FARNHAM town centre will fall silent on Sunday for all but the hum of classic 1950s-era racing cars, as the one-way system is closed for the Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix.

Thousands of nostalgic folk are expected to line the streets and enjoy the spectacle from 2pm-4pm, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Farnham’s own Mike Hawthorn becoming Britain’s first ever Formula One world champion.

The Grand Prix is a repeat of the 2009 event which marked the 50th anniversary of Hawthorn’s untimely death, an occasion that attracted around 4,500 spectators as well as numerous legends of motorsport, among them Sir Stirling Moss and Damon Hill.

The cars taking part in the parade are all of the period during which Hawthorn was a racing driver, including many that Mike either owned or drove himself during his career.

These will include a Mark I Jaguar of the type Hawthorn raced in 1955, a D Type Jaguar of the type he won the 1955 Le Mans with, Hawthorn’s own Riley Sprite and the Triumph TR3A he once drove in an auto-test as World Champion in 1958.

The parade will take place on a circuit of Red Lion Lane, Longbridge, Downing Street, The Borough, Woolmead Road, East Street, South Street and Union Road, with road closures in place from around 1.30pm-4.30pm.

There will also be restricted access to Central and Waggon Yard car parks. But a lane will remain open in The Borough between West Street and Castle Street.

Reverend David Uffindell, the Rector of Farnham, will lead a service of celebration in St Andrew’s Church at 1pm prior to the parade. The public are welcome to attend but priority will be given to invited guests.

After the parade, the cars will line up for a public static display in the Farnham Maltings car park - although for health and safety reasons, this ‘paddock’ is strictly off limits until after 4pm.

Bringing the day’s events to a close, an invite-only civic reception and vintage tea party will take place in the Maltings from 4pm to 6pm.

The Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix de Farnham is sponsored by Total Elf HTX and supported by Hawthorns car dealership in Farnham.

For more information, see the event programme inside this week’s Herald or visit www.mikehawthorngrandprixoffarnham.co.uk .