Josh Hill becomes third generation of racing dynasty to drive Lola Red Ball Special.

Double Indy 500 winner wowed by Lola T90.

Over 100,000 fans see Lola blast up the famous hillclimb

Stars of the past and potentially the future were representing Lola at the 19th Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend which was attended by over 100,000 fans.

Taking part in a unique celebration of 100 years of the Indianapolis, the Lola T90 Red Ball Special official factory replica took double Indy 500 winner, Arie Luyendyk and rising British racer Josh Hill to thrilling sprints around the beautiful grounds of Lord March's estate.

For Hill, son of former F1 World Champion, Damon Hill it was an unforgettable moment for both he and his family. Grandfather Graham took the Lola T90 to victory in the 1966 edition of the Indy 500 becoming the first Englishman to take the Borg Warner trophy and taste the famous victory milk in Victory Lane. Father, Damon, paved the way for his long F1 career by racing Lola F3000 cars in the late eighties and early nineties, also getting to sample the Lola T90 at Goodwood in 2008.

“It was such a great experience to drive something that has such a family link,” said Hill. “my grandfather won Indy with Lola and my dad (1996 Formula World Champion Damon Hill) has tried it so it’s really cool to drive this car. It’s pretty quick, too. It has a lot of power so it’s been a very special experience.”

Josh is competing in this year's Formula Renault series and was accompanied by his father at Goodwood. Damon, who spent time looking over the Lola T90 was impressed by the preparation of the T90. "The car looks fabulous and just as it did in 1966 when my father won the Indy 500," said the 1996 F1 World Champion. "it is terrific that Martin Birrane has brought this car and allowed Josh to drive it here at Goodwood this weekend. Lola is a mainstay of the British motorsport industry and has been a constant presence throughout our family down the years with various designs. We even had a horse called Lola when I was a kid!"

Showcasing the workmanship and official Lola factory skills in creating genuine replica and continuation cars the Red Ball Special was reborn after a 1967 Indy 500 accident. Using the original drawings and consulting with Lola engineers from the period that the car was created, Lola's Heritage department undertook the project utilising some original parts from the period car.

Arie Luyendyk who undertook driving duties for Lola in the Red Ball Special T90 on Friday and Saturday was wowed by the event and being part of the Indy 500 celebration. "It has been a fantastic experience to drive this Lola up the hill here at Goodwood," said Luyendyk. "I won the Indy 500 in 1990 with a Lola and I also raced Super Vee and F3 cars for them. Lola always produce fast and exciting cars and I am very proud to have played a small part in their success over the years. I hope they go on forever."

Luyendyk won his first Indy 500 in 1990 with a Doug Shierson entered Lola T90/00. The American domiciled Dutchman was part of the pomp and ceremony Indy 500 start at Goodwood, where Queen guitarist Brian May was part of the pre-run 'Gentlemen start your engines' pageantry.

All pictures courtesy of Jakob Ebrey and Gary 'Hawkeye' Hawkins unless otherwise stated.

Picture courtesy of Ben Cowdrey.



Picture courtesy of Ben Cowdrey.