Walter Hayes Trophy 2016
Programme: ‘Welcome’
Stuart Pringle
courtesy and copyright of Stuart Pringle and Silverstone Circuits Ltd.
http://silverstone.co.uk
Welcome.
I would like to welcome you to Silverstone this weekend for our end-of-season Formula Ford spectacular, the Silverstone Walter Hayes Trophy. This year is the 16th running of the event that has established itself as the world’s premier formula Ford racing event. This is, without doubt, the category’s blue riband.
This weekend’s race meeting will bring the curtain down on another thrilling season of sport witnessed here at the home of British motor racing, the highlight of which was Lewis Hamilton’s superb victory here in July when he won the British Grand Prix in spectacular fashion. Just a few weeks later we saw Maverick Vinales score a surprise, but well-deserved, victory in the British MotoGP round. Silverstone also hosted the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship back in the spring, as well as rounds of the British Touring Car and British Superbike championships. It is exciting to know that 2017 is already shaping up to be another season of exciting track action!
The Walter Hayes Trophy is all about junior single-seater racing, and our celebration of one of the world’s most celebrated, and loved, race categories. Formula Ford has provided the motor racing world with winners since 1967, and we are already looking forward to the 50th anniversary of Formula Ford 1600 which will take place next year. Plans for celebrations at the Walter Hayes Trophy in November 2017 are already being formulated.
Racers from around the world will gather at Silverstone for this event in the hope of winning the coveted Walter Hayes Trophy. Indeed many of them have been here for two or three days this week to test their cars around our fast and challenging 1.6 mile National circuit. Divided into six heats, the Formula Fordsters will aim to progress safely from their first run races on Saturday towards Sundays knockout element and ultimately the Walter Hayes Trophy Grand Final. Sunday’s final race will see the top 36 drivers from the weekend’s action racing off for 15 laps of frantic wheel-to-wheel action!
The event bears the name of the man who is in part responsible for the creation of Formula Ford and the instigation of the famous Ford Cosworth DFV F1 engine. This F1 engine powered many drivers to Grand Prix glory, notably Sir Jackie Stewart, who won three titles with Ford Cosworth DFV power. The Walter Hayes Trophy celebrates Walter’s life, keeping his name alive for a whole new generation of motoring and motorsport enthusiasts. Walter’s family are welcome visitors to Silverstone this weekend.
As always the entry is bulging, with well over 100 cars taking part in the Walter Hayes Trophy, and three former winners can be found on the list. Graham Caroll returns after winning the title last year, as does Joey Foster, winner in 2003, ’04 and ’05, as well as 2014 winner, Wayne Boyd. Racers from America, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, mainland Europe and Ireland will join British competitors to make this a truly international affair. As well as the fireworks on track, there will be fireworks off track as Silverstone ends its season with a bang! Saturday evening will see our traditional firework display and bonfire take place, with the bonfire lit at 5:15 pm and the fireworks commencing at 6 pm. Afterwards make sure you visit the paddock café for some Walter Hayes Trophy fun, when you can meet and hear from competitors during the traditional Drivers’ Forum, before like music takes over. Enjoy your weekend – the Walter Hayes Trophy is always a cracker and I look forward to welcoming you back to Silverstone again next season.
Stuart Pringle
Sporting Director, Silverstone Circuits Ltd