ASTON MARTIN Works hosts exclusive celebration track day at Silverstone.

• One-77, V12 Zagato and DBRS9 take to Silverstone circuit
• Customers from across Europe travel with their sports cars
• Event continues Works’ year-long diamond jubilee celebrations  

In its 60^th year, Aston Martin Works this week hosted a celebration customer track day at the world-renowned Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.

Works’ clients from across the UK and Continental Europe enjoyed the rare opportunity to put their Aston Martin sports cars to the test on one of the world’s most famous motor racing circuits.

The private event, at which owners savored the chance to test out the true performance potential of their sports cars, saw some of the luxury British brand’s most iconic models put through their paces. 

Among the cars in action were a One-77, a V12 Zagato and an example of the DBRS9 race car. They lined up alongside V8 and V12 Vantages; DB9s, a Virage and a Newport Pagnell-built original Vanquish, among much else.

Commenting on the event Aston Martin Works’ Commercial Director Paul Spires said: “It’s great to see so many of our sports cars being driven so skillfully by such an enthusiastic group of owners.

“When we proposed this idea at the beginning of the year we weren't sure how many people would want to bring along their cars, but the response today has been superb and I believe all involved have had an experience to remember.”

More than 20 Aston Martin sports cars took part, with drivers coached and tutored as required by a group of experienced Aston Martin Performance Driving Instructors.

Sir Jackie Stewarts first ever race car up for auction.

Silverstone Auctions will be offering racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart’s first ever race car for auction in its sale at the Silverstone Classic on the 26^th and 27^th July. The car is an extremely rare 1960 Marcos GT Xylon, offered at auction for the first time and estimated at between £35,000 and £50,000.

Marcos, founded in 1959 by BRDC member and racer, Jem Marsh, and the engineer Frank Costin, built just nine Xylons with this example being by far the most famous. The car came to be driven by Stewart when, in 1960, the Scottish racing enthusiast, Barry Filer, was having his race cars prepared by the Stewart family garage and invited a young Jackie to test with him at Oulton Park.

Following the test Filer promptly bought ‘G128’ for the 1961 season which Jackie then drove for him and, as a sign of things to come, promptly went on to win four sports car races. Jackie moved on in 1962, turning professional and racing Jaguars, whilst the cars career continued successfully through the 1960s under the guidance of Marcos co-founder, Jem Marsh.

The current vendor came into possession of the historic racer following his purchase of the remains of Marcos Sportscars in the 1990s and has had this famous Xylon tucked away in storage since production ceased at the marque’s Wiltshire factory.

Commenting on the sale of this historic car, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s fantastic to be offering this car for auction for the first time in its life. Jackie Stewart is one of the country’s most legendary racing drivers and therefore it’s apt that we are offering it at the home of British motorsport.”

The car is offered in 'barn find' condition, needing a total restoration and fresh preparation for any potential racing.

Nick added: “This is a truly great piece of motor racing history which I can’t wait to see restored and racing again soon.”

British Artist Tim Layzell reimagines the F-TYPE

The Jaguar F-TYPE Coupé has been immortalised on canvas by one of the world’s leading automotive artists, Tim Layzell.

Ian Callum, Jaguar’s Director of Design, said: “As a design team, it’s paramount we create Jaguars that make people smile. As Tim’s art also makes me smile, asking him to produce a painting to commemorate the launch of F-TYPE Coupé was a natural fit – and the resulting work is very special indeed.” 

Tim Layzell, began his career at just 13 years of age when his work was recognised by the British Racing Drivers’ Club. 19 years on, Tim’s work sells to collectors worldwide. Jaguar has always been a favourite manufacturer for Tim – one of his BRDC award winning paintings was of the 1953 Le Mans-winning Jaguar C-type – so the opportunity to get involved with a project around F-TYPE Coupé was immediately of interest. 

“I was, of course, very excited,” said Tim. “To me, the F-TYPE Coupé is everything a sports car should be: beautiful, fast, and it sounds amazing.

“The angle of the Coupé that I’ve chosen to paint shows off some of what I feel are its most exciting design cues; the tail lights, the deep-draw rear wings and its dramatic roof line. I wanted to paint it in a situation we’d all love to be in, driving through the mountains in late afternoon sunlight and shadows, while perhaps chasing another piece of exotica, in this case the F-TYPE Convertible!”