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Written by Tom Hornsby

July, 15th 2008

There’s more to modern Formula One than luxury multi-story motorhomes and barricades. Tom Hornsby digs deep to discover evidence of a bygone era.

Few were surprised last weekend when Bernie Ecclestone finally hammered the final nail into Silverstone's coffin.

A deal with Donington Park to stage the race from 2010 signaled the end of a war that for the past decade had been waged between F1's supremo and circuit owners, the BRDC.

With the list of prospective countries jostling for a place at motorsport's top table as long as Ecclestone's bank balance, Silverstone, with its crumbling infrastructure and draconian club, stood little chance of weathering a storm that never looked like blowing itself out.

Tatty and worn round the edges, it's hardly a venue that conjures an image of the modern Formula One Ecclestone has worked so tirelessly to cultivate during his 30 years at the helm. One suspects the makeshift scaffolded structures were just too industrial for a sport masquerading as the world's most glamorous.

Which is why it was surprising to note what seemed such an obvious typo in the programme. Amongst the usual Series' lending a supporting role, it claimed the Historic Saloon Car Challenge would be attending; Cortinas and Anglias sharing the bill with Ferrari and Mclaren? Less VIP, more Austin A40.

A brief look round the paddock turned up nothing. It must have been a mistake after all. But then a marshal waved in the direction of the National Circuit three car parks away from the pit complex and there, well hidden from the corporate gaze of the Paddock Club, the black sheep of the motorsport weekend had set up camp.

A pit-pass free zone, spectators wandered freely around the temporary awnings marveling at the machinery as both mechanics and drivers donned their oily overalls and, in one case, a deerstalker cap, to prepare them. No telemetry, no tyre warmers, no aerofoils, just hard graft and honest engineering.

But low-tech doesn’t necessarily mean less excitement. Ex-pros swell the ranks of these historic championships and even the likes of former F1 stars find the competition as enjoyable as anything else on offer.

“I haven't got a team anymore and I wouldn't want one in the present climate.” said former Arrows boss and Le Mans winner Jackie Oliver. “I've got no inclination to be a professional driver. It's a lonely, hard place where you're paid to perform. I do this for fun. Classic car racing is fun. I know which side I’d rather be on.

"It's a club for club racers", said Championship regular Dan Cox. "We'll still have as much if not more fun and it'll be more spectacular because the cars will be sliding around. People can relate to the product a bit more. If the saloons were on TV and Formula One was on at the same time I'm pretty sure most would tune into the saloons. I know I would."

Even amongst this most relaxed of atmospheres though Ecclestone's influence could still be felt. A representative was dispatched to Thursday night's impromptu cricket match to remind drivers this was the British Grand Prix and not a typical club meeting at Croft. After a quick glance at the transporters parked along the grass verge it was also suggested they be straightened up. Even sponsors logos were removed at Ecclestone’s behest.

A spot of politics though wasn’t enough to dampen spirits around the most relaxed paddock any grand prix had seen in years. Formula One, take note.

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