Ayrton Senna's first car will reappear next month after 30 years of inactivity. This will happen at the Race Retro festival. The Brazilian Formula Ford 1600 car has been completely restored.
Ayrton Senna made his European racing debut in 1981 at Brands Hatch in a Van Diemen RF81. Van Diemen founder Ralph Fjormann Sr. decided to completely rebuild the 528 chassis, which hadn't been seen in public for over 30 years.
After an amazing karting debut, Senna arrived in the UK in early 1981 without a contract on hand. Ralph Fjorman invited the Brazilian to participate in Formula Ford 1600 on the advice of Chico Serra. It was a good idea. After all, Ayrton won already in the third race, won 12 victories in 20 races and won the title.
Fjormand sold Senna's car, but bought it back a few years later. For several years he kept it away from prying eyes. Now he decided to restore it with original specifications and engine. The refurbishment work was carried out in a workshop in Norfolk, where the car was built.
The first car of the three-time F1 world champion Ayrton Senna will reappear on the track on February 24 in Stoneley Park, near Birmingham.
