aerial photograph of Silverstone Race Circuit Northamptonshire England UK. Originally built in 1943 as an airfield, RAF Silverstone the site housed bomber aircraft during World War Two. At the end of the war motor racing enthusiasts started using the the old airfield as a motor racing track. In 1948 the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) leased the airfield for organized race meetings.In 1948 Silverstone racing circuit held the British Grand Prix and is now an annual race in the Formula One, Championship, race, circuit.