McLaren, Lola, and BRM (British Racing Motors) are iconic names in the world of motorsports that ignite the passion of racing enthusiasts worldwide. Recently, one of these legendary V8 racing machines, the 1970-built BRM 154, made a special appearance in Wahlschied on its way to take part the “Legends Parade” at the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix
Tom Neate, an English teacher originally from Britain but residing in Köllertal since 2006, shared the story behind this extraordinary event. He revealed, “My grandmother, Jean Stanley, was the driving force behind British Racing Motors in the 1970s. My contacts with the company and my passion for racing have never been severed.”
When the opportunity arose to transport the 1970 BRM from England to Austria for the “Legends Parade,” Tom seized the chance to exhibit the sports car outside his English classrooms in Wahlschied for an afternoon.
Accompanied by a specially designed picture depicting the legendary racing car company, Tom Neate proudly presented it to Andrew Hepworth, the current owner of the BRM 154. The photograph, (bottom right), shows Tom’s daughter, Ellie Neate, at the wheel, paying homage to the family’s deep connection to the racing heritage.
After a hiatus of three years, the “Legends Parade” returns to the Austrian Grand Prix program, however, this time, it showcases six classics from the Can-Am series rather than historic Formula 1 racers as in the past.
Former Formula 1 drivers, including David Coulthard, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jos Verstappen, and Mark Webber, will take the wheel during the parade on Sunday, July 2, from 12:25 to 12:45 p.m.
The “warm-up” for the event will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 18:55 to 19:25.
Andrew Hepworth, who inherited the BRM P154 from his father, shared intriguing details about the car.
“The vehicle boasts a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour and has recently been powered by ‘P1 Performance Fuels,’ an eco-friendly and fossil-free fuel,” he explained.
During Saturday’s event, the car will be driven by Dr. Helmut Marko, a former winner of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and currently serves as the head of motorsport at Red Bull.
