The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!

Twice a month in The Last Lap I bring you a dose of motorsport-related fun with the intention of bringing a smile to your Sunday. From fantastic track cars, fascinating tidbits of motorsport history, jaw-dropping hypercars and more, I hope The Last Lap gives you something to enjoy as you relax with your favourite hot beverage wherever you are.

This edition features Damon Hill both racing a Ferrari 250 GTO as well as expounding on his father and playboy racing drivers amongst other things, the stunning Ferrari SP51, vintage Italian racing, a look back at this year’s Goodwood Revival, reviews of the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and more.

I also look at a few auctions you may want to investigate in Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales.

Happy Sunday!

Onboard With Damon Hill Racing a Ferrari 250 GTO at Goodwoood

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!

Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion, raced a Ferrari 250 GTO during the RAC TT Celebration at the Goodwood Revival in 1999. We can ride onboard with him now as he starts the race against cars including other 250 GTOs, 250 SWB, Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagao, E-type, Cobra and more.

The Ferrari SP51: A touch of class

Ferrari SP51
Photo: Ferrari

Just one Ferrari SP51 will be bespoke-made for a client in Taiwan who also happens to be one of the leading Ferrari collectors worldwide. Based on the architecture of the 812 GTS, the SP51 is a front-engine, V12 spider designed by the Flavio Manzoni-led Ferrari Styling Centre. The aerodynamics required meticulous honing, in a process involving driving simulations and wind tunnel testing to ensure the SP51 has not just the ultimate in comfort in the cabin, but also the same standard of acoustic comfort and wind feel as the car that inspired it. 

Introducing the Sebring Driving Club

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022
Photo: Sebring Driving Club

The Sebring Driving Club is a members-only club that will offer bi-monthly, year-round track programs to automotive enthusiasts exclusively at Sebring International Raceway. With two distinct levels of membership, the Club allows each driver to tailor the program to fit their lifestyle and get the most out or their street cars and race cars.

The Club’s membership is made up of drivers of all levels of experience with a desire for practice sessions under the guidance of our Director of Driver Development, Shane Lewis. Sebring Driving Club is for like-minded people who have a sophisticated appreciation of Sebring’s legendary motor racing history. The Sebring Driving Club is where members can drive their cars down the same hairpin and back straight as McQueen, Shelby, Moss, Fangio Andretti, Hill, Penske, Rahal, Gurney, Ickx, Foyt, O’Connell, Kristensen, McLaren and countless others. 

Full details can be found at sebringdrivingclub.com.

Vintage Fun at the Italian Speed Festival

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022

Set to take place October 22-23, 2022 at Misano World Circuit, the Italian Speed Festival will host the finals of the Alfa Revival Cup, Youngtimer Cup and Cavallino Classic Cup racing series. Several track slots will be open to all collectors and drivers who want to take part during the weekend with a classic or sports car. Italian cars are most welcome but the track is open to all brands.

Spectators are welcome to enter the paddock, to live the racing experience as it used to be in the good old days, when motorhomes were simple trailers and hospitalities just consisted of a shared pot of spaghetti with friends. Free access!

More information can be found here in both English and Italian. Buona gara!

Alpine Pays Tribute to Fernando Alonso

Alpine A110 R Fernando Alonso

Alpine has unveiled a special edition of their recently introduced A110 R as a tribute to Fernando Alonso. The special edition, christened simply the Alpine A110 R Fernando Alonso, pays homage to the veteran racer via a range of subtle design details. Like the regular R, it’s a lighter, faster version of the A110 built for the track but also fit for the road. This time around, though, the four-wheeler was designed with input from a two-time F1 World Champion.

As a nod to Alonso’s total F1 victories to date, 32 examples will be made and sold for €148,000 (approximately $144,500). The standard R will set you back €105,000 (roughly $102,500), which means you’re forking out an extra $42,000 or so for some cosmetic updates inspired by the Spanish driver and his illustrious career.

More photos can be found at The Robb Report here.

Damon Hill Featured in Chap Magazine

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!

The Summer edition of Chap Magazine, a magazine seeking to “expand your mind and refine your wardrobe” features an interview with Damon Hill.

Heading the cast of CHAP Summer 22 is former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill, who spoke eloquently to us about his father Graham Hill, playboy racing drivers, moustaches, the Royal Navy’s drinking habits and enlightenment behind the wheel of a car travelling at over 200mph. Further motoring tales include a visit to the Morgan factory to test drive their revived three-wheeler, and a tract claiming that driving a classic car is ultimately better for the environment than ‘going electric’.”

You can order your copy here.

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!
Photo: Robb Holland

Here are two reviews of the new Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS. The first is from The Drive who calls it a phenomenal track weapon in practiced hands. “In a world where sports cars are almost too easy to drive fast, the new GT3 RS is old school. It’ll bite back if you aren’t careful.”

The second review can be found in the video below and is by Top Gear’s Chris Harris. “Find out what Chris thinks on the 992 generation RS as he takes it around Silverstone and has a proper peek around the bodywork!

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!

Revisiting Goodwood Revival 2022

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!
The AC Cobra of Romain Dumas and Bill Shepherd leads into the first corner of the RAC TT race (Sports Car Digest)

Couldn’t make it to this year’s Goodwood Revival? Sports Car Digest explains what you missed and why you need to go.

Hosting no less than fifteen races over the course of the weekend, carried out with the inimitable panache and grace that has become synonymous with Revival, the long summer of 2022 clung on for a few more days to ensure that Goodwood came alive under its radiance.

First hosting motor sport events in 1948, the Goodwood circuit came alive during the 1950s and 60s, one of the linchpins of this golden era of motorsport. A celebration of this glorious time, the Goodwood Revival is one of the most prestigious historic racing celebrations, and to my mind, certainly the most authentic.

Over the course of the weekend, drivers, teams, celebrities and spectators all turn out in the most meticulously planned attire, evoking the style and fashions of the period, while a stupendous attention to detail in the setting of Goodwood Motor Circuit itself helps to transport you back in time, with an authenticity and level of organisation unparalleled in historic racing.

Goodwood Revival 2022 https://sportscardigest.com/goodwood-revival-2022/

Living the P1 Supercar Life

The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!

Supercar owners seeking an exclusive combination of driving and lifestyle experiences in the UAE now have a new option which gives an extra dimension to the supercar club concept. The official launch of P1 Supercar Life is aimed at the most selective supercar enthusiast who wants a higher level of exclusivity and comfort in the company of like-minded individuals.

Dubai-based Pole Position Group has responded to this demand by designing a custom-made automotive and motorsports destination for members to enjoy from 2023.

This will complement a calendar of prestigious on and off-track events, including circuit racing, organized road drives, handling tests and hill climbs, and VIP tours at luxurious locations in Europe.

For details of how to join P1 Supercar Life visit https://www.p-1.club/

Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales

Gran Turismo Collection
  • An 18-car collection that boggles the mind is set to hit the block next month as part of RM Sotheby’s upcoming London auction. Whether you’re into sports cars, supercars or rally racers, the Gran Turismo Collection has something for everyone. The Gran Turismo Collection will go up for grabs on November 5 during RM Sotheby’s London sale at the Marlborough House. How much will the cars cost? The auction house hasn’t published estimates yet, but that might change if you reach out.
The Last Lap for October 16, 2022-Buona Gara!
RM Sotheby’s
  • Ferrari F2003-GA, chassis number 229, a car Michael Schumacher took to three poles and five wins is one of the most successful individual Schumi chassis and the most successful F2003. RM Sotheby’s will auction it in Geneva next month, and this is your opportunity to own a piece of Formula 1 history.
  • The Collector Motor Series Auction takes place on October 29, 2022 in Livingston, Louisiana and will feature a number of impressive examples of collectable cars including:
    • 1937 Bugatti 57C Vanvooren Cabriolet
    • 1956 Jaguar XK140 MC DHC
    • 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster
    • 1914 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle
    • 1927 Bugatti Type 40
Mark Boudreau
Author: Mark Boudreau

Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.