![Steve Neal leads John Rhodes in the 1969 British Saloon Car Championship Classic & Sports Car – It's a Mini anniversary at the Silverstone Classic](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2019-01/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20It%27s%20a%20Mini%20anniversary%20at%20the%20Silverstone%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%2080dde036-d1df-491d-b430-e71013fd7f02.jpg?itok=XwijC5Ut)
The Mini’s 60th birthday will be marked at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July), as the world’s biggest-ever grid of racing Minis descends on the Northamptonshire circuit.
Two 20-minute Mini Celebration Trophy races will be held, one on the Saturday, the other the following day, with qualifying on Friday, ensuring all attendees will have the chance to catch these much-loved classics in action.
Organised by Masters Historic Racing, these diamond jubilee contests will be fought out between pre-1966 competition Minis.
Indeed, this is the second anniversary race announced, as Minis will make their Goodwood Members’ Meeting debut in April.
![The Mini made its name in rallying, such as here on the 1966 Alpine Rally Classic & Sports Car – It's a Mini anniversary at the Silverstone Classic](/sites/default/files/2019-01/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20It%27s%20a%20Mini%20anniversary%20at%20the%20Silverstone%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20Mini5.jpg)
Tony Fall/Mike Wood tackle the 1966 Alpine Rally in a Mini Cooper S
And the celebration doesn’t stop there, as Mini track parades are planned, too, as well as in-field displays by some of the many enthusiastic owners’ clubs – and if you’ve ever been to the Silverstone Classic, you’ll know how vast and impressive the club area is.
Minis might be remembered for their rally success, including a trio of Monte-Carlo victories, but they were also campaigned successfully in series such as the British Saloon Car Championship.
![Minis at the 2010 Silverstone Classic Classic & Sports Car – It's a Mini anniversary at the Silverstone Classic](/sites/default/files/2019-01/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20It%27s%20a%20Mini%20anniversary%20at%20the%20Silverstone%20Classic%20%E2%80%93%20IMG_1451.jpg)
Minis compete in the Masters FIA Mini with Oldies but Goldies race at the 2010 Silverstone Classic