Silverstone Festival – The
Final Chapter?

This year’s Silverstone Festival felt bittersweet. The sun was out, the tarmac was alive, the air filled with the smells and sounds of cars from every era—and yet, there’s that looming elephant in the room. Word is the festival is set to merge (or be swallowed up) by Chris Evans’ CarFest, which already has plenty of controversy swirling around it. More on that later…

The Festival Itself

In a word? Awesome. We had wall-to-wall sunshine, non-stop track action, and the kind of automotive eye candy that makes you stop mid-step. From the grandstands to the pit walls, the racing was front and center, exactly as it should be.

Beyond the track, Silverstone felt like a playground for petrolheads. Trade stands were stacked with everything from diecast toy cars to 3D-printed gear, posters, clothing, seats inspired by racing cockpits, rare parts, and even whole cars up for grabs. You could lose hours rummaging for that bargain you didn’t know you needed.

Major brands showed up in force—massive F1 simulators, personal racing rigs, competitions, manufacturer showcases, and even eBay had a presence. F1 teams displayed their machines up close, and for younger visitors, the Junior Drivers Zone let kids aged 10+ get behind the wheel for their first taste of driving.

The car club sections were better than ever. Gone are the days of being stuffed in a corner like Baby from Dirty Dancing. This year they had prime space near the international pits, with lineups that had enthusiasts gawping all weekend. On the flip side, the EV club was practically a ghost town. No surprise really—these shows are about noise, smell, and raw passion. EVs just don’t deliver that.

Food & Fun

Silverstone borrowed a page from Goodwood with a dedicated food village. Prices though? Ouch. A Greek wrap with chips was £25—no wonder the queue was empty. Thankfully, a much more reasonable Mexican chicken, rice, and salad bowl sat across the way for £12. You had to shop around, but good grub was there.

Families weren’t left out either. The kids’ zone in front of the stage kept the little ones entertained, plus there was a small fairground area for rides and games.

Iconic Auctions

Always a highlight, Iconic Auctions was three times the size this year. The outdoor section doubled, and two extra halls were packed with everything from 90s hot hatches to a barn-find Porsche Speedster that sold for just shy of £400k. A pristine Opel Manta 400 went under the hammer at £112k—hard to believe these were once £1,200 cars! Upstairs was a memorabilia section and a half-hearted attempt at a café. Let’s just say… room for improvement.

Behind the Scenes at Silverstone

For me, the international pit area is what makes Silverstone special. You’re not hidden behind hay bales or fences—you can literally walk among the garages, watch the teams at work, smell the fuel, and hear the engines roar as they fire up and roll out. It’s immersive in a way few events allow. Keep your eyes open too; this year Chris Harris and Richard Hammond were just a couple of the familiar faces spotted out on track.

Evening Entertainment

When the sun went down, Silverstone kept the energy high. Natasha Bedingfield kicked things off—not really my cup of tea, but fair play to her. Craig David and his crew kept the crowd moving, but the real standout for us was the Ministry of Sound Classic session, backed by a full orchestra. That one was pure show-stopper territory.

The Elephant in the Room…

Here’s where it gets tricky. Silverstone Festival, as we know it, is ending. It’s either going to merge with or be replaced by Chris Evans’ CarFest. And let’s be honest—CarFest isn’t really a car festival. It’s more music, yoga, face painting, and “weekend retreat” energy, with a few cars thrown in. It’s Evans’ attempt at building his own Glastonbury, but that doesn’t land well with true petrolheads.

Car enthusiasts online are already calling it a disaster in the making. I’ve spoken to a few car companies and independents who’ve exhibited at CarFest before—they all said the same: don’t bother. It’s not for real car people, it’s a music festival with a thin automotive garnish. One even joked it’s more suited to “mocha-drinking yoga fans with man buns.” Their words… okay, partly mine too!

What’s Next?

That’s the million-pound question. If CarFest simply steamrolls Silverstone, it’ll be a massive loss for proper enthusiasts. If it’s a true merger and Silverstone keeps cars front and center, maybe—just maybe—the spirit of the festival can survive.

We’ll have to wait and see what next year’s press and promotions reveal. But for now, Silverstone 2025 was a send-off worthy of its name: cars, history, speed, passion, and family fun—exactly what a festival like this should be.

Beaulieu International Autojumble