The BDC is pleased to confirm that its Silverstone race meeting WILL take place this season – on a revised date in August.
The Club’s 72nd annual race day will now be held on Saturday 22 August – a move from its original slot of 8 August due to the Emirates Formula 1 70th Anniversary Grand Prix now occurring over that weekend.
BDC President Duncan Wiltshire said: “We are delighted to have agreed with Silverstone an alternative date on which to hold our annual race meeting, which is always one of the highlights of the British historic club racing calendar.”
He added: “Being able to hold our race meeting is a huge positive – and, with the Covid-19 pandemic having brought all activities to a virtual standstill, we are keen to keep flying the flag on behalf of the Club.
“All our regular competitors are keen for the event to happen and it’s possible, with other historic race meetings having unfortunately been cancelled, that we may enjoy a healthy surge of entries – which we would certainly welcome.”
Along with other motorsport events taking place in the UK during this period, the race meeting will be held ‘behind closed doors’ in line with the government’s current guidelines regarding the hosting of sporting fixtures.
This means that, unfortunately, neither Club Members nor general spectators will be allowed to attend the meeting, its typical garden party-style atmosphere usually making it one of the highlights of the BDC’s annual social calendar.
“It will be unusual not to welcome Club Members and other spectators,” said Duncan, “but we have to ensure we operate to strict guidelines, including an adherence to social distancing. We can assure all competitors that we will have full plans in place allowing us to run the meeting as safely as possible.”
It is anticipated that each competitor will be entitled to attend with a small crew only to help run their car (specific details regarding this arrangement, and many others, to be confirmed in due course).
The scheduled full race programme is expected to take place over the Silverstone National Circuit, with nine grids featuring a new all-comers pre-war race, the usual Bentley scratch and handicap events, the BDC Classic Sports Car Challenge and grids for FISCAR, Morgans and Aston Martins. Other marques will also be invited.
However, the popular lunchtime Bentley track parade, when up to 100 Members enjoy taking to the circuit, has been cancelled for this year. The Club’s usual hospitality arrangements have also had to be shelved.
Please check the Advertiser & Diary, Full Throttle e-newsletters, Club website and social media channels for the latest updates.