Tracks

GP-track of Silverstone

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Silverstone was originally opened in 1943 as a WW II airport for British bombers. When in 1945 the war was ended, the Royal Automobile Club approached the English Airforce. Shortly after that, a lease was signed. On 2nd October 1948, the first race was run at Silverstone.

In 1950, the present FIA Formula 1 Worldchampionship was created. The very first race of this championship was organised at... Silverstone!

Between 1950 and 2006 - the moment that we write this piece - 40 Formula 1 Grand Prix were run at Silverstone. The number of Formula 1 heroes that won there is impressive: Alain Prost is still record-holder with 5 victories. Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell and Jim Clark each won 3 races. David Coulthard, Jacques Villeneuve, Jackie Stewart, Alberto Ascari and Gonzales all won 2 races.

Other winners were Alonso, Montoya, Barrichello, Hakkinen, Herbert, Hill, Senna, Watson, Regazzoni, Hunt, Fittipaldi, Revson, Brabham, Collins, Fangio and Farina.

In the motorcycle GP 500 cc of 1981, the fast Dutchman Jack Middelburg got famous by beating worldchampion  Kenny Roberts in the last turn, the famous Woodcote Corner, and win in this heroic way the British GP. After his victory in Assen in 1980, Silverstone was his second GP victory.
The most important races that are held on this track of 5.140 m nowadays, are still the Formula 1 races with the cars and with the motorcycles there are the yearly WSB races (Worldchampionship Superbikes - see picture on the right side) and the FIM STK 1000 (Superstock 1000).

In 2005, the Belgian Didier Van Keymeulen got 4th at Silverstone (see picture on the left side) in the FIM Superstock 1000 category where he got worldchampion that same year, before the Turkish Kenan Sofuoglu.
On top of that, every year there are motorcycle races at Silverstone that count for the WSS (Worldchampionship Supersport), the FIM STK 600 (Superstock 600), and the BSB (British Superbike Championship), which can be considered as the national motorcycle championship of the highest level.

Besides the Formula 1, there are also yearly races that count for the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) and the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship), the Silverstone Britcar 24 hr, the F3 and FIA GT, the Grand Prix Masters and the Silverstone Classic.

In short: over half a century after the very first Formula 1 race ever been organised at Silverstone, this track is still one of the most historic and most challenging tracks  of the world for as well car as motorcycle races!