Scarab to race at Silverstone

| 20 Jun 2011

Julian Bronson has confirmed that his Scarab Grand Prix car should be ready to race at the Silverstone Classic, 22-24 July. The American-built F1 car – the brainchild of Lance Reventlow, which made its debut at Monaco in 1960 – had been in the Donington Collection for many years.

Don Orosco owns the other front-engined Scarabs, but this one – Chassis  three – was one of the original trio of cars taken to Zandvoort in 1960 as a spare and with no engine. It was then acquired by Tom Wheatcroft in 1964. It will race at Silverstone with a 2.5-litre Offenhauser engine, which has been built in Cincinnati and was delivered to Bronson in May.

Bronson said: “I bought it from the Donington Collection,” confirmed Bronson. “It’s going to be close to be ready for Silverstone, but we should do it. It would be lovely to give it a debut race at the Silverstone Classic. It’s really exciting. I’ve always wanted a front-engined Grand Prix car and this is just about the last of them. It’s just incredible; such an exciting car.

Bristol-based Bronson has been working flat out to get the car ready to race at the end of July and has had a replica set of bodywork made so that the original can be safely stored away in case of damage. “It will run in exactly the same livery,” he confirmed.

Silverstone Classic Event Director, Nick Wigley added: “We are really excited to welcome the Scarab to the Silverstone Classic and to be hosting the return to racing of such a rare car, and so pleased to see it will be running in its proper form with a 2.5-litre engine, and in its original livery. The car should be very competitive on the GP circuit so we expect to see Julian on the podium, hopefully a just reward for all the effort he will have put in.”