Currently reading: Lec CRP1 Formula 1 car to race at Goodwood Festival of Speed
June's Festival of Speed to host classic F1 car, which will attempt to drive the Goodwood hill in under 48 seconds

The Lec CRP1 Formula 1 car will race for the first time in over 35 years at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer.

The car, which will be driven up the famous Goodwood hill by Joe Twyman, was last seen in action at the Thruxton circuit in 1979, racing as part of the Aurora AFX Formula 1 series. 

Powered by a Ford Cosworth engine, the Lec CRP1 made its racing debut in 1977. Its high point came during the Belgain GP in that year, when David Purley lead the race briefly at the Zolder circuit before being overtaken by Niki Lauda. Purely's father, Charles, had provided the financial backing for the local racing team to graduate to Formula 1 in 1973, with the team initially running a secondhand March chassis.

Notably, Purley created headlines later that year when he stopped his car and rushed to help fellow driver Roger Williamson, who was trapped inside his burning car following a crash. Despite repeated rescue attempts, Purley was unable to free Williamson, who died of asphyxiation.

The CRP1 car has been fully restored since being bought from the Purley family two years ago, with the WDK Motorsport team aiming to race up the hill in under 48sec. 

Other notable appearences at the festival include an outing for the rare Fiat S76 land speed record car, which will run for the first time in 100 years, as well as a world record attempt to try and cover 200 miles on a mobility scooter in 24 hours.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place from the 26 to 29 June.

Read more Goodwood Festival of Speed news.

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