Video: This Can-Am Lola T70 has an incredible history

23rd June 2023

Simon Ostler

There are so many fantastic stories to tell each and every year at Goodwood’s motorsport events, but one particular car caught our eye at the 79^th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport. We’ve seen savage Lola T70s, with their 520PS (382kW), 786Nm (580 lb-ft) Chevrolet V8 engines, in their droves at the Motor Circuit on many occasions, but this one has a remarkable history.

It was bought by the great John Surtees in 1965 and raced for the first time shortly afterwards by Graham Hill, which in itself is a pretty strong list of names for one car.

Driving it at Goodwood was Ewen Sergison, who talks us through what it feels like to drive this beast of a car, outlining several of the challenges he faces over the course of one incredibly high-speed lap. Such is the output from the engine, starting in first gear is, as he puts it: “almost impossible”, so there is no doubt this must be a hugely demanding car to drive both physically and mentally. What a thing.