Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Iconic Auctioneers are delighted to be asked to present to market this significant piece of British Motorsport history - Tim Harvey’s 'Labatt's' RS500 from the 1989 and 1990 BTCC Seasons. Built by the renowned Andy Rouse Engineering team for the 1989 season, this was a front-running car during the 1989 BTCC season, achieving two wins and third overall in 'Class A'. At the end of the year, the car was shipped to Macau to take part in the annual end of season event and running the Watsons Water livery, this very car won the Macau event with Tim at the wheel.
After it’s success in Macau, the same car was used by Tim for the 1990 season, this time with the updated Labatt’s livery achieving third in Class again and fourth overall in the Championship. The car has remained in this original livery as it ended 1990, making it probably one of the most original BTCC 'Group A' examples.
After the 1990 season, the car remained in private hands before being shipped out to Australia 2008, where it did only one race in Touring Car Masters. In 2011, it was bought by renowned UK racer, Paul Smith and shipped back to these shores. Paul race-prepared the car for big events like the Silverstone Classic and Gold Cup at Oulton Park and shared the drive with its original driver, Tim Harvey.
During Paul’s ownership, a new engine was fitted with modern engine management system (original ARE stamped head and original ECU included) and the renowned ex-Mountune engineer, Dave Hill, has looked after the engine.
More recently, the current enthusiast owner has invested in the car to keep it in ready to go mechanical condition. Indeed, last year the car was ran at Brands Hatch at the Touring Car event and was driven round the track in a demonstration run by Tim Harvey. This year, Jonny Smith featured the car on his YouTube Channel, The Late Brake Show, when Tiff Needell drove the car around Mallory Park, a video we highly recommend watching (https:// www. youtube. com/ watch?v=qqC366iJu8Q).
The current owner sends the car to AWS for new oils and filters and inspection every time it runs. The 'Labatt's' now runs Ohlins shocks, all set up by Mardi Gras and all the original shocks are included (Spax). Two sets of original wheels are also included along with a new set on the car with new tyres fitted from when Tim drove it last year at Brands Hatch.
Other than these practical recent additions, the car is seen to be totally original, all original paint and graphics, original seat, exactly how Tim finished racing the car in 1990. The vendor had the car ceramic-coated inside and out in the interest of preservation. It lives in a heated bubble since it joined his Collection a few years ago.
Due to the fluid nature of Motorsport where constant development is the norm, it’s extremely rare to come across an unrestored 'Group A' racing car with a straight line of ownership and assured provenance, making this a rare find for any collector. Combine this with the fact it could be entered and raced at a variety of high quality events across the world makes this perhaps an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a significant piece of British Motorsport history.
Photo Credit; With thanks to Evo Magazine.
