The Goodwood Festival of Speed is good for surprises every year. From June 26 to 29, 2014, the record-breaking Fiat S76 will be back on the track for the first time in 100 years and a Formula 1 monoposto that has long since disappeared will be making an appearance.
The Fiat S76 from 1911
In 1911, Fiat built two record-breaking S76s in response to the Blitzenbenz. These monsters were intended to set records for the flying mile and the flying kilometer. The mile record was actually set with Pietro Bordino at the wheel, and the top speed measured in Ostenende (Belgium) was 136 miles per hour. However, this record was not counted because the return journey could not be measured within an hour.
The world record car has been restored over the last ten years by Duncan Pittaway, who will also drive the Fiat at Goodwood, and reunited with the original 28.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
Lec Formula 1 Monoposto from 1977
There is also an exciting story behind the 1977 Lec CRP1 with a Ford Cosworh engine. It was built with funding from a refrigerator manufacturer and driven by his son David Purley, who briefly took first place at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1977. David Purley died shortly afterwards when he tried to rescue racing driver Roger Williamson from his burning racing car after an accident.
Now the Lec CPR1 has been restored and driver Joe Twyman reckons he has a real chance of making it into the final race on Sunday.
Further information about the Goodwood Festival of Speed can be found on the event website.
