Let’s get straight to the point: David and Olivier Hart win the world’s most prestigious classic car race at Goodwood Revival ’18. The Royal Automobile Club TT race remains the most beautiful race of this event, featuring the fastest drivers in motorsport and the best-prepared GT classic racing cars in the world.
During qualifying, it was already clear that the Hart gentlemen would be highly successful. David immediately set his best time ever, and “youngster” Olivier Hart even went one better, securing pole position for the race with a time of 1:24.5, the best time ever. David Hart, always so fast to start, had a bit of a hiccup at the start but still managed to steer the blue Cobra into the corner first after the straight. With a whole field behind him, he had to maintain supreme concentration to keep his pursuers behind him, something he managed superbly. Unfortunately, on the second lap, he slightly grazed the chicane and was penalized 5 seconds. A penalty was handed to him; everyone immediately thought, “We can’t do this with such a penalty.” David managed to open up a very small gap until the pit stop, after which Olivier took off like a rocket to clear the 5-second penalty.
Lap after lap, with minimal traffic disruption, Olivier built such a gap over the competition that the Cobra regained the lead. With an 18-second lead at the finish line, they secured victory at Goodwood, the second time for David, but the first time together with his son Olivier. Both men received the laurel wreath, cigars, and accompanying trophy from Lord March.
Not only was the TT Trophy a success, but the St. Mary’s Trophy was also won with the Alfa GTA, which Olivier drove with Tom Coronel. Tom had the eighth fastest time in practice for his race with the Alfa, the race where he ultimately retired from seventh with a gearbox problem. Olivier managed to get the GTA to the first place during his practice. He took the lead almost immediately in this strong field and held on to it throughout the race. Congratulations from Lord March, along with the accompanying trophy and cigar.
Last but not least was the race with the Lister. Things were a bit difficult with the car after a gearbox change on Friday, resulting in an eleventh-place starting time. After a good start and climbing to P8 in the opening laps, David found himself in a tough battle with cars directly in front and behind him, ultimately resulting in a respectable eighth-place finish.
Results:
TT Trophy
- D. Hart/O. Hart AC Cobra
- J. Minshaw/P. Keen Jaguar E-Type
- Whitaker/Jordan TVR
St. Mary Trophy
- O. Hart Alfa GTA
- R. Wills Mercury
- S. Soper Lotus Cortina
Tom Coronel retired from race 1.
Sussex Trophy
- P. Keen Lister Jaguar
- R. Wills Lotus Climax
- O.Bryant Lotus Climax
8. D. Hart Lister Jaguar