WORDS: NATHAN CHADWICK | PHOTOGRAPHY: THE CLASSIC
The Classic at Silverstone is to bring Group C back to its starting point, to celebrate 40 years since the category’s inception.
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The UK’s 1982 Silverstone Six Hours was the first round of the World Endurance Championship, and marked the debut of the Porsche 956. Although a need to conserve fuel meant that Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell couldn’t push the car to the maximum, ultimately handing victory to a Group 6 Lancia LC1, it won the Group C class and set the 956 up for a dominating podium lock-out at Le Mans later that year.
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The Classic will be bringing the first Rothmans car, plus many others, back to Silverstone in a celebration that sees on-track demonstration laps and special displays. The Classic has seen Group C racing before, but grids dwindled, making this revitalised event something to savour. Noted Group C car collector Henry Pearman has committed to supporting the event. He’ll be bring a Rothmans Porsche 962, a John Fitzpatrick 956 and a Richard Lloyd Racing Porsche 962. Other Group C cars from the likes of Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Peugeot are potential attendees, with more due to be announced in the run-up to the event.
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Other highlights include track demonstrations of 1980s and 1990s F1 cars, plus all seven of Sir Lewis Hamilton championship-winning Formula 1 cars in one place.
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The Classic takes place between August 26 and 28, 2022, and more details can be found here.