2013 KOP HILL CLIMB

Jaguar XJ13
Jaguar XJ13

The organisers are working tirelessly to bring spectators the most exciting range of motoring legends to be found anywhere and are pleased to announce these stunning late additions to a thrilling 2013 Kop Hill Climb line-up (September 21st – 22nd).  Discounted advance tickets are still available but you have to hurry.

The Ex-Derek Warwick 1989 Arrows A11 Formula 1 Racing Car will be appearing on event Sponsors Historics at Brooklands’ stand for all to marvel at. The Arrows A11-001 was one the cars with which the Arrows team competed in the 1989 and 1990 Formula One seasons, and at the start of the 1991 season (badged as Footwork). Driven by Warwick in 1989 and Michele Alboreto the following year. Designed by Ross Brawn, the A11 was the first Arrows car following the ban on turbocharged engines at the end of 1988, being fitted with a normally-aspirated 3.5-litre Ford Cosworth DFR V8 engine. It was raced to reasonably good effect by Derek Warwick and Eddie Cheever in 1989, Warwick finishing in the top six on five occasions and briefly challenging for victory in the Canadian Grand Prix, and Cheever finishing third in the United States Grand Prix, held in his home town of Phoenix, Arizona. With 13 points, Arrows placed seventh in the Constructors’ Championship.  Should you have the spare funds available (estimate £95,000 – £115,000) the car will be appearing in the Historics at Brooklands 29th of November sale!

Aston Martin A3 on Kop Hill

Courtesy of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust the A3, the oldest surviving Aston Martin, will once more take its rightful place at the Kop Hill Climb in 2013.  Most will be familiar with the motorsport legend Aston Martin, a marque often to be found near the top if not occupying the number 1 spot of ‘coolest brands’ and while that arbiter of cool James Bond cemented the brand into the public’s consciousness in the 1960’s, the legendary manufacturer’s history stretches back much further, in fact back to the heyday of the original 1910 – 1925 Kop Hill Climb events. Lionel Martin understood the importance motorsport achievements bestowed upon manufacturers in those early days, often entering his cars in high profile events.  The Kop Hill Climb was one such event and in 1922 Lionel Martin himself entered the now legendary A3 producing a 1st in class performance of 34.5 seconds. The A3 as one of the original five prototype chassis developed by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin appeared in a number of guises in its life, being seen with either a very streamlined racing two-seat body or a two-seat sporting body, depending on the event entered.  In 2006 Ecurie Bertelli was commissioned to undertake A3’s complete restoration bringing A3 back to the original two-seater competition configuration you’ll see it in at the Kop Hill Climb.

There is only one Jaguar XJ13 in the world and it will be at the Kop Hill Climb 2013 event for all to see along with the 1983 Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) Jaguar courtesy of Jaguar Heritage.  The XJ13 was built as a potential Le Mans contender but never competed in any race. Its development inevitably had to take second place to that of the much more important new saloon car which became the XJ6, launched in 1968. By the time XJ13 was completed, its design had become obsolete against new cars from Ferrari and Ford, never mind the Porsche 917. This did not stop XJ13 from being one of the most beautiful racing cars of all time, thanks to the talent of aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer who had also been responsible for the C-type and D-type shapes. Nor should anyone doubt the potential of its unique 502bhp, 5 litre V12 engine. During early testing in 1966, it lapped the MIRA test track at over 161mph (259 km/h), establishing a lap record. The TWR Jaguar was to enjoy a different history, encouraged by the success of Group 44 racing in America, Jaguar contemplated a return to racing in the early 1980s. Tom Walkinshaw approached Jaguar with a proposal to enter the European Touring Car Championship of 1982. The regulations prompted him to search for a car with the widest possible tyres and independent suspension. Although the XJ-S was heavy, it fitted the bill. It won its first race before the end of the season, and came second in the championship. The 1983 season was even better, as the TWR Jaguar at one time led BMW with five wins to four, and only narrowly missed winning the championship. A three-car team ran in the 1984 season, and this time, the Jaguars were unassailable. Of seven race victories, the most memorable was in the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, by Walkinshaw and Win Percy – the first victory in a 24-hour race for Jaguar since the 1957 Le Mans. Walkinshaw won the championship, the first Jaguar driver to do so since Peter Nocker in 1963.

The Kop Hill Climb (21-22 September) which donates it proceeds to local charitable causes, now in the 5thyear of the Revival of the 1910-1925 events is firmly established as one of the best events for the public to witness up close motoring icons in motion and with so much planned to see and do at this year’s Kop Hill Climb it promises to exceed last year’s 14,000 spectator attendance record.  Those with families seeking something rather more light-hearted can enjoy a wide range of children’s entertainments including a climbing wall and the soapbox racers!

Advanced day (£8 adult, children under 12 free) weekend (£16) and grandstand (£5) tickets for the 2013 Kop Hill Climb are available online at www.kophillclimb.info until September 16th or from the local Princes Risborough and Aylesbury Information offices until September 20th .

A3 and down the line
A3 and down the line

 

Read more about: Aston Martin History and Company Founders

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