With the countdown to this month’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) now in full swing, World GP Bike Legends have announced a glittering roster of motorcycle racing idols to wow the crowds at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.
As ever, the star-studded line-up includes idols of two wheels from past and present generations from a variety of racing disciplines including GP, Superbike and Road Racing.
Aussie legend Wayne Gardner, who fought hard to win the 500cc World Championship in 1987 for Honda, takes to the grid once more. Alongside him will be ‘Fast’ Freddie Spencer, who holds three World Championship titles and is the only rider ever to win both the 250cc and 500cc World Championships in the same year. Other well-known GP riders include Steve ‘Stavros’ Parrish (factory Suzuki rider), Jeremy McWilliams (factory KTM rider) and Phil Read MBE, the first man in history to win 125cc, 250cc and 500cc World Championships.
The 1990 World Superbike Champion and former 500cc Yamaha rider Raymond Roche will also be donning his leathers and will have fellow British Superbike Champions John Reynolds and Tommy Hill, as well as current BSB young gun Luke Mossey, joining him on track at the Classic.
Fans of pure Road Racing won’t be left wanting either. Peter Hickman, a multiple TT race winner, is renowned as the fastest road racer in the world. He will be joined by fellow TT competitor, Maria Costello, who also holds a number of records, including the accolade of the first female competitor to compete on two and three wheels in the same year after campaigning both solo and sidecar races on the Isle of Man earlier this year.
World GP Bike Legends Rider:
Wayne Gardner (AUS) – 1987 500cc World Champion
Freddie Spencer (USA) – 3 x World Champion: 500cc – 1983 & 1985, 250cc – 1985
Raymond Roche (FRA) – World Superbike Champion 1990
Steve Parrish (UK) – GP Rider, Author & Suzuki Test Rider
Jeremy McWilliams (UK) – GP Rider & KTM Test Rider
Peter Hickman (UK) – TT & Road Racing Champion, World’s Fastest Road Racer
Maria Costello (UK) – TT Champion & record holder
John Reynolds (UK) – 3 x BSB Champion: 1992, 2001 & 2004
Tommy Hill (UK) – BSB Champion 2011
Luke Mossey (UK) – BSB Rider
Luis Maurel (ESP) – Spanish Champion
Phil Read MBE – First rider to win 125cc, 250cc & 500cc World Championship Titles
As well as taking to the famous Silverstone Grand Prix circuit at lunchtime on Saturday and Sunday, the World GP Bike Legends will be available throughout the weekend for meet and greets, selfies and autographs in the all-new MotoWorld bike zone at the Classic.
Whether fans of two or four wheels, all those attending this summer’s Classic are guaranteed three days of unrivalled retro racing spectacle enhanced by fun-fuelled family entertainment.
This year’s action-packed track programme features over 20 races, including special anniversary celebrations for Bentleys, Capris and Minis plus evocative showdowns for classic era Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 single-seaters all together on the same race-card for the very first time.
As well as including unlimited access to both race paddocks plus trackside grandstands, tickets also provide admission to all funfair rides, infield attractions, interactive activities and amusements for all ages… and, of course, MotoWorld. Also included are the evocatively vibrant live music concerts on both Friday and Saturday evenings, this year honouring the 50th anniversary of the seminal Woodstock festival in 1969.
Full details of all tickets (which must be purchased in advance) – as well as hospitality packages and weekend festival camping – can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.