One for the road: Porsche 935 headlines a debut-filled Festival of Speed for Lanzante
Over the past few years, Lanzante has delivered a series of showstopping cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This will be the case once again for 2024, as the British automotive specialists return with the widest and most exciting selection of projects ever shown, and each car being shown for the first time. Projects based on McLaren and Porsche models will showcase the engineering skills and craftsmanship of the Lanzante team. At the heart of the displays - both on static display as part of the architecturally designed stand and within the Supercar Paddock - are the first two road-converted examples of the Porsche 935.
Built to celebrate the heritage of the dominant racer, Porsche launched a track-only, 2nd-generation 935 at the Rennsport Reunion in 2019 Based on the 911 GT2 RS, the modern interpretation is fitted with the same 3.8-litre six-cylinder twin turbo, generating 700bhp. 77 examples were built by Porsche, and Lanzante was approached by two owners looking to convert their examples for road-going use. The development and engineering programme has taken just under 18 months from initial discussions, and Goodwood Festival of Speed sees these first two road legal examples shown publicly for the first time.
The road conversion has included significant upgrades to the track car, including a unique suspension set up, newly designed and engineered wheels, upgraded braking system to include an integrated handbrake, a bespoke electronics system, and the sympathetic integration of bespoke headlights into the aerodynamic bodywork. These have been developed to imitate the pre-existing bonnet air intakes and, as with the other enhancements, are designed to look like original, factory-installed equipment. The two examples on display have also been finished in iconic motorsport-inspired liveries. The static example wears a modern interpretation of the red and blue Martini livery, while the car running as part of the Supercar display is finished in the famous red and white Marlboro chevron design.
As part of the display on its striking trackside stand, Lanzante will be home to no less than five McLaren models and two Porsches. The latest example of the Lanzante-developed McLaren P1 HDK, will be joined by a beautifully recommissioned McLaren Speedtail, which has recently undergone a full recommission with an extensive rebuild, including chassis change, as well as all hybrid and wiring systems being repaired. As part of the works completed by Lanzante, the aerodynamically optimised bodywork has been replaced, and a bespoke paint finish applied. A trio of awe-inspiring Gulf-liveried GTR models – F1 GTR-97, P1 GTR-18 and Senna GTR – round out the McLaren models.
Alongside these will be the latest version of the 1980s Formula 1-engined TAG Turbo model. The ninth in the run of 11 cars is built to honour John Watson, who drove with TAG-Porsche power in a McLaren during the 1983 and 1985 seasons. A newly developed, lightweight and enhanced version of the TAG Turbo, labelled TAG Championship, will also make its global debut. The model on show, one of just three to be built, is a homage to the four-time Formula 1 champion, Alain Prost, wearing his famously patriotic colours of his helmet.
The on-going collaboration with ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett, in the creation of the ‘MadMac’ driftcar, will also be a key focus, as the covers are pulled from the stand at 10am on the opening day, Thursday 11 July. This project – creating the wildest driftcar to celebrate 10 years since Mad Mike introduced drifting to the Festival of Speed – has generated significant global interest, since it was initially announced. The unveil follows on from the initial conversations which took place on the Lanzante stand at Goodwood, just 12 months ago.
