Vauxhall supports racing legends at Goodwood Revival

Works backing for original St Marys Trophy car driven by former BTCC starVauxhall is lending factory support at this years Goodwood Revival to one of the most important competition cars to wear the Griffin badge in the 1960s, driven by one of Vauxhalls most successful drivers from the 1990s.John Cleland, who dominated the British Touring Car Championship in a succession of Astras, Cavaliers and Vectras between 1989 and 1999, will be racing a freshly restored, competition-spec Vauxhall VX4/90 in the first  of the Revivals St Marys Trophy races on Saturday, September 14.The car, which will receive works support from Vauxhall Heritage, will be celebrating 50 years since its first appearance at Goodwood, when it was driven by Vauxhall tuning-guru, Bill Blydenstein in the 1963 St Marys Trophy. It will even wear its original 90 race number, as seen in the accompanying pictures from the current issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine.Now owned by historic racer, Paul Clayson, the VX4/90 will be backed by a crew from Vauxhalls Heritage Centre and Press Garage. Team Vauxhall will be easily identified in Goodwoods paddock by their newly restored Bedford CA van, sporting period works colours and Vauxhall Sales & Service logos.Vauxhall will also have a presence in the Revivals Earls Court Motor Show, where a heritage-meets-modern display is set to wow show-goers and illustrate the depth of the companys 110-year manufacturing history in the UK. More cars from its heritage collection will be used to taxi drivers and VIP guests around the site throughout the event.Vauxhall is fully committed to supporting its heritage, especially in motorsport events like Goodwood Revival, said Simon Hucknall, PR Manager for Vauxhall & Vauxhall Heritage.  The VX4/90 which John and Paul are racing is the first Vauxhall campaigned by Bill Blydenstein, who became synonymous with our competition success in the 60s and 70s, so its a landmark car that were proud to support.812 FNM, the Goodwood VX4/90, started life as a Vauxhall Motors press car, before it was given to tuner, Chris Lawrence, to develop. In 63, it competed extensively in the European Saloon Car Championship, before being transformed into a rally car for the 64 season at the hands of ex-Lawrencetune employee, Rod Cooper.Paul Clayson acquired the car looking rather the worse for wear and he and ex-Vauxhall/Blydenstein man, Gerry Johnstone, embarked on a mission to bring it back to its 63 Touring Car appearance. Producing 108bhp at 6250rpm, the car retains its original Lawrencetune inlet and exhaust manifolds, twin Weber 42DCOEs and bespoke cylinder head. I wanted to keep it as near to original spec as possible, said Clayson. Its never going to win anything, but the fit with this years St. Marys Trophy race at the Revival is perfect and its a great chance to put the car back on the map.The Goodwood Revival is the worlds most popular historic motor race meeting, and the only event of its kind to be staged in the time capsule of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, celebrating the circuits heyday. This years event runs from September 13th to 15th.

More details about Goodwood revival can be found at goodwood.co.uk/revival/about/about.aspx


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