Cars from the Epic Group C Era Back onto Silverstone Festival Bill
21 November 2024- Legendary Le Mans icons return for spectacular Saturday sundowner
- Exciting new series revives crowd-pleasing prototypes from the 1980s
- Jaguar, Porsche and Mercedes racing icons renew old rivalries
- Tickets on sale at Super Early Bird prices
By popular demand, Masters Historic Racing bring back spectacular Group C sportscars racing into the sunset at next summer’s Silverstone Festival (22-24 August). It will be a huge year as the event will also be celebrating the 75th anniversary of Formula 1.
It will be a very welcome return for these widely revered 200+ mph endurance prototypes from the 1980s which were a much-loved treasure on the event’s packed track programme until 2017 when, sadly, grid numbers started to decline.
Partially filling the void, a stunning collection of iconic Group C cars was assembled at Silverstone in 2022 to mark the 40 years since the category first raced at the circuit. It was an impressive gathering – fronted by five-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Derek Bell MBE – that drew huge crowds, widespread praise and fuelled demand to see these icons back racing again… a wish that will come true next summer!
Turning dreams into reality, Masters Historic Racing has introduced the wonderful new Masters Le Mans 80+ series to give these Group C titans a hotly anticipated revival. Just three European rounds (plus two in the Middle East) will be staged, all at circuits where the cars can unleash their full power: Paul Ricard in France; Nürburgring in Germany and, of course, Silverstone.
“Group C has always been a massive crowd-pleaser at the Festival and, as soon as Masters announced this super-exciting new grid, we knew we had to squeeze it onto the bill,” said a clearly very happy Event Director, Nick Wigley.
“Aside from possibly Le Mans, there can be no better place to watch Group C cars in flat-out action than on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit where they excelled in period. With this race adding to our special celebrations to honour 75 years of Formula 1, next year’s Festival is just looking better and better. It’s not to be missed!”
Ensuring a bumper grid, Masters Le Mans 80+ will spotlight Group C plus IMSA GTP cars as raced so successfully in the US, racing into the sunset on Saturday evening at the 2025 Festival.
“For the 2025 season, we’re excited to bring the new Masters Le Mans 80s+ grid to five events, with the Silverstone Festival standing out as a particularly thrilling showcase for these legendary Group C and IMSA GTP cars which competed at Le Mans from 1982 to 1993,” confirmed Frederic Fatien, CEO at Masters. “The energy and passion from the avid fans at Silverstone is always incredible, and we look forward to seeing a strong grid take to the track next August for what promises to be another memorable celebration of endurance racing history.”
Fuelling the fever and stirring special memories, the celebrated racers remain in their evocative period liveries so fans can savour Silk Cut Jaguars, Rothmans Porsches and Silver Arrows Mercedes’ renewing their old rivalries as dusk falls.
The unmissable 40-minute Saturday evening showdown is the latest addition to a packed race-card featuring the very best grids historic motor sport has to offer.
With next year’s Festival paying tribute to the birth of the Formula 1 World Championship at Silverstone in 1950, 75 years of Grand Prix cars will take centre stage joined by all the golden eras of GTs, Sportscars, junior Single-Seaters and, of course, bumper-bashing Touring Cars. Relive the halcyon heydays of motorsport over the action-packed August Bank Holiday weekend.
Super Early Bird prices are available until the end of the year with day tickets from £50 and the increasingly popular three-day weekend ticket priced at £145. Camping options are also available. There is also a special 2-for-1 ticket offer for car club members booking to display their cherished classic through one of the 100+ registered car clubs.
Celebrating the Festival as a family occasion, accompanied children aged 15 and under can attend free and all tickets give access to an incredible line-up of family friendly activities and attractions including live music concerts from chart-topping performers, selected fun fair rides, stunt shows plus a wealth of other top class Bank Holiday entertainment for all ages.
Further information on the 2025 Silverstone Festival and full ticket details are available from the Silverstone Festival website here.
2025 Silverstone Festival Race Programme*
- Historic Formula Junior
- HGPCA for Pre '66 Grand Prix Cars
- Masters Racing Legends (Historic Formula 1)
- Royal Automobile Club Historic Tourist Trophy
- Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy & Stirling Moss Trophy
- NEW: Masters Le Mans 80s+
- Masters Endurance Legends
- Masters Sports Car Legends
- International Trophy for Classic GT Cars (Pre '66)
- Masters GT Trophy
- Transatlantic Trophy for Pre '66 Touring Cars
- Adrian Flux Trophy for MRL Historic Touring Car Challenge
*Further grids to be announced
