The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

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.

In this issue I look at the genius of Jim Hall, take a ride aboard a Ferrari SF90 Spider, look at two incredible hypercars from Devel and Delage, find out about the real James Hunt and much more. In addition, a 1987 Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione highlights this issue’s edition of Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales. Happy Sunday!

The Outrageous Devel Sixteen

Devel Sixteen

Supercars.net profiles the Devel Sixteen, the Dubai manufactured super car. “According to the Dubai-based manufacturer, the Devel Sixteen can crank out up to 5,007 hp and an earth-shaking 3,757 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the record-breaking Chiron SuperSport 300+ has 1,577 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque.”

A Preview of Velocity Invitational 2022

1969 Porsche 917K
1969 Porsche 917K © Rex McAfee

Held for a second year at historic Weathertech Raceway, Laguna Seca, the 2022 Velocity Invitational is poised to offer the finest combination of vintage racing and luxury lifestyle in North America. From hearing the distinctive wail of a 1950s Ferrari Testa Rossa to the cork pulled on an aged Napa Valley cabernet, be prepared to experience sensory bliss on the iconic Monterey Peninsula Oct 14-16. Sports Car Digest have a great preview of what to expect.

James Hunt: The Man Behind the Playboy Image

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

Motor Sport Magazine goes beyond his playboy persona for a great look at James Hunt through the eyes of those that really knew him. They talk to everybody from the obvious like Niki Lauda and Lord Hesketh but also with people like Jochen Mass, Alastair Caldwell and Bubbles Horsley.

Nick Slade: Master Vintage Racer Restorer

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

Vintage Motorsport have a great profile of J&L Fabricating’s Nick Slade. If you are a fan of Shadow race cars, you will want to read this profile!

Goodwood Revival 2022’s Most Beautiful Cars

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse Track-Only Variant

Mustang GT Dark Horse

The Dark Horse is the first new Mustang performance series in 21 years, according to the brand. It’s actually two models, both of which are based on the new Mustang GT—the Dark Horse S and the Dark Horse R. The two track-only beasts are very similar to one another, but the former was designed for weekend warriors and the latter for organized racing. The Dark Horse R has actually been serialized by Ford so that it can compete in proper motorsports events all over the world. (Robb Report)

First Drive in a Ferrari’s SF90 Spider Assetto Fiorano

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

The Robb Report takes a first drive in the Ferrari SF90 Spider and they were delightfully surprised. “The SF90 Spider presents a bit of a surprise to those who have been stubbornly aligned to the closed coupe supercar format, and a delight to anyone who can appreciate the sensory overload of so many forces conspiring to deliver absolute speed. Sure, this is a land rocket with an incredible way of dancing through corners and shrinking straightaways. But most refreshingly, Ferrari’s flagship is also adaptable enough to waft in silence one moment, and go like hell the next. All supercars should be so versatile.”

Delage Returns!

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022
Photo: Delage

French manufacturer Delage has returned with the 1,100 HP D12 Hypercar. Jalopnik has all the details: “If you’ve gotten to this point and still aren’t sure what a Delage D12 is, don’t worry. I’m gonna fill you in. At its core, the D12 is a hypercar from a long-dead and then restarted French car company. It’s set up like an F-14 or F-18 with tandem seating for two under a canopy. Behind the passengers is a massive engine. Both cars are powered by in-house built 7.6-liter V12 engines that make 990 horsepower on their own. The difference comes from the electric motors paired with them. The GT get’s a 110 horsepower motor and the Club gets just a 20 horsepower motor. Delage claims there’s enough power to rocket the GT from 0-60 in just 2.6 seconds, which is quite a feat considering the fact it’s rear-wheel drive.” The car also made an appearance at Goodwood this year and you can check out the stunning photos of its appearance here.

Chaparral’s Jim Hall — Inventor of the Modern Race Car

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022
Phil Hill driving a Chaparral 2E at 1966 Canadian GP

There is no doubt that Jim Hall is one of the greatest innovator in motorsport history. If you are not convinced, read this article over at Collectors Part Exchange for the evidence. “At the start of the 60s, race cars from F1 to sports cars still looked like their 50s predecessors with front engines and curvaceous bodies — with a only a small contingent starting to use mid-engines. By the decade’s end, the cars looked radically different with the onset of the aerodynamics revolution. Cars had front and rear wings, radiators in the midsection, underfloors, and monocoque tubs. We have Jim Hall to thank for that radical evolution. He was a true revolutionary who pioneered aerodynamic downforce, ground effects, semi-automatic transmissions, and torsional rigidity.”

The Racing Career of Pablo Escobar

The Last Lap for October 2, 2022

While I anxiously await the release of Driven to Crime: True stories of wrongdoing in motor racing by Crispian Besley, I bring you details of the racing career of Pablo Escobar. You may not have been aware of the fact that he raced but if you know the history of motor racing, it should not come as too much of a surprise that with all that money he hit the track.

Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales

1987 Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione
1987 Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione
  • Broad Arrow Auctions has released the full digital catalog for its 120-car Jim Taylor Collection auction, scheduled for October 14-15. View the full inventory by clicking here.
  • Broad Arrow Auctions has announced the addition of a new auction event taking place this 18-19 November in West Palm Beach, Florida at the beautiful Palm Beach County Convention Center. The sale will offer approximately 300 collector cars ranging from pre-war classics to modern supercars with every collecting segment in between. “Together with our partners from Hagerty, we look forward to creating an exciting, unique, and truly enjoyable weekend for everyone to enjoy this November.”
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.