Silverstone Auctions has done it again and secured another ex-Ayrton Senna race car for its Spring Sale on 16th May.

Silverstone Auctions has done it again and secured another ex-Ayrton Senna race car for its Spring Sale on 16th May.

This time it’s the 1982 Ralt RT3 in which Senna got his first taste of Formula 3 glory when he drove it to an incredible first place finish in a post-season, non-championship event at Thruxton race circuit.

It turned out to be a sign of things to come as he went on to win the British Formula 3 Championship the following year before progressing in 1984 to his first season in Formula 1 for Toleman, which is the other ex-Senna car that Silverstone Auctions will be offering for sale.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “To obtain one ex-Ayrton Senna race car for auction is amazing but to acquire a second one is a real coup.

“The Spring Sale is shaping up to be one of our most exciting events yet and promises to be a must attend auction for any serious motorsport enthusiast or classic car collector.”

This particular Ralt RT3, estimated at between £110,000 to £125,000, is also the car that Enrique Mansilla raced for West Surrey Racing to second place overall in the 1982 British Formula 3 championship. It has recently undergone a complete restoration at a cost of £75,000.

The Ralt RT3 has a long and successful history in motorsport spanning from 1979 until 1984. During this time many enhancements were made to the car which helped it dominate both British and European Formula 3. The RT3, following rule changes in 1985, later evolved in to the RT30. This was easily distinguished from the RT3 as it had only one sidepod containing a radiator, and a deformable structure panel on the opposing side.

This 1982 Ralt RT3 Formula 3 car was the car that Enrique Mansilla raced for West Surrey Racing to 2nd overall in the championship during the 1982 British Formula 3 season.

At the end of the 1982 season Ayrton Senna had just won the British and European Formula Ford 2000 championships and was making the transition in to British Formula 3 with West Surrey Racing.

Senna got his first taste of Formula 3 glory when he drove this car to a fantastic 1st place finish in a post-season non-championship event at Thruxton race circuit in the UK. The race proved to be an early sign of things to come as, following his win in this car, he went on to win the 1983 British Formula 3 Championship before progressing to his first season racing for Toleman in Formula 1.

The current owner of the car has recently undertaken a complete restoration of the car at the cost of £75,000 to return it to its former Ayrton Senna glory, with all bills available in the history file. It is presented today with full FIA papers and in race ready condition, which is confirmed by its arrival at the auction just days after taking part in the famous 2012 Monaco Classic Grand Prix.

This car is a unique opportunity to buy a piece of genuine Ayrton Senna history that can still be driven and raced Internationally with a guaranteed entry at all significant historic motorsport events that it is eligible for worldwide, including future historic Monaco Classic Grand Prix. Offered sensibly guided today (at a price not much more than Ayrton’s helmet sold for!) your future in historic motorsport starts here.

Nick confirmed: “The other ex-Senna car we have on offer is the Toleman TG184-2 Formula 1 car which he famously drove to second place in the rain-soaked 1984 Monaco GP.”

source: © industrytoday.co.uk | silverstoneauctions.com