Silverstone's slot on the MotoGP calendar is set to be used to celebrate the championship's 75th anniversary, with all teams set to run classic liveries in a first-ever MotoGP retro race.

The Motorcycle World Championship's birthday has, strictly speaking, already passed. The first round of the first World Championship season began on 6 June 1949 at the Isle of Man TT. That year's TT ran until 17 June, but the 2024 MotoGP British Grand Prix isn't scheduled until 5-7 August, meaning these birthday celebrations are set to be slightly belated. It does make some sense, though, to have the anniversary celebrations at Silverstone, which was the original replacement for the Isle of Man TT as the British round of the World Championship back in 1977 after riders refused to take part in the TT on safety grounds.

Nonetheless, they should look pretty good, with all 11 MotoGP teams set to run retro liveries. It's not an especially novel idea for racing in general - F1 has floated the idea on numerous occasions, and NASCAR used its race at Darlington earlier this year as a 'retro race'.

But it means we should get to see 23 (depending on the physical condition of Cal Crutchlow, who is set to wildcard but who had to pull out of his previously scheduled wildcard appearance at the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix due to a problem with his arm) bikes in one-off throwback paint schemes, which is hardly something to bemoan - especially considering the wealth of beauty in the histories of each manufacturer.

The liveries are all set to be revealed during the pit lane walk on the Day of Champions, held on Thursday 4 August, at 14:00.

On the announcement of the MotoGP retro race, MotoGP said: "MotoGP celebrates its 75th anniversary throughout 2024 and the festivities are set to kick up a gear at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. For the first time in the sport’s 75-year history, every bike and rider on the grid will race with a special, one-off livery at Silverstone – and all with a touch of retro style.

"Taking inspiration from any chapter in their unique histories, the 11 teams on the grid – including the five factories – will each race with their own special edition, vintage paintwork. What’s more, fans can see each and every one of them revealed live in a special event during the Day of Champions pit lane walk at 14:00 LT on Thursday at the British GP."