Liz Halliday will race two vintage Alfa Romeos at this weekend's Silverstone Classic, marking the iconic Italian manufacturer's centenary in style at the 'Home of British Motorsport'.
The dual sportswoman, who combines careers as a professional equestrian and race car driver, will contest a rare Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ Coda Tronca in the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy and the Italian Historic Car Cup and an Alfa Romeo GTA in the Under 2 Litre Touring Car (U2TC) event. Both cars have been prepared, and will be run, by specialists John Danby Racing.
The Silverstone Classic will also mark a return to racing for the first time in two years for multiple American Le Mans Series class winner, Halliday, after she missed out on competing with the SZ at the Monza Coppa Intereuropa in June due to a mechanical problem in practice.
"I haven't actually raced since I did Laguna Seca with Creation in 2008. This will be a bit different, but I'm really looking forward to it," said Halliday.
"Even though we missed the races at Monza, I loved driving the SZ in practice and the fans and other drivers were fantastic, enjoying what historic motorsport is all about."
The invitation-only RAC Tourist Trophy boasts an eclectic grid of pre-1963 GT race cars, including an ex-Stirling Moss Aston Martin DB4GT, while the new Italian Historic Car Cup is reserved exclusively for pre-1974 Italian sports, sports-prototype and GT cars that were raced in the World Endurance Championship in period. The SZ Coda Tronca, owned by Liz's father Don and thought to be the last of just 29 cars of its type ever made, qualifies for both events.
The GTA, meanwhile, will be driven for the first time in a decade in the highly-competitive U2TC races which give a nod to the early years of the European Touring Car Championship in the 1960s.
"My dad actually raced the GTA all around Europe, including at Monza, the Nurburgring and Silverstone, so it's a huge privilege for me to be following in his footsteps," explained Liz.
"The car has been sitting around for almost ten years doing nothing and we decided this was the year to bring it out and celebrate 100 years of Alfa Romeo. The Silverstone Classic seems like a great place to do it. I've never attended the event before, but everybody tells me good things about it and I'm expecting a really fun weekend."
Meanwhile, Halliday will also be supporting the motorsport debut of Cyclo-ssage, a market leader in massage products, at the event.
The company will have a presence at the Italian Historic Car Cup hospitality area with its medically-approved portable Pro Personal Massage System, several of which will be available to Silverstone Classic competitors and visitors for free treatments.
"Cyclo-ssage also produces equestrian products and when I met them at one of my recent events I tried out the Pro Personal Massage System and realised it would be perfect for motorsport," explained Liz.
"They'll be available for free treatments throughout the weekend and I think my fellow drivers will be really impressed."
The Silverstone Classic takes place between Friday 23 July and Sunday 25 July.
