F5000 set for 2012 Classic

Formula 5000, Formula 2 and touring cars from 1975 to 1999 are among the changes to the race line-up for the 2012 Silverstone Classic.

For the first time, F5000 and F2 cars will race together at the huge July festival, sharing a grid for two races on the full Grand Prix circuit. The mighty 5-litre Chevrolet-powered F5000s are expected to set the pace, but the best of the 2-litre F2 cars from the late 1970s will be close behind. “It’s great to be able to take F5000 cars onto the Grand Prix circuit,” said Lola T400 racer Michael Lyons. “We have the horsepower, but the F2 cars are very quick.”

Touring cars are back on the bill with an expected 50-car grid, including Super Touring machinery and earlier Group 2 and Group A cars ranging from BMW CSLs to Ford Sierra Cosworths and Rover SD1s. The 1990s era will be represented by Nissan Primeras and Ford Mondeos. The event will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sierra Cosworth and 50 years of the MGB.