Era Motorsport had the responsibility of managing a collection of seven Shadow Can-Am cars at the 81st Goodwood Members Meeting on April 13th and 14th. Before the demonstrations on the historic circuit, Era Motorsport was responsible for storing, transporting, testing, and providing on-track support for the Shadow fleet.
Q: Kyle, can you share your experience managing these cars at Goodwood?
KT: Here at Era, we are taking care of the seven Shadows for James Bartell this weekend. We received them in the workshop, thoroughly inspected them and made necessary repairs to the cars, and then transported them to Goodwood. Throughout the weekend, we will be running and overseeing their performance. It is a tremendous honor for us to be entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of these cars, especially with renowned drivers like Jackie Oliver, Tom Kristensen, Marino Franchitti, and myself behind the wheel. What I am most excited about is the reaction of the audience when we start the engines. The sound of these cars is like nothing they have ever heard before. The powerful roar of the large engines will certainly leave a lasting impression.
Q: Which Shadows have you personally driven so far?
KT: I had the opportunity to drive the Mark 2, specifically George Follmer’s car from Mosport. I got to drive it at Road America about a year ago. I have also driven all of Jim Bartell’s Shadows so far. The level of attention that both the Mark 1 prototypes and the Mosport car receive is truly remarkable.
Q: We noticed that you have already driven a modern Oreca 07 LMP2 vehicle, which Era currently operates in IMSA, how do these Shadows compare?
KT: It’s completely different! There is absolutely no resemblance between the current LMP2 car and what we have here. Of course, the P2 car is an excellent vehicle to drive and is probably what Era is most known for. However, when I established Era Motorsport, it was mainly focused on historic markets and gradually expanded to modern things. I like modern cars, but it’s the historic ones that really capture my heart. So, I’m thrilled to be here whenever we have the opportunity to be at Goodwood. This is my third or fourth Members’ Meeting and I love it. I am simply delighted to be here and look at the crowd. It’s rare to have all seven Shadow cars gathered as they are here.
P: How has it been for Jim Bartell to display his collection of seven Shadows?
KT: I am incredibly happy for Jim [Bartell] to have the opportunity here at Goodwood to showcase his collection. Jim is a fantastic person, he has such a strong passion for the Shadow brand and the cars he owns. It’s absolutely amazing to see him being able to exhibit them here at Goodwood. He was a bit overwhelmed when he saw the public’s response to them, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.
P: Are there specific challenges to managing historic cars compared to other vehicles?
KT: Yes, the main challenge is that they are much less reliable. If something breaks, we can’t just go to the parts truck and buy a new one. We have to make the necessary repairs ourselves. Personally, I quite like that aspect, but we are all aware that if something goes wrong with any of them, it’s up to us to fix it.
P: And which car will you be driving in this demonstration?
KT: I will be driving George Follmer’s 1970 orange Shadow Mark 1, which raced at Mosport during its time. It only participated in one race, and I believe I hold the somewhat dubious title of being the only person to finish a race with this car.
P: When you look at such an aggressive racing car, how do you manage to operate it?
KT: With great difficulty! It’s one of those cars where everything makes much more sense when you’re in motion, rather than just standing still here.
P: Why is it important to have these events to maintain the legacy of historic cars?
KT: Without historic cars, motorsport as we know it today would not exist. They are a vital part of history, representing some of the most iconic brands and drivers. It is incredibly important to keep the legacy alive and ensure that these old cars continue to race on the track. Seeing them being used is much more rewarding than seeing them confined to a museum.
© 2024
The world of sports is buzzing with the bombshell news that has just emerged. According to reliable sources, one of the greatest football players of today is about to sign a new millionaire contract with a European club. The information was released today and is already causing a stir among sports fans.
According to sources, the player is reportedly unhappy with his current club and is seeking new challenges in his career. The contract proposed by the European club is considered one of the largest in football history, with astronomical values involved. There is still no information about the duration of the contract, but it is speculated to be long-term.
The news is already making waves on social media, with fans and experts discussing the possible consequences of this transfer. Some believe that the player will have the opportunity to shine even more in a new environment, while others fear that the pressure and expectations will be too great.
As we await more information about this negotiation, we can only speculate and imagine what the impact of this transfer would be in the world of football. Certainly, it will be a milestone in the player’s career and a big change for the club that signs him.
Stay tuned for more updates on this news and follow closely the developments of this historic transfer. The world of football will never be the same again!
