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Silverstone Classic attracts 42-car Super Touring grid

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The HSCC Super Touring Challenge returns this weekend at the Silverstone Classic, with a 42-strong grid preparing to take on the “home of British motorsport” at the series’ blue riband event.

Heading the field will be Stewart Whyte in the Honda Accord that he has taken to the top step in three of the four races so far in 2015, including a dominant performance the at Brands Hatch in May.

Looking to dethrone the Scot will be James Dodd, who, along with his father Graeme, was notably absent from Brands Hatch. Both are back on the entry list at Silverstone and James will be looking to replicate his form from the 2014 Silverstone Classic, which saw him catch the eye of former WTCC Champion Rob Huff in a thrilling duel with the Lada driver.

The 2015 event once again has attracted top touring car names to step behind the wheel, with current BTCC driver Adam Morgan sharing a BMW M3 with Darren Fielding, while Tim Harvey and Steve Soper will compete in a BMW and a Rover respectively.

Former BTCC driver Frank Wrathall will also be in action, sharing an Audi A4 Quattro with Johannes Van Nierop, while series regulars John Cleland and Patrick Watts bringing the total number of BTCC alumni to six.

Potential race winners can also be found in the form of Neil Smith and his Alfa Romeo 156, who has enjoyed strong pace around the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, taking victory on the road in 2013 before having his win removed by the stewards following an incident with Stewart Whyte.

Other drivers who have seen success in the Super Touring series include Simon Garrad, who will be debuting his new Opel Vectra, and Mark Jones in the Williams Renault Laguna. Additionally, Dave Jarman is set to compete after an extensive rebuild of his Nissan Primera, damaged in a clash with Paul Smith’s Audi A4 at Brands Hatch, causing the race to be cancelled and also meaning Smith will be absent at the Silverstone Classic.

In the GA class, Harry Whale and Mark Smith will be looking to continue their on track BMW M3 rivalry that has created some of the best racing in the historic series over the past two years.

Looking to join the M3 battle in the GA2 class will be Jan Bot, Jason and Guy Minshaw, Tom Houlbrook and Tim Harvey, who shares Dave Ball’s car, creating a mouth watering encounter for fans of the iconic BMW machine.

With many more cars joining the fray and make it to the top of their respective classes across the historic festival weekend, the 42-car field looks set to enjoy yet more thrilling racing at the Silverstone Classic.

 

Timetable (All times BST)

 
Friday 24th July
Qualifying – 15:00

Saturday 25th July
Race – 14:45

Sunday 26th July
Race -14:50

PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST – ROUNDS 5 & 6 – SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

No – Driver – Car
1 – James Dodd – Honda Accord
3 – John Young – Ford Capri
4 – Graeme Dodd – Nissan Primera
8 – Darren Fielding/Adam Morgan – BMW M3
9 – Jason Minshaw – BMW M3
10 – David Cuff – Ford Capri
11 – Stephen Dymoke – Alfa Romeo 156
12 – Patrick Watts – Peugeot 406
14 – Malcolm Harrison – Peugeot 406
15 – Craig Davies – Ford RS500
16 – Steve Dance – Ford Capri RS 2600
17 – Mark Smith – BMW M3
19 – Andrew Kirkley – Ford Sierra
20 – Chris Beighton/Jon Finnemore – Honda Accord
24 – Alvin Powell – Ford Mondeo
27 – Ric Wood – Ford Capri
28 – John/Gary Pearson – Alfa Romeo 156
30 – Jan Bot – BMW E30 M3
31 – Roger Lavender – Ford Mondeo
33 – Alan Strachan – Ford Mondeo
36 – Keith Butcher – Audi A4
37 – Simon Garrad – Opel Vectra
39 – Johannes Van Nierop/Frank Wrathall – Audi 80 Quattro
44 – Chris Ward – Jaguar XJS
46 – Andy Woods Dean/Martin Johnson – Audi Quattro
53 – Mark Hazell – BMW M3
55 – Peter Mullen – BMW CSL
58 – Andrew Strachan – Rover P6
60 – Mark Wright – Ford Escort RS1800
63 – Andrew Wolfe – Opel Astra
66 – Harry Whale – BMW M3
67 – Tony Absolom – Vauxhall Cavalier
70 – Stewart Whyte – Honda Accord
77 – Dave Jarman – Nissan Primera
79 – Mark Jones – Renault Laguna
82 – Peter Hallford/Stephen Treherne – Ford Boss Mustang
83 – Dave Ball/Tim Harvey – BMW E30 M3
84 – Tom Houlbrook – BMW E30 M3
88 – Steve Soper – Rover SD1 Vitesse
93 – Ollie Hancock – BMW 3.0CSL
97 – Neil Smith – Alfa Romeo 156
98 – John Cleland – Vauxhall Vectra