TWR receivers to auction off F1 cars.
Michael Schumacher's 1993 Benetton car and the Arrows A18, thought to have been driven by Damon Hill in 1997, will go under the hammer next month at Brands Hatch, when TWR's collection of historic racing sports car and memorabilia will be sold off.
The sale follows the collapse of the TWR empire at the beginning of this year, which was also linked to the end of the Arrows F1 team, and is an attempt by creditors to recoup funds.
Michael Schumacher's 1993 Benetton car and the Arrows A18, thought to have been driven by Damon Hill in 1997, will go under the hammer next month at Brands Hatch, when TWR's collection of historic racing sports car and memorabilia will be sold off.
The sale follows the collapse of the TWR empire at the beginning of this year, which was also linked to the end of the Arrows F1 team, and is an attempt by creditors to recoup funds.
A statement issued today noted:
"Wyles Hardy & Co have been instructed by Rob Hunt, Rob Birchall and Mike Jervis of PricewaterhouseCoopers the joint administrative receivers of TWR Group Limited, to hold a sale by auction of this unique part of contemporary British Racing History.
"Around 20 vehicles will be offered for sale at Brands Hatch in Kent, together with archive material, racing memorabilia and related ephemera from the TWR Organisation. The sale will take place in the evening of 5th July following the first days racing at the Sports Car Club Superprix meeting.
"Jaguar Group C racing cars are available for sale by Private Treaty before the auction.
"Amongst the cars in the sale are a trio of historic MK1 Lotus Cortinas, including BJH417B Lotus Cortina formerly driven by Clark/Stewart/Whitmore, 550VAR Ex Jim Clark with its unique rear suspension set up and KPU 383C Ex-Works Rally Car previously, driven by Roger Clark. Also on offer will be a Jaguar TWR XJS and the famous 'Bastos' Rover Vitesse, both formerly driven by Walkinshaw and Perry, and the Ford RS3100 'Cologne Capri', raced by Nikki Lauda. Further lots will include the Arrows A18 Chassis No. 1997-01 believed to be the 'Damon Hill Car', Benetton 193B Chassis No. 05, driven by Michael Schumacher and a Ligier JS41 Show car.
"The memorabilia includes drivers race suits, trophies, signed photographs, team histories etc."
Wyles Hardy & Co's Director Gordon Wyles said: "We are delighted that we have been appointed to conduct this important sale. We bring, for the first time to the historic competition car market in the UK, a fully webcast auction sale, which combines all the excitement and atmosphere of an auction sale, with the benefits of world wide internet access and participation. With a broad diversity of competition cars from Formula One, through Touring, to GT and Rally available not to mention the memorabilia, this sale will have broad appeal to enthusiasts and collectors alike".
The cars and memorabilia can be viewed on Friday 4th July from 10.30am to 4.30pm and on the day of sale [Saturday 5th July]. Admission into the sale will be by catalogue only, priced ?20 which admits one and includes entry to Brands Hatch [Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd terms and conditions for tickets apply] to also enjoy the racing on Saturday 5th July 2003.
Catalogues and images available from Wyles Hardy & Co, Ley Hill Road, Bovingdon, Herts. HP3 0NW. Tel: 01442 832234.
