra RS 500 sandwich with David Tomlin’s example in third.

The matchless Grid of the 500cc F3 – Race 15

Picture this: sixty vintage streamlined motorcycle sidecars from the fabulous 1950s, all lined up—but wait! The motorcycles are gone, leaving just the sidecars.

Now, imagine each sidecar sprouting four bicycle wheels, transforming into remarkable racing machines with an unmistakable quirky flair. These aren’t mere relics of the past—they’re born to take on the grid in the most entertaining fashion.

And at the very core: a roaring 500cc motorcycle engine, cleverly mounted within, promising speed and excitement. This dazzling combination of retro sidecar charm and pure engineering ingenuity made the 500cc F3 race an unmissable event, bursting with character and energy.

And the winner was…………. ah who cares?

Just watching these bathtubs on wheels, where the driver has to grip the sides to stay in the seat was a delight. But it’s only fair to say that after 5 laps of what must have been pure terror, Tom Waterfield in his Cooper Norton Mk9 ran out a very deserved winner.

Masters GT Trophy – Race 19

Pre 2015 GT3 cars mixed with GT4s, lots of Porsches, Ferraris, Aston Martins and Lamborghinis. A cornucopia of supercars from the period between 1999 to 2018 gathered for this 40 minute blast which was won in fine style by the Wilkins / Scott Lamborghini Gallardo GT3.

Masters Sports Car Legends – Race 20

Thumping V8s in 1960s sports racing cars. Think Ford v Ferrari 1966 and you have the essence of Masters Sports Car Legends. This 50 minutes two driver race closed the Festival track action in the loudest way possible. Eardrums ringing, it was thus appropriate that the Ministry of Sound Classic fired up the turntables to sooth the audience and complete the weekend.

Starting from second on the grid the Pearson/Brundle Lola T70 Mk 3B leapt into the lead on lap one. It was a lead it would keep until the flag, finishing 13.5 secs ahead of the second placed Pittard / Burke Chevron B26 and the Ward / Magnussen Lola T70 Mk3B in third.

The end of an era?

If you’re going to go out, go out with a bang. This year’s event was a laid-back festival of petrol-fumed excitement, stretching from Friday morning all the way to Sunday evening. Engines purred, hearts beat a little faster, and there was a comfortable buzz of anticipation throughout.

Honestly, words fall short when trying to sum up the fun and spectacle we all enjoyed. Whether you’re a devoted motor sport enthusiast or just after a lively weekend, the mix of classic cars and historic marvels offered something for everyone.

The vibe was easygoing, with crowds mingling, swapping stories, and soaking up the atmosphere. From the cheerful hum of engines and the occasional whiff of burning rubber, to cars cruising the track, the weekend was packed with moments to savour. And among all the excitement, there was a sense of community—people coming together, sharing their love for speed and the open road.

As Sunday evening arrived, it was clear this year’s event had carved out special memories for all involved. Friendships formed, dreams were chased, and for a lucky few, those dreams came true behind the wheel.

Images:

As usual a full gallery of images will be found here: https://peter-mallett.smugmug.com/Silverstone-Festival-2025

And Finally:

If you enjoyed the event or have any thoughts about it, feel free to comment, and if you like the write up please forward the link to others who may also enjoy it.