Big-banger ’60s GTs at the 2023 Revival | RAC TT Celebration

The big-banger sportscars all date from the early to mid 1960s and, while not every single one is powered by a V8 engine, that’s definitely the dominant soundtrack when the flag drops and the cars thunder away into Madgwick for the first time.

The roll-call of names on the entry list is a who’s who of motorsport. Fighting for honours will be Gordon Shedden and Jochen Mass aboard AC Cobras, Andy Priaulx and Emanuele Pirro (Jaguar E-types, semi-lightweight in the case of the former) and Darren Turner (Porsche 904 Carerra GTS).

While Cobras and E-types are so often at the sharp end of the RAC TT Celebration grid, there is always plenty of variety throughout the field. Cars like the TVR Griffith, Bizzarrini 5300GT and Cheetah-Chevrolet contribute hugely to the spectacle.

The drivers all got their eye in during the hot weather practice session on Friday. High surface temperatures meant super-sticky tyres with pace to match. Come Sunday's race, the weather had cooled and, then, midway through the race the rain came, just as it was about time for driver changes in the hour-long race.

A few inevitable spills brought out the safety car and a red flag. It was a rolling start that got things under way again, and the drivers were treading on eggshells trying to find any grip on the slick surface. The Cobras lived up to their name, snaking their way down the straights, while the less muscular Jaguar E-types better suited the conditions. It was an E-type that claimed victory, Andy Priaulx crossing the line a clear nine seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

And only then could everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Photography by Nick Wilkinson and Joe Harding