The Last Lap for September 18, 2022-King of Cool Edition

The Last Lap is back! Twice a month I will bring you interesting motorsport-related tidbits of fun that make a great way to kick off your Sunday morning (or afternoon/evening depending on your time zone). This edition features some ultra-rare road and race cars, the history of Cosworth in F1, a look at an incredible car collection in Monaco curated by the prince himself, where to stay and drink in Singapore during the Grand Prix and Steve McQueen’s lost racing movie. All this plus some Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales and much more. Relax and enjoy!

Introducing the McLaren Solus GT

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022
McLaren Solus GT

Motorsport Magazine looks at the McLaren Solus GT which is a car that as they explain, was invented for the virtual world and now enjoying a second life in the real one. “The Solus GT actually came into existence five years ago – if that is even the right word – as the McLaren Ultimate Vision, a computer-generated car that existed within the Gran Turismo SPORT game designed in 2017 for the PlayStation 4. Now, you can buy a re-conditioned PS4 for around £150 and the game for less than a tenner. Or, for something the eye-watering side of £3 million, and assuming you are one of McLaren’s very best 25 customers, next year they will deliver the real thing to your door, complete with a flight case full of tools and pre-heating equipment that means you might even be able to use it. To that end, they’ll also mould a seat to your specific shape, provide some race gear and even lay on events that allow you to push it to whosever’s limit arrives first, that of the owner or the car.”

Aston Martin reveals their 705-hp DBR22 Speedster

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022
Aston Martin DBR22

Despite some issues with their Valkyrie Hypercar, Aston Martin has revealed their DBR22 Speedster, a 705 HP concept car. “Power comes from Aston Martin’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V-12, tuned in this application to deliver 705 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic and drives the rear wheels only. The combination with the lightweight speedster body means 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph.”

Cosworth — The Upstart That Dominated F1

A disassembled Cosworth DFV
A disassembled Cosworth DFV

Collector Part Exchange has an excellent history of Cosworth in Formula One that is well worth the read. “The firm grew to produce the indisputably greatest engine in Formula One history, and perhaps the best engine anywhere, full stop. The Cosworth DFV transformed Formula 1, by building a crate engine that topped all others, including Ferrari. During its reign, the Cosworth DFV powered customer cars to 155 F1 World Championship wins, making it the third most successful engine manufacturer overall.” Don’t forget to check out the video at the end of the article as well!

Classic Lotus Car Parts Now Available From Classic Team Lotus

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022-King of Cool Edition

Speaking of Lotus, Classic Team Lotus have announced ” We are now selling Classic Lotus Road Car Parts 1967 to 1990, this is a very exciting new activity for us! Please take a look here.

The Untold Story of Formula 1’s Most Bizarre Team: Life F1

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022

Motor Magazine has the fascinating story of Life F1, a team that existed on the periphery of Formula One for a very brief period of time. “A mysterious businessman, a briefcase filled with cash, Soviet industrialists, and the little team that couldn’t. This is the unbelievable tale of Formula 1’s most bizarre team.”

Going to the Singapore Grand Prix?

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022-King of Cool Edition

It may be tight to find a hotel room for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix right now, but here are the best Singapore hotels to watch the 2022 Singapore Grand Prix as well as Singapore’s best cocktail bars.

The Collection de Voitures de S.A.S le Prince de Monaco

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022

Monaco is renowned for their Grand Prix (reputedly still on the schedule for the next few years), their casino and their tax-free denizens sipping cocktails at La Rascasse. What you may not be aware of is that Monaco’s late Prince Rainer loved cars, and now there is a museum housing his collection that you can visit when you are in the Principality. The Collection de Voitures de S.A.S le Prince de Monaco is a vast collection of cars that span the spectrum of pre-war machines to modern F1 cars. The Robb Report and Sports Car Digest both take a peek at the collection for those who don’t plan on jetting down to the exclusive enclave any time soon. There’s more information on the car collection of HSH the Prince of Monaco here: www.mtcc.mc/en/

Introducing the Pagani Huayra Codalunga

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022

The Pagani Huayra Codalunga is a longtail coupe version with a new look inspired by the Le Mans cars of the 1960s. Only five will be made and all are already spoken for, although one could become available at auction in the next few years. Have a look here and enjoy.

The Ferrari Purosangue – Is This An SUV?

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022

In what The Robb Report terms the most polarizing car of the year, Ferrari have introduced their first ever SUV, the Ferrari Purosangue. But wait! According to Ferrari, this is not an SUV at all. “Ferrari insists that the Purosangue actually isn’t an SUV. Instead, marketing boss Enrico Galliera calls it “a sports car that can be used in different conditions.” The name “Purosangue” (“thoroughbred” in English) was “a kind of lighthouse guiding us through its development,” he says. “There has been no compromise on design or engineering.”

Steve McQueen’s lost F1 movie: Day of The Champion

Day of The Champion

Before the classic film Grand Prix was released to cinemas, actor turned racer Steve McQueen was hard at work on what he planned to be the ultimate racing movie, Day of the Champion. Sadly, a number of factors led to the movie never being released but you can still watch it. Or at least what he hoped the movie would eventually be. Vimeo has the film about the film in Steve McQueen The Lost Movie and Motorsport Magazine has a great article on the plans for the film and why it was never made in Steve McQueen’s lost F1 movie: Day of The Champion. Finally, in the video below, Factual America talks to the creators of The Lost Movie to get the details on how that documentary came about.

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022-King of Cool Edition

Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales

As I ramp up The Last Lap for the Fall and Winter, I will continue to bring you fascinating auctions and intriguing sales featuring a compelling selection of race and road cars. Here are a few to whet your appetite, including my very own Motorsport Prospects Marketplace created in partnership with Racing Edge.

The Last Lap for September 18, 2022-King of Cool Edition
1991 Newmann-Hass Racing Lola
  • On October 29th, 78 cars from the championship winning Newman-Hass Indycar team are to go on auction, including “a 1983 Lola T700-Cosworth raced by Mario Andretti to open NHR’s winning account, and a Dallara-Honda raced by Oriol Servia to fourth in the 2011 championship.” More information can be found here.
2022 Radical SR3 XX
2022 Radical SR3 XX

That is it for this week’s edition of The Last Lap. See you on October 1st for more motorsport-related fun!

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.