Interest in the 992 Register visit to Williams F1 Heritage Centre facility quickly led to the maximum numbers of 25 guests being reached and although there were a few unfortunate cancellations in the weeks leading up to the event, the wait list was always a great back up to enable the register to retain this attendance.
Located at the main Williams F1 Facility at Grove, Oxfordshire the events team at Williams F1 Heritage arranged for all our 992’s (and a Macan GTS) to be allocated to a unique parking on arrival and we were warmly welcomed by Sophie, who led us to our designated meeting room for coffee and pastries.
At the allocated time of 10.30a.m. Sophie took us into the main Heritage Museum collection which houses more than 40 of the team's seminal race cars, it is one of the largest private collections of F1 cars in the world, charting the team's history. The collection spans the entire history of Williams, commencing with the inaugural Williams FW06 up to the present day. Displays include Alan Jones’ championship winning car from 1980, the infamous FW08 six-wheeler, and many championship winning cars from Damon Hill, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell. Highlights from the modern era F1 collection include Jenson Button’s first-ever Formula 1 car from the 2000 season and Juan Pablo Montoya’s winning car from the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix and Ayrton Senna's last racing vehicle.
We all thought that we were very fortunate to have Sophie as our guide as throughout the whole time, she continued to illustrate and explain detailed changes to the cars from the 1980’s to the present day. F1 cars have certainly progressed through regular changes but the greatest of all has been the increase in size, length and width and certainly weight during this period. Some changes for safety, but others for actual performance.
Everyone seemed fully immersed in the way we had this explained to us and for sure all 992 owners have been updated with all things F1 and especially the Williams Family dedication, energy and success along the way.
About half of the group continued the event with a short drive to the next village arriving at the Fox at Denchworth, where owner Stephen Davidson had arranged for the 992’s to be parked across the road from The Fox at the Manor House. The Register members were delighted to be able to do this and the line of cars looked impressive in this stunning location.
We were very grateful to Stephen for providing a wonderful and tasty lunch for us and especially the welcome we received from himself and the staff at the Fox which made a perfect culmination for yet another enjoyable and successful 992 Register event …… Thanks to everyone who attended……
David Wood – 992 Register Secretary
30th June 2024