Mercedes C9 to compete in Silverstone Classic

One of the most spectacular Group C sports cars from the World Sportscar Championship of the late 1980s will be a very special attraction at the Silverstone Classic.

The 'Silver Arrows' liveried Mercedes C9 that competed in the 1989 World Sportscar Championship in the hands of Jochen Mass and Jean-Louis Schlesser will race in the pair of Group C races and will be the first Mercedes from the era to race in Britain since the end of the category, more than 15 years ago.

Group C is the hugely successful revival race series for cars from a golden era of international sports car racing and a 90-minute two driver race for the cars will bring the curtain down on the three-day Silverstone Classic race programme.

Australian racer Rob Sherrard has acquired chassis 05A from the 1989 season and plans to race it at Silverstone, six weeks after taking the car back to Le Mans for the Group C race supporting the modern 24-hour race.

Back in 1989, the Mercedes was recorded at a record-breaking 252mph on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans, which set a racing world land speed record at the time.

After finishing racing at the end of the 1989 season, the chassis was restored by the Sauber team in 1992 and sold to Switzerland, where it remained until Sherrard concluded negotiations to buy it in March.

It is now being prepared for a return to racing by Midlands-based Xtec Engineering.

"It's an awesome racing car with unrivalled pedigree and to be able to race it is fantastic," said Sherrard, who has previously raced a Porsche 962C in the Group C series. "I can't wait to drive it in anger!"

Advance tickets can now be purchased on 0871 703 38 48 or online at www.silverstoneclassic.com.

All tickets include free car parking, extensive covered and uncovered grandstand seating, paddock transfers and free entry for accompanied children (under 16).