Grand Prix legend Nigel Mansell CBE was one of four greats to be inducted into the Motor Sport Hall of Fame during a star-studded awards ceremony on 7 June. Roger Penske won the US Racing category and Barry Sheene topped the Motorcycle poll, while Brian Redman joined them in recognition for his huge success in Sports Car Racing.
More than 20,000 enthusiasts voted for their favourites, with the winners being announced during the prestigious event at the Royal Automobile Club’s Woodcote Park Clubhouse. Among the racing stars in attendance were Dario and Marino Franchitti, Richard Attwood, Howden Ganley, Mark Blundell, Perry McCarthy, Gordon Murray, David Brabham and Darren Turner.
Last year’s inductee Derek Bell helped to decide the shortlist for the Sports Car Racing category, with the ever-popular Brian Redman topping the vote. Redman won the Targa Florio, Spa 1000km and Sebring 12 Hours in a long and varied career, and beat the likes of Mario Andretti in Formula 5000.
Nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen presented the Lancastrian ace with his award. “This means a great deal,” said Redman. “It’s a great honour and I’m delighted. I drove an awful lot of sports cars, and had a tremendous relationship with Chevron and Lola. The GT40 was one of my favourites, too, then I had two great years with Porsche. I have super memories of sharing with Jacky Ickx – I think he was the best of all those I raced against.”
Earlier in the day, Redman was among those who gave spectacular demonstrations of famous cars and motorcycles on the Captain’s Drive. He took the wheel of a Ford GT40 and was followed by John Watson in a Chevrolet Camaro that evoked the famous 1969 Penske-run Sunoco car. Prodrive’s rally success was represented by a Porsche 911 and a Metro 6R4, while Dario Franchitti put in two thunderous runs aboard an ex-Bruce McLaren M6B Can-Am car.
Baker-turned-racer Paul Hollywood had an emotional ride on a 1960 MV Agusta that had been raced by the late, great John Surtees. The Henry Surtees Foundation was once again the Awards’ charity partner, and a 1972 Surtees TS10/2 was on display at Woodcote Park.
“The voting was really close,” said Motor Sport editor Nick Trott. “They’re all great inductees – it’s a roll-call that celebrates the greatest stars, which is exactly what we wanted. It’s particularly good to see Brian Redman here, and not holding back in the GT40!
“I’m really pleased that we’v¬e had support from the racing community and our partners. The whole thing has been a fitting tribute to the sport we love.”
Enjoy more photos from the evening here.