See F1's final six-wheeler next weekend at Thruxton

By Lizzie Pope
News
 | 29 May 2018
See F1's final six-wheeler next weekend at Thruxton – Classic & Sports Car

Williams' six-wheeled FW08B will be one of the star attractions at Thruxton's 50th Anniversary Celebration next weekend.

This one-of-a-kind machine is one of four Williams Formula One cars heading to the Hampshire circuit for its half-century party – and the only one of the quartet that was never raced.

Designed by Patrick Head and Frank Dernie for the 1983 season, this four-wheel drive, six-wheeled car was tested at Paul Ricard in 1982, where it broke the lap record, and at Donington Park.

But when the FIA's technical regulations for 1983 outlawed six-wheelers and four-wheel drive, FW08B was consigned to the history books before it had seen competitive action.

See F1's final six-wheeler next weekend at Thruxton – Classic & Sports Car

Keke Rosberg's 1983 Williams FW08C will be driven at Thruxton by Karun Chandhok

So, what are the other Williams F1 cars you can see at Thruxton next weekend?

The six-wheeled FW08B will be exhibited with Nigel Mansell's championship-winning FW14B, which took nine grand prix victories, as well as the 2016-season Williams F1 car.

And, as we've previously revealed, former F1 star Karun Chandhok will drive Keke Rosberg's 530bhp Ford Cosworth DFV-powered FW08C on track – this was also the car in which Ayrton Senna enjoyed his first taste of F1 machinery.

Other fantastic racers will also be on show at Thruxton on 2-3 June, including a Lotus 87B F1 car, a GT40 and, bringing GT racing up to date, an Aston Martin Vantage GTE.

There will also be plenty of on-track action. Catch Historic Formula Ford, the HSCC Guards Trophy, the Historic Sports Car Club with the Historic Touring Car Challenge and more, plus high-speed demonstrations and the opening of the new Thruxton Centre, courtesy of Murray Walker and Nigel Mansell.

Find out more about the Thruxton 50th Anniversary Celebration and buy tickets here.