Silver Arrow racers to star at Festival of Speed

This month's Festival of Speed at Goodwood in the UK is shaping up to be an absolutely marvellous event. Enthusiasts are going to be treated to a cavalcade of historic racing machines that normally could not be seen outside of a museum.

Amongst these will be a record number of legendary pre-War 'Silver Arrows' German racers that will gather as part of Goodwood's celebrations to mark 75 years since the first appearance of the dominant Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz competition cars.

Recognising this important moment in motor racing history, Goodwood plans to gather together the largest collection of Silver Arrow racers ever seen in one location, with at least a dozen or more Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz cars scheduled to attend the 2009 Festival.

The Silver Arrow name (Silberpfeile in German) was adopted by the press as a mark of respect for the all conquering Nazi backed Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix cars that raced pre-War between 1934 and 1939. The Silver Arrow tag was also applied post-War to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One cars of 1954/55.

Famous Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow racers due to appear at Goodwood will include the 1934 W25 and 1937 W125 - both to be driven by Jochen Mass - plus the 1939 W165 and 1954 W196, the latter with Sir Stirling Moss behind the wheel.

A number of Auto Unions will also be on hand, helping to form part of the Centenary celebrations of Audi, as well as 75 years of the Silver Arrow. Audi will be the main featured marque at this year's Festival of Speed, with an imposing 'Central Feature' art installation directly outside Goodwood House.

Auto Unions in attendance will include the 1934 Type A and 1938 Type D, the latter due to be driven by Le Mans legend Jacky Ickx and Pink Floyd's drummer and huge motoring enthusiast Nick Mason. In addition to the Silver Arrow Auto Unions, an impressive collection of Audi's other important motor racing moments will be honoured at the Festival. These will include the pioneering rallying Quattros of the 1980s, through to the latest Audi R10s that have dominated endurance sport car racing in recent years.

Source: JUST CARS, August 2009, Collectors Issue #162