The line-up for this summer’s Silverstone Classic has been announced – and foremost among the famous faces appearing at the event will be a fleet of race-ready Fiat 500 Abarths.
Stars from the worlds of music, TV and radio are set to climb into the Fiat fleet on Friday July 23 from 7.30pm to test out their mettle on the racetrack.
They will include BBC Radio 2 DJs ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, Johnnie Walker and Richard Allinson, chef Heston Blumenthal and Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole, as well as musician, DJ and kart racer Rick Parfitt Jnr.
They are all due to receive training from Silverstone race instructors to prepare them for the challenge and to make sure they have the necessary licences to take part in the event.
Organisers say of the Abarth: “Although very much a car for the modern day, it remains true to the brand tradition of being ‘small but wicked’.
“Like the original Abarth products of the 1950s and 1960s, the Abarth 500 has a fine heritage and is a true sporting classic.”
After the race the cars are due to be autographed by the drivers and offered back to the contributing Abarth dealers for sale.
The race will be run in support of Cancer Research UK and the Bobby Moore Fund which supports research into bowel cancer.
Event director Nick Wigley said: “This is an exciting addition to the Silverstone Classic. It will be a lot of fun for everyone and will raise money and awareness for a very good cause.”
The Silverstone Celebrity Race Challenge will get under way with qualifying at 6.45pm on Friday to determine start positions on the grid.
During the half-hour race two celebrities will share each car with a mandatory driver change in the pits at the half-way stage.
At the end of the race the winners will enjoy a champagne celebration on the podium before a live concert featuring The Yardbirds and Dr Feelgood.
For more information about this year’s event, including ticket booking, visit its website here.