Aston Martin scores shock victory in the Revival TT race

Aston Martin drivers Simon Hadfield and David Clark celebrated its centenary at Goodwood in some style when its DP212 prototype (above right) scored a shock win in a rain-soaked Royal Autombile Club TT Celebration.

Former Grand Prix star Jean Alesi rocketed into the lead from the front row aboard Anthony Bamford’s Ferrari 250GTO, although he was later penalised for making a jump start (which he denied). Alesi soon tumbled down the order as David Hart put in some searing laps up front in his AC Cobra.

However, a safety car period 12 minutes in bunched up the field as repairs were made to the chicane ‘brickwork’. Racing resumed with 43 minutes left to run, with Chris Harris taking the lead. He held on to the top spot until pitting shortly before half-distance, just as the safety car was deployed after Tom Kristensen dropped his Jaguar E-type into the Lavant gravel trap.

However, heavy rain descended at three-quarter distance (below), with Simon Hadfield coming seemingly from nowhere in the Aston Martin Project 212 to drag himself onto the tail of the twitching Lister which was now being driven by Anthony Reid. Hadfield seemed oblivious to the appalling conditions, and took the lead with two minutes left to run, Reid spinning at Lavant just moments later.

The Scot got going again, only to lose it once again coming out of the chicane. Hadfield took an emotional victory, with Reid recovering for second place. Father and son Graeme and Olly Bryant were third aboard their pole-sitting AC Cobra.