I’ve loved racecars for as long as I can remember.
From getting up in the middle of the night to watch Indycar and F1 races to standing by the side of tracks around the country, I guess they are the art forms that truly move me.
It might also surprise some of you to see F1 cars in my all-time favourites list, as I’m quite vocal about not having followed F1 since about 1994 – but I used to be totally obsessed a few years before that, and was a huge fan of Elio de Angelis and Ayrton Senna.
So, in no particular order, here are the cars that I love the most:
McLaren MP4/4
Most beautiful single-seater ever created. I love the Marlboro colours, but the car itself is just gorgeous. It was an honour watching Senna decimate the opposition in this.
Lister Storm
My favourite car for years, after randomly seeing one in a magazine and sending a letter to Lister Cars, who kindly posted me a brochure for their cars. And then a few years later this absolute brute of a car appeared in the British GT Championship!!!
McLaren F1 GTR
I don’t think I even need to say anything about this one.
Audi Sport Quattro S1 Pikes Peak
Back when I was 11 years old, my best mates Dad – TR4 Challenge racer Peter Cox – had a white Quattro. It was awesome, and the fastest thing I’d been in at that time. Of course I always loved the Group B cars, but the Pikes Peak versions took it all to the next level.
Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
I think the C7 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Just look at that rear view! And the sound of that V8…
Sauber Mercedes C9
I’d say this is the best looking sports prototype ever made. They were absolute beasts on the track, and just looked perfect in silver (especially with their flouro wing mirrors).
Top Fuel Dragster
If you’ve never experienced top fuel drag racing in person I honestly can’t express what you’re missing. It’s awesome on the purest sense of the word – a spiritual experience as the dinosaur-like roar tears the cells of your body and the air around you. I still get withdrawal pains in my soul when I remember the experience. 10,000+hp, a standing 1000 yards in less than 4 seconds crossing the line at 330mph, and just the exhaust gasses produce 1000lb of downforce! So, yeah, this is all top fuel dragsters.
Ultima GTR
I remember watching the development of the Ultima GTR at Mallory Park! I always liked them, and remember them lapping the second place cars in their races in a 10 lap race. I’m happy to see them still around and looking better than ever!
Lotus 98T
An all-time classic in the gold and black JPS paint scheme.
Lola T332 F5000
I saw this testing at Mallory Park a few years ago and the sound is monstrous! Glenn attributes most of his hearing loss to being behind and F5000 car in the tunnel at Brands Hatch. I’d love to drive one.
Quaife R4 GTS
Another rarity from the British GT series in the 90s. And it was 4WD!
Renaultsport R.S. 01
I saw this all in carbon when it was released at the Autosport Show one year – it’s been a long time since a racing car caught my eye that much.
Which are your favourites and why?
