EVER dreamed of owning your own Formula One car — well now’s your chance.
A Super Aguri F1 race car, part of the team which went into administration earlier this year, will go under the hammer at an auction of the remaining assets of the now defunct team, starting 29 July at 10am (BST).
The three-day Internet-based auction on shm-group.com is being handled by SHM Smith Hodgkinson, the UK’s leading experts in commercial and industrial asset and property valuation on behalf of William Turner and Geoff Kinlan, liquidators from BDO Stoy Hayward LLP.
The auction will feature team leader Takuma Sato’s 2006 Grand Prix car — the Super Aguri SA06 — minus its engine and gearbox. “From a technical point of view there is a lot of interest in the car. It is less than two years old and features a lot of the very latest technology,” said SHM’s Richard Mascall, who is organising the auction. “Because it is a relatively new model we have already had interest from other Formula One teams who are keen to get their hands on the car.
“But we also anticipate an immense amount of general interest from F1 enthusiasts from all over the globe. The sport is a truly global affair and opportunities to own your own F1 car don’t come along very often. The auction will also feature the Oxfordshire-based team’s transporters and tractor units; the race and test fuel rigs, tyre warmers, telemetry racks and pit equipment, a variety of plant and machinery, including aeroform autoclaves and a quantity of official Super Aguri Formula 1 Merchandise, including clothing, bags and personal accessories.
Adds Richard: “This sale represent a rare opportunity for teams, enthusiasts and F1 fans and naturally we anticipate that the auction site will attract thousands of visitors worldwide over the coming weeks.” Founded by former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki, Japan Super Aguri F1 competed in Formula One between 2006 to 2008. The team was based in Tokyo but operated from the former Arrows factory in Leafield.
But after participating in the championship for just over 2 years the team withdrew from F1 part-way through the current season because of financial difficulties.
The auction will start at 10am (BST) on July 29 and close at 10am (BST) Thursday on July 31 2008. Viewings are being held at Leafield Technical Centre, in Oxfordshire between 9am and 4pm on Friday July 25th, Monday July 28th and Tuesday July 29th.
