THE world’s biggest classic motor show is back for another year with the return of the Silverstone Classic.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on the circuit for the motor show, with a few special anniversaries being marked at the 2018 showpiece.

This year marks 70 years since 32 engines first tore off the grid at the Grand Prix in 1948, while the British Touring Car Championship is celebrating 60 years since its inception.

Both will be honoured at the Classic, with the usual carnival, family-friendly atmosphere expected to attract motor-loving enthusiasts in their droves.

And event director Nick Wigley is confident that you don’t have to be a petrolhead to enjoy the three-day extravaganza, which takes place from July 20 to 22.

“We deliberately made it a festival because the enthusiast comes to celebrate and see the fantastic racing, but to make it a weekend we need to encourage all of the family to come,” he said.

“We've got all of the other entertainment, which is about entertaining the entire family.

“You'll see more here than you'll see at any other classic motor racing event anywhere in the world.

“We've got over 1,000 cars that are competing and they range from cars from the 30s and 40s right through up to cars from 2012, so in terms of the breadth and variety of racing and the number of cars racing, it is bigger and better than anything you'll see anywhere else in the world.”

Former Formula 1 star Mark Webber, who won the British Grand Prix on the Silverstone Circuit in 2010 and 2012, believes the Classic is a truly special event largely thanks to the history of the circuit.

“I think, first of all, it's the venue,” said the Australian. “There's so much history here, with 70 years of the Grand Prix being a beautiful anniversary. It's amazing the configuration of the track back then - they were coming at each other at a combined speed of nearly 300mph and then they were peeling away and going around the perimeter roads.

“There are some beautiful stories from the past… then there's the history of the cars.

“There are 1,000 entries [to race], so the Classic is an incredible event and one of the biggest motorsport events in the world.”

As well as the Grand Prix and touring car celebrations, the Classic will also see more than 10,000 privately-owned cars on display on the infield, free admission to the grandstands and unrivalled access to the paddocks.

The Daytona at Dusk, Saturday’s flagship event, is the Classic’s special evening of endurance racing, while Formula 1, sports, GT and touring car grids make up the racing action over the three days.

Racing star-turned TV presenter Tiff Needell has been a regular at the Classic for years and is adamant the festival atmosphere will cater for everyone’s interests.

“Silverstone Classic is always a special event – it’s a festival, almost the Glastonbury of motorsport,” he said. “I always enjoy on race day going through the crowds, the stalls, the funfairs and the bars.

“It’s a brilliant three days of stuff going on at Silverstone. The cars are such historic machines too – they all look so different from today.

“I was a spectator in the 50s and a driver in the 70s, 80s, 90s so I love the Classic.

“The festival idea is great – people come for the whole three or four days and really get into the atmosphere of the place.

“I watched Jim Clark, my great hero, freewheeling his Lotus Cortina around and you come to the classic and see the same car he was in.

“And the Daytona till Dusk, as an endurance sports car man that’s probably the one I’m looking forward to the most.

“It’s a family affair – obviously sunshine will be guaranteed, it’s just a wonderful day out and a lovely festival feeling.”

The Silverstone Classic (July 20-22 2018) provides the best historic motor racing, unrivalled paddock access, impressive track parades, infield displays from over 100 car clubs, live music, vintage funfair, plus interactive driving activities and dynamic demonstrations over a packed three-day weekend. For details of all tickets, visit www.silverstoneclassic.com