Faultless Ferrari benefits from F1 at Goodwood Revival
TV’s Tony Jardine and exotic car dealer Paul Osborn achieve best record yet
A faultless Ferrari, painstakingly prepared by three former Williams F1 men, achieved its best ever success at Goodwood over the weekend (1-3 September) in the hands of owner Paul Osborn and TV broadcaster Tony Jardine.
The combination of F1 expertise and mature driving not only produced the first ever finish for the Cars International Ferrari 250 GT Lusso at Goodwood, but also produced its fastest ever lap around the track, including times set by three former Grand Prix drivers - Johnny Herbert, Allan McNish and Rupert Keegan - who have all driven the car.
Cars International Ltd Managing Director, and owner of the car, Paul Osborn was delighted, “It just goes to show what you can achieve with the right mix of engineering expertise and chemistry between drivers - a faultless performance. We were one of the slowest cars in a straight line, compared to the mighty American muscle cars and starship lightweight E Types, which were literally on another planet. But Tim Preston and our other ex-Williams F1 staff laboured night and day for a month, totally transforming the car into a reliable, superb handling thoroughbred.
“What we didn’t tell Tony was that it was touch and go as to whether we would make it at all. We were super late with the engine, but our friends at GTO Engineering came to the rescue. Tony drove a great stint for the second part of the race after our pit stop and we are evenly matched, so I hope to be able to use him again in the future. The team really gelled and everyone is happy. Personally, I’m delighted.” The duo were competing in the prestigious Tourist Trophy - the centre piece of the cult Goodwood Revival event - in front of a capacity crowd, and against the cream of Grand Prix drivers and Le Mans winners, both past and present.
The TT race is the crowning glory of the classic car calendar, in so much demand that it is hard to get an entry. The Ferrari Lusso earns its place on the grid through looks alone but with its new found handling and consistency it was classified 17th from 28 starters. The race will be seen worldwide in the coming weeks, televised globally, including on ITV in the UK. Tony Jardine summed up his feelings after the team beat its own Goodwood record, “Tim Preston was a top Williams engineer to the likes of Damon Hill, Button and Montoya, and I have known him for a long time, but it’s different when you experience their expertise first hand.
“Tim, along with Mark Littlewood and Ian Mellor, both also former Williams technicians, did a superb job. I know the massive effort that went in, but that car handled like a dream, it was pure silk. It’s thanks to them and Paul for showing faith in me and letting me enjoy the brilliant experience in the Ferrari. I now know why Paul has set up Cars International Service division with Tim and the boys to look after customer cars on the technical side. They are premier division.” - Ends -
