The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy Celebration race at the 2012 Goodwood Revival was held Sunday, September 16th at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in West Sussex, England.
The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy Celebration, for closed-cockpit GT cars in the spirit of the RAC TT races of 1960-1964, is annually the most celebrated race at the Goodwood Revival. The one-hour, two-driver RAC TT Celebration 2012 featured a spectacular grid of super-rare GT cars racing in anger, driven by great aces past and present. The grid once again offered a stunning selection of internationally-renowned historic racing cars, including the Ferrari 250 GTO, GT SWB and 330 LMB; Aston Martin DB4GT, Zagato and Project cars; Jaguar E-Types; Maserati Tipo 151; among others.
Another notable entry on the RAC TT Celebration grid was the reconstruction of the Maserati Tipo 151/3 that its racing debut at the 2012 Goodwood Revival. Using the engine, transmission and brakes from the original 1964/5 Le Mans car, the car is clothed in the Drogo designed body created by Allegretti, who built the original on the very same buck that the Maserati factory used in period. With its thundering 5-litre, fuel-injected V8, the streamlined monster was piloted by owner Barrie Baxter, and Le Mans and Grand Prix winner, Jochen Mass.
Jump to RAC Tourist Trophy Photo Gallery and Results
The one-hour RAC TT Celebration race fell to the mighty Jaguar E-type ‘Lightweight’ of Martin Brundle and car owner Adrian Newey. The result was all the more remarkable as Red Bull design chief Newey spun off at St Mary’s on the first lap as Gary Pearson challenged on the inside aboard his Jaguar E-type. Newey had to watch the entire field go by before he was able to return trackside.
It was one-time Grand Prix winner Jean Alesi who starred initially aboard the Ferrari 250 GTO he was sharing with former TT winner, Mark Hales. However, he swiftly tumbled down the order as John Young took charge on the second lap with Pearson only inches behind. However, man on the move was Joe Colasacco who had claimed the Chichester Cup on Saturday. The American tore through the field in Lawrence Auriana’s fabulous Maserati Tipo 151 and was up to fifth at quarter-distance before getting tangled up with backmarkers on the run towards Fordwater. The Maserati connected heavily with the bank with its driver emerging shaken but otherwise unhurt.
The safety car was deployed to clear up the mess, with Newey – who had blasted his way from last to fifth place 20 minutes into the hour-long race – pitting to hand over to Brundle. The pitlane was suddenly very busy, with Brundle emerging in second place behind Bobby Verdon-Roe who had taken over Young’s Jaguar. The 2008 race winner couldn’t contain Brundle as racing resumed shortly before half-distance, the Formula One TV pundit streaking past into Lavant 16 laps in. And the positions remained static, with the third place E-type of Tiff Needell and Joaquin Folch some way down the road. Brundle’s margin of victory was an incredible 29 seconds.
After the race Newey said, “I was pretty angry after what happened on the first lap but really enjoyed it after that.”
Brundle commented, “Adrian’s pace was brilliant, the Lanzante team did a brilliant pitstop and I just had to work the traffic after that.”
Similar to our 2011 Royal TT Celebration and 2010 Royal TT Celebration race coverage, Senior Photographer Tim Scott also documented the 2012 Goodwood Revival, including the following pictures from the headline RAC Tourist Trophy Celebration race. To see more from Tim, visit fluidimages.co.uk.
Jump to RAC Tourist Trophy Photo Gallery and Results
Maserati Tipo 151 of Joe Colasacco and Derek Hill
Two Aston Martin DB4 GTs, followed by a Ferrari 250 GT SWB and 250 GTO
A pair of Competition Ferrari 250 GT SWBs
Jump to RAC Tourist Trophy Photo Gallery and Results
Aston Martin Project 214 leads a pair of Ferrari 250 GTOs
Aston Martin DB4 GT
Nick Mason’s Ferrari 250 GTO was driven by Mark Hales and Jean Alesi
Jump to RAC Tourist Trophy Photo Gallery and Results
Many feel the Aston Martin Project 214 gives the 250 GTO a run for its money in the ‘looks’ department
Lister Jaguar Coupe follows the Jaguar E-Type, Chevrolet Corvette and Aston Martin DB4 GT
Jaguar E-Type Lightweight lifts a wheel
Ferrari 250 GTO
Jump to RAC Tourist Trophy Photo Gallery and Results
Pages: 1 2
The Goodwood Revival’s pics are simply gorgeous, kind of full scale Scalextric! The still romantic yet modern, sometimes awkwardly and often superbly shaped GT and sports cars of the sixties are the most exciting cars ever built. As the drivers were obviously pushing hard, the safety standard of the circuit looks poor especially in regard of the price and low crash safety of the cars. Their drivers and owners deserve respect!
Hello All,
I like how the spectators are dressed formally, showing respect for the occasion. That shows real class.
All it needs is John Bolster in his tweeds and Deerstalker. Nostalgic !