In August, organizers of the annual Silverstone Classic vintage racing weekend announced plans to feature the 50th anniversary of the Can-Am Challenge Cup Series at their 2016 event. Now, four months later comes word that the Silverstone Classic’s pair of Can-Am races will comprise the final round of a three-venue Can-Am 50 Interserie Challenge being organized by Masters Historic racing.
The earlier events will be held at two other historic British racing circuits, Brands Hatch and Donington Park
“There’s been an incredible buzz since we announced our intention to include Can-Am races in 2016,” Nick Wigley, chief executive of Goose Live Events, parent of the Silverstone Classic, said in a news release.“Now the addition of these two extra races will just fuel those fires and ensure the 50-year milestone is marked in memorable style with some truly fantastic races next summer.
“Rather like Group B in rallying, these fearsome Can-Am creations have rightly reached legendary status and to have so many of them back racing is really going to catch everyone’s imagination,” Wigley added.
“Can-Am cars always stop people in their tracks,” added Rachel Bailey, Masters Historic Racing event manager. “They look exciting, sound superb and we are very pleased to be organizing this celebration series in tandem with the Silverstone Classic where the cars will take centre stage.
“We are sure that many cars from across Europe will seize the opportunity to take part in this series and it will be wonderful to see them return to the circuits again. We are keen to attract a wide range of cars into action and offer fans a snapshot of the history of Can-Am racing.”
While the Can-Am was based in North America, cars, drivers and teams came from Europe as well, and the Interserie name is being rekindled from the European racing series featuring unlimited, Group 7 racing cars.
To ensure what the organizers term “massive” grids, the Can-Am 50 Interserie Challenge will include classes for 1960s and 1970s cars as well as a category for the later, smaller-engined sports-prototypes that followed.
Dates for the Silverstone Classic are July 29-31. Dates for the Brands Hatch and Donington Park events have yet to be released.
