The Chiron’s production run enters its second half

The 250th Bugatti Chiron is ready to leave the legendary Atelier

Molsheim, 19th of February 2020 A big day for the little village of Molsheim – a tradition-steeped place and home to the production site of the most exclusive hyper sports cars in the world. Three years after the first client received their brand new Chiron, production has reached its second half. After several weeks of meticulous craftsmanship, the 250th Chiron is ready to be sent out into the world. Furthermore, this Chiron Sport “Edition Noire Sportive” will be given a place of honor at the International Motor Show in Geneva.

To the brand’s president Stephan Winkelmann, this event also holds special significance: “After a year full of records, this 250th Chiron represents the cornerstone for another year of extraordinary accomplishments. Every single Chiron has proven that we are rightfully standing at the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship.”

The French luxury brand astonished car enthusiasts all over the world with the Chiron in Geneva 2016 – and the hyper sports car still remains in great demand. With 250 cars produced and more than 150 already paid for, fewer than 100 units are still available for sale. The iconic 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine with up to 1,600 hp represents the highest level of engineering artistry. Besides its impressive performance, the Chiron offers the utmost comfort and ease of driving as well as perhaps the strongest representation of true luxury: peerless exclusivity.

In the heart of the same site where once Ettore Bugatti, founder of the emblematic brand, sought inspiration, every car is created as a unique specimen, thanks to the engineers’ great expertise, attention to detail, and impressive technical sophistication – the Haute Couture of the automotive industry. Christophe Piochon, member of the board at Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S, is proud of this milestone in the history of the brand: „I feel honored to lead such an excellent and dedicated team, and I thank each and every member for their amazing work. One never gets used to the incredible feeling of seeing another Chiron leave our Atelier. Each vehicle is unique, in no way comparable to a fellow member of the Chiron family.“

Only at Bugatti, elegance meets power, tradition meets technical excellence, and uniqueness meets worldwide admiration. “Every Chiron that has left our Atelier in the past three years is a technological masterpiece. This also applies to the 250th specimen. Reaching this mark in such a short amount of time is an amazing accomplishment that fills me with pride. I am looking forward to the second half of the production cycle”, says Stephan Winkelmann.

This 250th Chiron is not only distinctive due to its role in marking the end of the first half of the production cycle. It will also adorn the Bugatti stand at the Geneva International Motor Show at the beginning of March, where clients and invited guests will have the opportunity to admire it in the configuration room for the duration of the event.

New cars for the Audi Nines athletes

• Audi supports two mountain bikers and a snowboarder 

• Sporty Audi models for German athletes 

•   Audi Nines presented by Falken mid-April at Sölden (Austria)

The Audi Nines presented by Falken and the Audi Nines MTB showcase the greatest talents on snowboards, skis and mountain bikes every year. With Erik Fedko, Lukas Knopf and Leilani Ettel, three of the elite athletes of the event series are now official Audi brand ambassadors. The athletes were handed the keys to their new company cars at Ingolstadt.

They are some of the most promising rising talents of their disciplines and have already notched up their first impressive successes at competitions all over the world: the mountain bikers Erik Fedko (21) and Lukas Knopf (23) as well as snowboarder Leilani Ettel (18) have demonstrated some spectacular tricks and jumps on the slopes and mountain bike trails. As “Friends of Audi”, the young Germans receive an Audi for two years: Fedko now drives an Audi S4 Avant (consumption combined in l/100 km: 7.6–7.5; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 175–171), with Knopf in an Audi Q3 Sportback (consumption combined in l/100 km: 7.7–4.7; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 174–123) and Ettel in an Audi Q2 (consumption combined in l/100 km: 6.6–4.4; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 150–115).

The professional athletes were handed the keys to their new vehicles by Hubert Link, Head of Marketing Germany at AUDI AG. “For several years now, the Audi Nines have been an important platform for us to captivate a young and progressive target group for Audi. I’m very pleased that we can now support three young athletes as ambassadors of our brand in their next career steps and I wish them every success,” says Link. 

During the Audi Nines, Ettel, Fedko and Knopf will be involved in the event activities as “Friends of Audi.” Snowboarder Leilani Ettel will compete in the third Audi Nines presented by Falken (13 to 18 April in Sölden) flying the Audi logo on her board. The two mountain bikers Erik Fedko and Lukas Knopf contest the Audi Nines MTB with the four rings on their mountain bikes and their jerseys. 

Audi has been involved in dynamic sports for years. In winter, the Audi Nines brings together the world’s best snowboarders and skiers, and in summer, the elites of the mountain biking scene. The setup is designed in conjunction with the athletes to offer them the best opportunities to promote their sport and show spectators their breathtaking jumps and best tricks. Audi supports the event series as a title sponsor for the third time in a row. 

Two youngsters test for Audi in Formula E

• Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi at rookie test in Marrakesh

•   Important tasks at the season’s only test 

•   Drudi and van der Linde thrilled about the “completely new challenge”

Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi will start for Audi at the Formula E rookie test in Marrakesh. A day after the fifth round of the series on February 29, the two youngsters from South Africa and Italy get one day to gain experience in the fully-electric series, and at the same time, support the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler squad with its development work.

Both Kelvin van der Linde and Mattia Drudi have long been part of the Audi family – albeit in a different discipline. Drudi joined the driver line-up of the Audi Sport customer racing team in February 2019 and contested the Spa 24 Hours, among others, at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS. Over the last few months, the 21-year-old has supported the two regular drivers, Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi, with work in the Formula E simulator. Kelvin van der Linde (23) – a member of the Audi Sport customer racing team since 2015 – has won the ADAC GT Masters drivers’ title twice, the Nürburgring 24 Hours, as well as other endurance races for Audi. 

“The test is a completely new challenge and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never driven a single-seater before, so there’s a lot to learn, because the demands on Formula E drivers are particularly complex and more varied than in GT racing,” says Kelvin van der Linde. “I’ve been following the series for ages and I have noticed how it’s becoming increasingly important, especially in light of climate discussions. Although I come from South Africa, this will actually be my first visit to another African country.”

After many hours in the virtual world, Mattia Drudi now heads into “real life” Formula E. “I’ve always supported the Formula E project with my simulator work. It’s cool to now join the Audi team on a race weekend. I’m looking forward to working with this squad,” says Drudi. “I’ll be there the whole weekend and I’m excited to see what the procedures and the atmosphere are like at the track. On television, the races look really exhilarating and the drivers and fans seem to have a great time. Gaining experience in driving the real car will also be important for my work in the simulator.”

The support from the two rookies is invaluable for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, which tackles the fifth Formula E race of the season in Marrakesh with its regular drivers Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi the day before the test. “We are all looking forward to having Mattia and Kelvin on track in our cars, they have both been in our simulator and will be working closely with our engineers preparing themselves for the rookie test. They will get lots of time in the car, in fact more than Daniel and Lucas will have during the race day, and we want to give them a real feeling for Formula E, while at the same time helping us to prepare for the next races,” says Team Principal Allan McNish.

The rookie test on Sunday, March 1, 2020, is split into a morning and afternoon session. Only drivers who have never contested a Formula E race and who do not hold an E-license are permitted to take part. 

Holden Vehicle Ssales, Design and Engineering to cease in Australia and New Zealand

MELBOURNE – The Holden brand will be retired from sales in Australia and New Zealand and local design and engineering operations will wind down by 2021, General Motors (NYSE: GM) announced today. Maven and Holden Financial Services operations will also wind down in Australia.

GM International Operations Senior Vice President Julian Blissett said GM had taken the difficult decision after implementing and considering numerous options to maintain and turn around Holden operations.

“Through its proud 160-year history, Holden has not only made cars, it has been a powerful driver of the industrialization and advancement of Australia and New Zealand,” said Blissett.

“Over recent years, as the industry underwent significant change globally and locally, we implemented a number of alternative strategies to try to sustain and improve the business, together with the local team.”

GM undertook a detailed analysis of the investment required for Holden to be competitive beyond the current generation of products. Factors impacting the business case for further investment included the highly fragmented right-hand-drive markets, the economics to support growing the brand and delivering an appropriate return on investment.

“After a comprehensive assessment, we regret that we could not prioritize the investment required for Holden to be successful for the long term in Australia and New Zealand, over all other considerations we have globally,” said Blissett.

“This decision is based on global priorities and does not reflect the hard work, talent and professionalism of the Holden team.”

GM intends to focus its growth strategy in Australia and New Zealand on the specialty vehicles business and plans to immediately work with its partner on developing these plans.

GM Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director Kristian Aquilina said that given the significance of Holden through its history, it was critical the company worked with all stakeholders to deliver a dignified and respectful wind-down.

“Holden will always have a special place in the development of our countries. As Australia and New Zealand grew, Holden was a part of the engine room fuelling that development,” said Aquilina.

“Today’s announcement will be felt deeply by the many people who love Holdens, drive Holdens and feel connected to our company which has been with us for 160 years and is almost ubiquitous in our lives.

“Unfortunately, all the hard work and talent of the Holden family, the support of our parent company GM and the passion of our loyal supporters have not been enough to overcome our challenges.

“We understand the impact of this decision on our people, our customers, our dealers, and our partners – and will work closely with all stakeholders to deliver a dignified and respectful transition.”

Holden customers can be assured that the company will honor all warranties and service offers made at the time of sale. Holden will provide servicing and spare parts for at least 10 years, through national aftersales networks in Australia and New Zealand. As required, Holden and its aftersales network will also continue to handle any recalls or safety-related issues if they arise, working with the appropriate governmental agencies.

Impacted Holden employees will be provided separation packages and employment transition support.

Holden will work with its dealer network on appropriate transition arrangements, including offering dealers the opportunity to continue as authorized service outlets to support Holden customers.

Holden Customer Care is available to answer customer inquiries and all warranties and service agreements.

Holden customers in Australia can call 1800 46 465 336 or visit www.holden.com.au;

Holden customers in New Zealand can call 0800 465 336 or visit www.holden.co.nz.

LONDON CONCOURS 2020 TO HOST STUNNING DISPLAY OF FERRARI DINOS

• The London Concours has announced the first of its special feature displays; a celebration of the Ferrari Dino, presented by Foskers

• A total of eight Ferrari Dinos, each in a different factory-original color, will gather on the ever-green lawn of London’s HAC

• The Dino is now regarded as one of the finest handling Ferraris of all time, and was built to honor Enzo Ferrari’s late son, ‘Alfredo’

• Hosted at the Honourable Artillery Company HQ from 10-11 June, the London Concours is the capital’s finest automotive garden party

• Tickets are available now from www.londonconcours.co.uk

The London Concours has announced the first of its exceptional special features; a uniquely colorful celebration of one of the most iconic Ferraris of all-time: the Dino. Presented by the UK's oldest independent Ferrari specialist, Foskers, this privately-owned collection of Dinos will be the headline feature of the capital's finest automotive garden party

Not initially badged as a Ferrari, the Dino was developed to honor the memory of Enzo Ferrari’s late son ‘Alfredo’, and has gone to become one of the most cherished models to have ever been produced at Maranello.

At the London Concours 2020, taking place from 10-11 June, a unique line-up of eight Ferrari Dino models will gather – each one in a different factory-produced color. It’s the flagship feature in a show that will see the rarefied lawns of the Honourable Artillery Company HQ – just a stone’s throw from Bank and Moorgate in the City of London – transformed into motoring nirvana for just two days. Over 100 automotive icons will gather in classes, ranging from ‘The Pursuit of Speed’ to ‘The Era of the Hypercar’.

First introduced in 1967, the Dino 206 GT was the first mid-engined car from Ferrari and the first to use a V6 at a time when all of its cars were V12-powered. The 2.0-liter V6 engine itself was adapted from one of ‘Alfredo’ Enzo’s racing car designs for road car use. And so, with the release of the new ‘Dino’ brand and the 206 GT, Ferrari stepped into the fray against the all-conquering Porsche 911.

With a lightweight aluminum body, a more compact footprint than existing Ferrari models, perfect weight distribution thanks to the transverse mid-engined layout and advanced independent double-wishbone suspension all-round, the Dino was a handling revelation. And just two years after the 206 GT’s introduction came to the Dino 246 GT to bolster its success.

With an increase in engine size to 2.4-liters – hence 246 GT – came more power and a slight increase in performance; it could have been more but Ferrari decided to switch back to heavier steel body panels, adding around 50kg to the curb weight. Nevertheless, the 246 GT was a runaway success, selling more than 3,500 between 1969 and 1974. In total around 3,700, Dino 206 and 246 GT/GTS were built, transforming Ferrari’s business and production numbers.

Showcasing the gamut of outlandish original colors offered to Dino customers, the London Concours will gather examples in Rosso Chiaro red, Grigio Ferro grey, Blu Dino, Nero black, Nuovo Giallo yellow and more. Among them is a rare ‘Chairs and Flares’ version of the Dino, just one-of-five UK-delivered examples with these sought-after additions; wide wheel arches and ‘Daytona’ seats.

Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said: “Before the Dino, Ferrari was building enormously powerful V12-engined cars in exceedingly small numbers. It’s not an overstatement to say the business was transformed by the popularity of this nimble, beautifully balanced and lightweight sports car. The Dino set a template for a whole range of mid-engined Ferrari models that continues to this day, and includes legends like the 355, 430 and even the latest F8 Tributo. It’s hard to pick just one Maranello icon to honour at London Concours this year, but our car selection committee is in total agreement; the Dino deserves time in the spotlight, and we’re more than happy to oblige.”

The London Concours 2020 takes place from 10-11 June. Tickets are available to buy now from www.londonconcours.co.uk/tickets

LOTUS LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION ELISE CUP 250

• Lotus Elise Cup 250 Bathurst Edition launched in honor of the famous race

• Challenging Mount Panorama circuit is home to one of the world's most famous endurance races – the Bathurst 12 Hour

• Lotus-owner track day at 'The Mountain' draws more than 150 enthusiastic fans

• Lotus has a long history in Australia, starting with the Tasman Series of the 1960s

(Hethel, UK – 11 February 2020) – Lotus has hosted the Southern Hemisphere’s best track day, and biggest celebration of the Lotus brand, at Australia’s greatest race circuit – Mount Panorama.

The iconic motorsport venue, home to the legendary Bathurst 12 Hour race, is steeped in competition history and etched into the psyche of car fans the world over.

Australia was the sixth-largest market globally for Lotus in 2019 and to mark that success the company has produced a highly exclusive limited edition – the Lotus Elise Cup 250 Bathurst Edition. Paying homage to the circuit and Lotus’ pedigree in motorsport on the continent, the limited-run, Australia-only cars enjoy a host of eye-catching upgrades. These include black forged alloy wheels, a special numbered build-plate, and bespoke ‘Bathurst Cup 250’ decals.

With more than 45,000 fans attending the Bathurst 12 Hour race weekend, Lotus took its place a trackside for the three-day event. There is offered a unique opportunity to more than 150 enthusiastic Lotus owners, who witnessed some of the world’s finest drivers tackle the challenging Mount Panorama circuit.

Many then drove it in their own Lotus cars, taking advantage of an on-site mentoring program that allowed them to get the most out of the experience. They were also able to sign up for hot laps with professional Lotus drivers.

Some of the world’s most illustrious and recognized racing names have claimed victory in Australia for Lotus. These include Jim Clark’s dominance in the Tasman Series during the late 1960s, through to 2013 where Kimi Raikkonen claimed Formula One success at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne.

David McIntyre, Regional Director, Asia Pacific & China, Lotus Cars joined the group at Bathurst and commented: “It’s great to kick the year off in Australia, a market that was very successful for us in 2019. Lotus and Australia have a long and rich history and we are committed to building on this close relationship moving forward.”

He added: “Through stand-out events such as the Lotus-only track day, we will continue to build the brand across Australia, adding to the success we experienced last year. Globally 2020 is an exciting year for us, with the first of our all-electric Lotus Evija models being delivered to customers.”

CONTINENTAL GT SHOWS BREADTH OF ABILITY; WINS BATHURST 12 HOUR, WOWS CROWDS AT GP ICE RACE

• Continental GT derivatives perform on both sides of the world

• In Australia, Bentley wins Bathurst 12 Hour with Continental GT3

• In Austria, W12-powered Continental GT ice racer makes debut at famous GP Ice Race

(Crewe, 3 February 2020) – The Continental GT has demonstrated its extraordinary breadth of ability this weekend, first by taking overall victory in Continental GT3 form at the Bathurst 12 Hour, and then with a stunning debut of the Ice Race Continental GT at the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See.

The #7 Continental GT3 of Maxime Soulet (BEL), Jordan Pepper (ZAR) and Jules Gounon (FRA) dominated the opening round of the 2020 Intercontinental GT Challenge at Bathurst, sweeping to victory after starting P11.

The car moved quickly through the order into podium contention. World-class stints from Soulet, Pepper, and Gounon, and strong strategy and pit stops from the team, moved the team into P1 for a total time of seven hours – with the car running flawlessly. A superb reactionary pit-stop just over an hour from the end to deal with a puncture was the final act from the team to set the car up for victory. Rain loomed while ambient temperatures exceeded 40°C, but after the half-day sprint, the #7 Continental GT3 crossed the line as the winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour. As they took the chequered flag, the crew also set a new race distance record of 314 laps - before the heavens opened and the team rejoiced in the rain.

Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Paul Williams, comments: “What a weekend. Our crew has been pushed to its limits but shown that whatever racing throws at you, you must never give up. It’s been a long-deserved Intercontinental GT Challenge win for our Continental GT3 – we’ve been in contention many times, especially here at Bathurst, so it feels good to finally make it stick. It’s a great way to start our season and we hope it is a sign of things to come for our customer teams around the world as we embark on our largest motorsport programme to date.”

While the Continental GT3 scored a victory in the debut race of its 2020 campaign, on the other side of the world Bentley’s weekend of racing continued in Zell am See, Austria, where a specially prepared Continental GT competed in the famous GP Ice Race.

Driven by Junior World Rally Championship driver Catie Munnings (GBR), and running in a livery that paid homage to its record-breaking compatriot from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2019, the Ice Race Continental GT marked Bentley’s first appearance at the GP Ice Race. Completing several timed runs and demonstration laps, Munnings deployed the 635 PS (626 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque from the car’s W12 twin-turbocharged TSI engine through Pirelli studded tires.

Following her timed runs, Munnings then teamed up with professional Bomber skier Sven Rauber for a demonstration of skijoring, where a skier it towed at speed behind a car in a tradition dating back to the 1928 Olympic Winter in St. Moritz, when skiers were drawn by riderless horses.

The car had been kept as close to production standard as possible, with minimal changes for safety compliance including a rear roll cage, onboard fire suppression system, racing seats, and harnesses. The car’s air suspension was raised for greater ground clearance, and arch extensions accommodated a 15 mm increase in track width. A brace of Lazer high-performance lights, a custom exhaust system from Akrapovic and a bespoke roof rack holding a pair of Bomber x Bentley skis completed the spec of the Ice Race Continental GT.

The next round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge is the 24 Hours of Spa in July. Bentley and M-Sport’s attention will now return to the customer racing teams and the new Bentley Motorsport Academy, along with expanded testing and development programs. Meanwhile, the Ice Race Continental GT will return to the UK, ahead of an upcoming road trip to the Geneva Motorshow in March.

Never been a better time to go Hybrid with Motorpoint

• There’s never been a better time to go hybrid with over £18,000 worth of savings off new list price available on a number of the most popular nearly new models at Motorpoint

• These include the Audi A3, BMW 2 and 3 Series, Hyundai Ioniq and Mitsubishi Outlander among others

• A recent poll by the UK’s leading independent car retailer revealed over 50% of drivers would seriously consider buying a hybrid in 2020

There’s never been a better time for motorists to go hybrid thanks to Motorpoint.

The UK’s largest independent car retailer, which has a network of branches throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, is offering savings of over £18,000 off new list price on a wide range of nearly new editions of some of the most popular plug-in hybrid cars on the road today.

These include the highly rated, hot hatch-Esque Audi A3 1.4 TFSI E-Tron 5dr S Tronic which is available from Motorpoint for £21,999, a saving of £18,201 off new list price or the family-friendly Kia Niro 1.6 GDi Hybrid 2 5dr DCT for £16,599, a saving of £6,936 off new list price.

Motorpoint recently conducted a web poll on its website – motorpoint.co.uk – which found that 51.5% of motorists quizzed would seriously consider buying a plug-in hybrid in the next 12 months and as a result, is charging ahead with plans to make owning a hybrid as affordable as possible with savings off list price of almost £20,000 on a comprehensive model range covering everything from city cars such as the Toyota Yaris through to premium SUVs like the Kia Niro and executive saloons like the Mercedes Benz C Class.

Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Motorpoint, explained: “We’re seeing an ever-increasing number of hybrid cars on our roads, with advances in technology making them a realistic option for more and more owners. “And now there’s never been a better time to go hybrid at Motorpoint with huge savings off list price on a wide range of nearly new models, all of which are available to drive away the same day from our network of branches throughout the UK.”

Top 5 Money-Saving Hybrid Cars

1. Audi A3 1.4 TFSI E-Tron 5dr S Tronic  - Price: £19,999 (a saving of £19,766 off new list price)

2. Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 PHEV 4HS 5dr – Price: £22,599 (a saving of £18,901 off new list price)

3. BMW 225 XE Sport 5dr – Price: £18,599 (a saving of £18,441 off new list price)

4. Mercedes-Benz C350E Sport 4dr – Price: £21,999 (a saving of £18,111 off new list price)

5. Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 GDI Hybrid SE 5dr – Price: £14,599 (a saving of £6,791 off new list price)

Motorpoint stocks over 7,0000 low mileage, nearly new cars all under three years old and with less than 25,000 miles, from 30 different manufacturers. Every vehicle will come with the balance of manufacturer’s warranty and is available to drive away the same day.

Motorpoint is also committed to making the car buying easy which is why backed by the Motorpoint Price Promise, it will also refund the difference to any customer within seven days of their order if they find the same car from a competitor. As an added bonus, it will also give the customer £50 worth of Amazon vouchers to spend.

For more information about Motorpoint visit www.motorpoint.co.uk

ASTON MARTIN PARTNERS WITH PACIFIC D’STATION RACING FOR ASSAULT ON JAPANESE SUPER GT CHAMPIONSHIP

• Aston Martin renews attack on premier Japanese series with Vantage GT3

• Works driver Nicki Thiim set to make Super GT debut at Okayama

• Aston Martin Racing technical partner Michelin boosts title challenge

Monday 3 February 2020, Gaydon: Aston Martin will return to the Japanese Autobacs Super GT Championship in 2020 for a renewed assault on the GT300 class with its partner team PACIFIC D’station Racing and the Vantage GT3.

Following a strong debut season for the Aston Martin Racing-built Vantage GT3 in Japan, where it took two Super Taikyu victories, won the opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series in Shanghai last November and showed significant promise in Super GT, PACIFIC D’station Racing returns with a highly competitive package and a statement of intent.

Joining the team for this year is works driver and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) GTE class leader Nicki Thiim (DEN), who drives alongside multiple Super GT class race-winner Tomonobu Fujii (J) returning for a second season with Aston Martin. Moreover, in a series renowned for its fiercely contested tire competition, Michelin will supply the team

“Japan is one my favourite places to race,” said Thiim. “We won the WEC round at Fuji last year, but also many of the circuits are a serious challenge for the drivers and the country is one of the best we visit. To be able to fight for a title in one of the most competitive GT series in the world with Aston Martin is an honour and a great opportunity. The Vantage GT3 proved how fast it is everywhere last year, and I think with this team we have a great chance to fight.”

David King, President of Aston Martin Racing said: “Our partner PACIFIC D’station Racing has put together a highly promising package that I expect to be able to compete at the front of the GT300 class in Japan. It’s a very important market for the Vantage GT3 to break into and as our customer team expansion continues around the world, I anticipate that success in Japan will help us to capitalise on the interest we are already seeing in the region.”

The first round of the Super GT Championship takes place at Okayama on 11-12 April 2020.

Redding 2nd and Davies 5th with the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati as Portimao testing closes

The second 2020 test session, held at the Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portimao (Portugal), ended with an excellent result for Scott Redding and Chaz Davies who finished in 2nd and 5th positions respectively.

It was an intense two days testing for Aruba.it Racing - Ducati riders who continued the setup work started last week at Jerez De La Frontera.

After finishing the first session on top, Scott Redding (199 laps completed in total) repeated himself on the second day of activity, recording very interesting lap-times especially on the race pace, before finishing with the second-fastest time overall (1'40.883) just 79 thousandths of a second off Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).

It has been two profitable days for Chaz Davies also, as the welsh rider collected important data for the first round of the 2020 WorldSBK season scheduled at the end of February in Australia. After the 59 laps completed in Day-1, finished in 7th position and with the top speed of the day (318.6 km/h), the Welshman completed 73 laps in the second day pushing the time attack (1'41.599) to end in 5th position.

Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #45) 1'40.883 (2nd) "It was a good day even though, to be honest, I couldn't find the ideal pace. On a few occasions, I found traffic on the track and when I tried the new tires, the four almost consecutive red flags didn't allow me to lap consistently. The result of the test is still very positive, considering that this is a circuit where I only rode once in the past and it can't be considered the most favorable for Ducati. All things considered, we have worked very well and I am satisfied".

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #7) 1'41.599 (5th) "It's been a busy couple of days. We were lucky because the weather helped us to carry on with our work. We tried new solutions: some of them gave positive results, while on other aspects we will have to work further. The lap-times? We will return to Portugal in September and the track conditions will be completely different so the Crono wasn't our first target. In view of the first Grand Prix in Australia, I feel much more ahead of what I felt last year".

Born to race . . . Introducing the tera ®

To be Launched at Race Retro, Stoneleigh (21-23 February)

Photo credit: Building the Legend

Introducing the tera ®, Building The Legend Limited’s own unique quad-cam V12 engine. The type of power unit which could have been heard howling down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans in 1966 and beyond.

A beautifully sculptural engine and unashamedly “of the period”. Designed to be seen and with a purposeful beauty hinting at the power laying within.

The tera ® draws inspiration from Claude Baily’s (former Chief Designer, Jaguar) legendary quad-cam racing engine – an engine designed to power the sublime 1966 XJ13 Le Mans Prototype and return Jaguar to its glory days of Le Mans triumphs and domination. Sadly, the XJ13 was destined to never turn a wheel in anger and the potential of its mighty power-unit was never fully realized. Instead, Jaguar re-designed Baily’s racing engine into a SOHC version more suited for road-use in their rather more sedate road cars.

In the words of Jaguar’s Walter “Wally” Hassan …

“… Between 1949 and 1957 Jaguar was actively involved in motor racing in order to create the sporting image for their cars. Amongst their successes were the winning of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in the years of 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956 & 1957 as well as Sebring and many other international races and rallies. These cars were powered by the six-cylinder XK twin-cam engine and it was thought to be desirable to develop a successor to compete in future races, particularly Le Mans …. in order to provide the maximum potential in power, a 12 cylinder ‘Vee’ configuration … was conceived to provide for safe running at 8000-8500 RPM. By way of comparison, the 6 cylinders twin cam XK engine had been designed without racing in mind.

… during the development period, it was decided to withdraw from racing and these policy changes eliminated the need for a competition engine and emphasis shifted to the production (SOHC) version.”

Photo credit: Building the Legend

Photo credit: Building the Legend

Drawing inspiration from Baily’s V12 and other classic racing engines of the period, Building The Legend’s tera ® represents an evolution of Baily’s concept. A “what might have been”. An engine born to race but whose potential was never fully realized – until now …

The engine is, of course, normally-aspirated and drivers of these cars will gain the full visceral experience of a howling V12 race-engine. Distributor-less with choice of period Lucas Mechanical or Electronic Fuel injection. Safe running rev-limit of 8,000 to 8,500 rpm. Available from street-spec to full-race. Applications of this engine are limited only by your imagination!

Building the Legend can upgrade your Classic Jaguar! From a “refresh”, engine-swap, full-restoration and everything in between.

Engine Specifications:

Capacity:         6.1 L (372 cu in); 6.8 L (415 cu in)

Bore x Stroke:  96 x 70 mm (3.8” x 2.8”); 96 x 78.5 mm (3.8” x 3.1”)

Power:             250 – 650 hp   (261 – 485 kW)

Torque:            300 – 600 lb ft (407 – 813 Nm)

Compression:  11.7:1

2-valve, over-square architecture, duplex-chain-driven cams with convenient Vernier adjustment.

Public launch:

To hear more about it, why not come and visit them at Race Retro on stand 2-136 21-23 February 2020 | Stoneleigh Park, Coventry

For further information visit: www.BuildingTheLegend.co.uk

Oklahoma Introduces Bill to Require Front and Rear Plates on All Vehicles

From SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff Desk

SEMA-opposed legislation (H.B. 3899) has been introduced in Oklahoma to require front and rear license plates on all vehicles. Currently, vehicles are required to display only a single, rear-mounted license plate. If passed, H.B. 3899 would fail to protect the aesthetic contours of collector cars and force vehicle owners to take on the burden and cost of having to create mounting holes on bumpers.

The bill awaits consideration in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

Wisconsin Introduces Bill to Restrict Eligibility and Increase Fees for Collector and Hobbyist Vehicles

From SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff Desk SEMA-opposed legislation (A.B. 860) has been introduced in Wisconsin to restrict eligibility and raise fees for collector and hobbyist vehicle registrations. Currently, these vehicles must be more than 20 years old and are required to pay twice the registration fee as the type of vehicle being registered. If passed, A.B. 860 would further limit each designation to vehicles 30 years old and older, expand seasonal use restrictions, and increase the registration fees to three times the normal rate.

In Wisconsin, a collector vehicle is defined as being at least 20 years old, preserved because of historical significance, and having had no body alterations. Vehicles eligible for hobbyist plates include street modifieds, replica vehicles, reconstructed vehicles, and homemade vehicles.

The bill awaits consideration in the Assembly Committee on Transportation. For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

AMR Drivers’ Club reveals three headline events for 2020

• Exclusive Aston Martin track events to be held throughout 2020 at Hockenheim, Dijon, and Zandvoort

• Aston Martin Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon to make guest appearances

11 February 2020, Gaydon, UK: Aston Martin has revealed the headline events for the AMR Drivers’ Club in 2020. Iconic racing circuits including Hockenheim in Germany, Dijon in France and Zandvoort in the Netherlands will host the British luxury carmaker’s bespoke track experiences.

Since its introduction in 2019, the AMR Drivers’ Club has delivered nearly 4,000 exhilarating laps to guests at seven circuits in six different countries and will continue to offer adrenalin-fueled experiences in 2020.

2020’s track events will continue to provide customers with the opportunity to participate in experiences that range from the half-day Discovery Course all the way through to the AMR Academy, which is a 1.5-day experience with one-to-one driver coaching, hospitality, and accommodation.

The AMR Drivers’ Club is open to everyone. With a fleet of track-prepared sports cars, each event is a great opportunity for anyone to discover the Aston Martin brand. Aston Martin owners can choose to bring their own car with them or drive one of the fleet cars available.

Karin Fink, Head of Global Motorsport Marketing at Aston Martin said: “It was a pleasure to welcome nearly 300 guests in 2019 to the first year of our track experience programme. Whether you choose to drive one of our sports cars or your own Aston Martin, our experienced instructors will ensure you get the most from your track time. The events are designed to provide all drivers with exciting on-track experiences, from enjoying your first drive in an Aston Martin to fulfilling a desire to hone your track skills, the AMR Drivers’ Club is the event for you.”

The program will commence with Hockenheim ring, venue of the 2019 German Grand Prix, on 27/28 May 2020. The next date on the calendar is a visit to the Dijon-Prenois Circuit on 29/30 July 2020; which remains a firm favorite amongst drivers due to its fast, sweeping bends. The AMR Drivers’ Club will host its third event of the year at Zandvoort on 29-30 September 2020. The popularity of Formula One in The Netherlands continues to soar and this unique circuit – featuring the newly-created banked turns ahead of the circuit’s return to the F1TM calendar in 2020 will provide a fantastic driving experience to guests at the event.

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon will once again be supporting the AMR Drivers’ Club, and one of the drivers will be present at each venue to offer expert advice throughout the day.   

In addition to these three headline events, the AMR Drivers’ Club will also be running a number of experiences at Aston Martin’s Test & Development Centre at Stowe Circuit, Silverstone offering even more opportunities to push the Aston Martin range to the limit.

Bookings are now being taken for the 2020 AMR Drivers’ Club events. To learn more about the AMR Driver’s Club or to book experiences, please visit www.astonmartin.com/amrdriversclub or contact trackdays@astonmartinevents.com.  

Ducati closes 2019 on a high, with bike sales topping 53,000

• 53,183 Ducati bikes delivered to customers in 90 countries

• Italy remains the number one market. Double-digit growth in China, Brazil, and Spain

• For the second year running, the Panigale is the world's best-selling superbike. A record number of advance orders for the new Streetfighter V4, with deliveries to begin in March 2020

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 14 January 2020 – Ducati Motor Holding closes 2019 with 53,183 bikes delivered to customers worldwide, nudging last year's figure of 53,004 bikes even higher.

A major contribution to this result came from the Panigale: with sales totaling 8,304, it retains the market leadership established in 2018 and confirms its status as the world's best-selling superbike with a market share of 25%.

Two new bikes introduced in 2019 - the Hypermotard 950 and Diavel 1260 - racked up sales of 4,472 and 3,129 respectively, doubling the overall volumes achieved in 2018 by previous versions. The Multistrada family performed equally well, scoring a 3% increase compared to 2018 (thanks also to the addition of the 950 S and a revamped 1260 Enduro); deliveries totaled 12,160, the best sales performance since the Bologna-built multi-bike made its debut sixteen years ago.

Sales figures for 2019 have reinforced Ducati's position at the premium end of the motorcycle market.

"2019 was a tough but also rewarding year. We're working to make Ducati the world's most desirable motorcycle brand", stated Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, "and the results we're achieving, the development of the range and the market response all confirm we're on the right track. In today's global market, one in every four superbikes is now a Panigale. The technical content we've transferred from the R version and our extensive racing experience to the V4 2020 range ensure this bike remains the category benchmark. What's more, order books for the new Streetfighter V4 are bulging - more than 1,700 are already on order - and deliveries will begin in March 2020."

"We're satisfied with the results achieved in 2019", adds Francesco Milicia, Global Sales VP. "Over the last twelve months, a major network development plan has been implemented, with 54 new dealerships in 20 countries. This expansion plan will continue this year in order to further improve the world-wide network coverage and offer our fans a growing premium experience."

Sales in Italy continue to grow, confirming the country as Ducati’s number one market. Bike sales totaled 9,474, a 3% improvement in 2018 and a 20% increase over the last three years. In the United States, Ducati deliveries totaled 7,682 motorcycles, down by just 2% despite the continuing negative trend which saw the market shrink by 7% compared to 2018. Brazil (+20%), Spain (+10%) and France (+8%), however, performed exceedingly well. China, a country where the Italian brand is particularly appreciated, continued the upward trend of recent years and is, with 3,200 motorcycles sold (+12%), now the Bologna-based bike manufacturer's fifth most important market.

This positive end to 2019 allows Ducati to look into the future with confidence. For 2020, the product range is now even more complete and dealerships will soon be taking delivery of the long-awaited Streetfighter V4. The Panigale can - in addition to the introduction of the new V2 - also count on a major upgrade to the V4 that will boost performance and enhance rideability.

For globetrotters and those who want to enjoy long-distance adventures in outstanding comfort, the Multistrada family sees the arrival of the new Grand Tour.

Last but not least, the Ducati Scrambler range - which saw the new 800 Dark presented at EICMA - will see the introduction of a new model in the coming months.

The only car capable of filming the 2020 GT-R NISMO? Another GT-R

Precision driving expert transforms Nissan sports car into a high-performance camera rig

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb 7th, 2020) – Nissan developed the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO to be the pinnacle of the iconic nameplate. For maximum performance, the engine was upgraded, its aerodynamics further enhanced, and weight was shed through the meticulous use of exotic materials.

But when the time came to document the newest Nissan super sports car in its natural habitat – on the track – there was one problem. How to film it?

Enter Mauro Calo. A professional precision driver and automotive video expert is known for his work on big-budget blockbuster movies and automotive TV shows, he has the perfect car to chase and film the 2020 GT-R NISMO – another GT-R.

While Nissan helped locate a suitable GT-R to be transformed into a purpose-built camera car, Calo was already working on the design. Once the car arrived, he and his team fitted a bespoke tubular structure that was welded to the chassis and able to hold the weight of the professional carbon-fiber gimbal camera mounting system.

Nissan GT-R: the ultimate high-speed camera car

Until Calo realized his ambition of developing the ultimate high-speed camera car, the vehicle of choice for this type of filming would be a high-performance SUV. However, SUVs lack the speed or agility to follow the world’s fastest performance cars on track.

Thanks to its low center of gravity, adjustable sports suspension, and four-seater configuration, the GT-R is the perfect base car to accommodate a camera rig of this type. And once the performance of the twin-turbo 3.8 V6 is deployed via its advanced all-wheel-drive system, it’s easy to see why Calo chose it.

“When I started to think about developing a high-performance camera car, I quickly realized that the Nissan GT-R was the only car that would meet my criteria,” said Calo. “It has supercar performance, with outstanding all-wheel drive handling and stability. It’s famously reliable, and it can seat the team I need to operate the camera system. There were no other contenders.”

Fabulous footage of the world’s fastest cars

Not many GT-R customers regularly use all four seats, but a typical shoot requires a full camera crew. With Calo at the wheel, a gimbal operator, a focus puller and a director can be in the car at the same time – ensuring fabulous high-definition footage of the world’s fastest cars at high speed (with all safety precautions taken, on a closed circuit, of course).

“I knew already, from driving it on photo and video shoots, what a great car the Nissan GT-R is,” Calo said. “But since I adapted my Nissan GT-R to be a high-speed camera car and have been using it to film some of the world’s fastest cars on track, my respect and appreciation of its performance, reliability and stability has only increased. It amazes me and the teams I work with every time we use it.”

So there was no choice as to which vehicle would be able to shoot the fastest and most capable GT-R ever created – the 2020 GT-R NISMO.

With careful choreography planned in advance and coordinated via walkie-talkie, the two GT-Rs chased each other around the Lausitzring racetrack in Brandenburg, Germany, as part of the GT-R NISMO’s media preview event. The recorded footage has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and other social media platforms.

BAC LAUNCHES CELEBRATORY ‘MONO ONE’ FINAL-EDITION TRIO, WITH BRAND-NEW BAC MONO SET FOR GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Liverpool, Thursday 6th February 2020

• Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has officially launched ‘Mono One’ – the last-of-the-line editions of the iconic British supercar

• Liverpool-based company will manufacture just three final Mono’s in a totally unique spec to celebrate the end of a remarkable generation

• Mono One represents a true collector’s item and the rarest model ever manufactured by Briggs Automotive Company, with Iconic White, Carbon Black and Neon Red editions available

• Super-limited trio feature the likes of visible carbon lower bodies, special-edition carbon hybrid wheels, unique logos paying homage to the car’s original design inspiration, commemorative plaques, colored decals and a striking helmet scheme as standard

• Off the back of the Mono One launch, BAC will be presenting a brand-new generation of Mono to the world at the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 from 2-15 March

Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has officially launched ‘Mono One’ – a celebratory final edition of the iconic original single-seater supercar. The rarest model ever produced by BAC, just three examples of Mono One will be available worldwide: Iconic White, Carbon Black and Neon Red.

The Mono One special-edition trio brings to an end one of the most remarkable eras in British automotive history: BAC Mono. After 10 global production car lap records, dozens of high-profile awards and a number of revolutionary world firsts in the automotive industry, BAC is now ready to launch a brand-new generation of Mono to the world at the Geneva International Motor Show 2020. Mono One will be the final models manufactured before the new car goes into production for summer 2021.

As such, Mono One represents a true collector’s item, with a totally unique specification and a whole host of special-edition options as standard marking the trio out from Mono’s past.

The three editions of Mono One are made up out of BAC’s three corporate colors: white, black and red. They all feature visible carbon lower bodies, special-edition carbon-hybrid wheels finished in a unique color scheme, brand new and unique logos across the car and commemorative plaques as standard, plus the usual scope for bespoke Mono personification, including made-to-measure seat and steering wheel.

BAC’s design team paid homage to Bjork’s 1999 ‘All Is Full Of Love’ music video when it came to creating Mono One, as the robot within said video inspired the car’s primary aesthetic when it was first designed over a decade ago. A Bjork-robot-inspired logo features on the wing and the headrest across Iconic White, Carbon Black and Neon Red editions.

The Iconic White edition sports the most famous colour of BAC Mono: gloss white – the colour of the first-ever Mono launched in 2011 at the Retro Classics Show in Stuttgart and indeed the most popular spec for Mono owners over the past decade.

The Carbon Black Mono One features stunning black visible carbon bodywork, with contrasting red logos, stitching and carbon-hybrid-wheel decals providing a striking edge. The Neon Red edition, meanwhile, is finished in an imposing red colour scheme with white painted body decals and sharp red detailing.

On top of a long list of standard features, Mono One also comes with a one-off helmet with Bjork-robot-inspired livery, accentuating the concept of the driver as an integral part of the car.

Ian Briggs, BAC Co-Founder and Design Director, said: “Mono One marks the end of a truly incredible era for BAC and, of course, Mono. We wanted to give Mono the perfect send-off and this car does exactly that – it’s super rare, with only three available, and has endless unique features that make it serious proposition for collectors. It’s the last chance to own a future classic! When we first designed Mono and drew inspiration from Bjork’s video, we did so with a dream of sharing the experience with our close friends and having a lot of fun in the process – never could we have ever visualised our growth around the world and just how many remarkable garages Mono now finds itself part of. It’s now time for a new generation of BAC Mono and a new bid for world domination. See you in Geneva.”

BAC will be exhibiting at the Geneva International Motor Show 2020 from 2-15 March.

Price: £158,950

Key Statistics

BAC Mono

Maximum speed: 170mph

0-60mph: 2.7 seconds

Maximum Power: 305bhp

Maximum Torque: 308Nm

Dry Weight: 580kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 525bhp per tonne

BAC Mono R

Maximum speed: 170mph

0-60mph: 2.5 seconds

Maximum Power: 340bhp

Dry Weight: 555kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 612bhp per tonne

Social Media and Online

Instagram: @DiscoverMono

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BACMono

Twitter: @DiscoverMono

YouTube: www.youtube.com/DiscoverMono

Website: www.bac-mono.com

From Europe with love…continental supercars lead the pack

• Brexit beaters…As the UK exits the EU, research shows that European supercar marques are the most popular to drive with Brits!

• TrackDays.co.uk reports nearly half of all bookings for supercar experiences are for exotic European marques

• This compares to just 19 percent for British supercar marques despite being as many to choose from

As the UK leaves the EU, new data shows that Brits are in love with one European export…its supercars.

Indeed, bookings for Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, BMWs, and Audis with leading driving experience provider www.trackdays.co.uk are outpacing other supercars from different parts of the world, including the UK, America, and Japan.

Photo credit: TrackDays.co.uk

From Europe with love…nearly half of all bookings for supercar experiences are for exotic European marques

compared to 19 per cent for British supercars despite being as many to choose from.

Nearly half of all bookings for its supercar experiences, 44 percent, were for prestige models manufactured in mainland Europe, while just 19 percent were for UK models despite nearly half of all supercar marques available being British.

Dan Jones, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “The UK has now left the EU but our appreciation of the pinnacle of European automotive engineering is stronger than ever.

“Whether it’s Italian styling or German engineering, Brits can’t get enough of driving some of the fastest European supercars, many capable of reaching 200 mph.”

TrackDays.co.uk has also revealed the most popular supercars for driving experiences by individual models with six out of the top ten coming from mainland Europe. These were the Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, Ferrari 430, Ferrari 360, BMW i8 and Porsche 911 Carrera.

Dan added: “It’s great to see that we’re as close to our European cousins as ever, well at least when it comes to our love of exotic supercars!”

For more information about TrackDays.co.uk, or to discover the other European supercars available to drive that also include the Porsche GT3 RS, Porsche Cayman and Ferrari 458, visit www.trackdays.co.uk

Jenson Team Rocket RJN confirms 2020 GT World Challenge Europe entry with McLaren 720S GT3

• British team switches to the McLaren 720S GT3 for the 2020 season

• Second 720S GT3 confirmed for the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS

• Full Endurance Cup entry will see the 720S GT3 compete at the 24 Hours of Spa for the first time

The McLaren 720S GT3 will join the grid with Jenson Team Rocket RJN after the British team confirmed entry into the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS for the 2020 season. The team, established by 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, will take on the full five-date Endurance Cup calendar including one round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Total 24 Hours of Spa. The driver line-up for the season will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The 2019 season saw Jenson Team Rocket RJN debut in the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS – formerly the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup – debuting at the season-opener in Monza and taking a season-best 4th-place finish in the Silver Cup at the Total 24 Hours of Spa.

This announcement sees Jenson Team Rocket RJN as the latest team to join McLaren Customer Racing, switching to the 720S GT3. The latest GT3 racecar from McLaren enters its second competitive season in 2020, contesting the GT World Challenge Europe for the first time.

“It is great to have Jenson Team Rocket RJN join the Customer Racing family for 2020. The GT World Challenge Europe offers probably the biggest challenge in GT3 racing and the 720S GT3 has kicked off the year with a strong result on its Bathurst 12 Hour debut last weekend, taking an outright podium and class victory. We now have a strong foundation to build on, and this latest programme with Jenson Team Rocket RJN is extremely exciting for the new season ahead.”Ian Morgan, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive

“It is exciting to confirm that Jenson Team Rocket RJN will be campaigning the 720S GT3 and racing with McLaren this season. The GT World Challenge Europe grid gets stronger and stronger every year, and the racing is amongst the best in the world. We go into the season full of confidence with a team boasting huge experience and a car which has already proven itself as a race winner.”Jenson Button, 2009 Formula 1 world champion.

The first round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup takes place in Monza, Italy, over the weekend 17-19 April.

Silverstone Auctions DOUBLE DELIGHT, A PAIR OF ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE RALLY GT CARS AND TWO INVICTUS GAMES JAGUAR F-TYPES

• Two of only four Aston Martin Vantage Rally GT cars built by Prodrive to be offered

• A comprehensive spares package is also included

• A pair of unique Jaguar F-Types that competed in the 2018-19 British GT Championship

• Specially commissioned and run under the Invictus Games Foundation banner for injured servicemen

Two very special lots will be going under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions Race Retro sale on the 21st and 22nd February. A pair of rally prepared Aston Martins and two Invictus Games Jaguar F-Types.

Both lots are very unusual and very exciting as it offers any potential purchaser the chance to own rare and also unique competition cars.

Lot 213 is Silverstone’s first pairing, the Aston Martin Vantage GT Rally cars prepared by Prodrive. Built during Prodrive’s V8 Vantage production of the GT2, GT3, and GT4, they investigated the possibility of rallying a Vantage and built just four of these cars.

Two of these cars ended up in private hands and were entrusted by the current owner to Aston Martin race preparation specialist David Appleby Engineering where they maintained and had great success.

R4L 7Y is a complete car but hasn’t seen action for some time and will, therefore, require recommissioning. It is a potent force with a suggested 420bhp a Hewland six-speed sequential gearbox with upgraded Prodrive WRC brakes.

OU06 ETJ was being prepared for the European Rally class and will require completion as it has been partially stripped. It comes with all the necessary parts in order to be rally ready.

By offering both cars as one Lot, potential buyers will also gain a significant spares package, which, according to the vendor includes approximately 50 wheels and tires, three Hewland sequential gearboxes, and many other parts.

These two Aston Martin Rally cars provide a very rare and exciting opportunity. When completed they will almost certainly attract attention and invitations. Due to family illnesses, they are now being offered at auction with a very reasonable estimate of £90,000 to £110,000. This is a very tempting prospect.

Their next Lot, 226, is a pair of unique Jaguar F-Type SVR GT4 race cars and spares package. This is one amazing story.

Invictus Games was created by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex as an international adaptive multi-sport event for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel. In 2018 Invictus Racing was set up to offer those in the armed forces who had suffered, the opportunity to compete in the 2018-19 British GT Championship.

To make this happen James Holder, co-founder of the clothing brand Superdry, the Invictus Games Foundation and Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations department collaborated to create a race team using two specially developed F-Types. The team was to be run by the very successful David Appleby Engineering.

2018 was a very steep learning curve in the very competitive British GT Championship and 2019 the rewards came with GT4 Pro/Am class wins at Oulton Park in races 1 and 2, and 2nd at Snetterton and Spa.

Both cars campaigned in 2018 and in 2019 the attention was focused on the one car with the other being used for testing purposes.

Estimated at £200,000 to £250,000 for two GT race cars, including an extensive spares package, is a very exciting prospect, bearing in mind a huge amount of expense far above the estimate has been put into this extremely special and unique project.

The story behind it speaks for itself.

Harry Whale Silverstone Auctions Sales Manager commented: “Both these lots are really special, and we are very honored to have been chosen to offer the Invictus Games Racing F-Types.”

“The Aston Martin Rally cars are so rare and the only two in the UK. These present as a unique opportunity to go rallying in something that you would never have imagined take to the forest stages of Wales.”

“We are all very appreciative of our armed forces and what they do for our country and the sacrifices they give. The Invictus Games Foundation is an amazing initiative and these cars and the team offered a wonderful opportunity for our servicemen to compete in one of top GT categories.”

“Any interested parties in either of these lots are encouraged to contact us as there is so much more information on the cars than is possible to describe.”

The two-day auction will be preceded with an automobilia sale offering a selection of watches, signed prints, books, luggage and other items of automobilia.

Silverstone Auctions Race Retro Show auction takes place on the 21st and 22nd of February. The team can be contacted on 01926 691141 or email enquiries@silverstoneauctions.com and would be happy to talk with you about any of the Lots on offer. Alternatively, you can speak with them on the day.