Video: Ford's secret weapon | Goodwood Masters | GRR
Goodwood’s events are graced by some of the most iconic racing liveries in the business, from the stripes of Martini to the blue and orange of Gulf, but there is one that always stands out at the Revival and Members’ Meetings, not least because the cars carrying it tend to be leading the pack; the red and gold of Alan Mann Racing.
Racing loves a giant-slaying story and Alan Mann’s is no exception, the talented amateur who ran a small racing team for a blue oval dealership in Southwick was invited to race stateside by Ford of America. The two Ford of Britain Cortinas he prepared promptly finished first and second in the Marlboro 12-hour race, beating the factory-entered Ford Falcons, giving Alan Mann the impetus to set up his own racing outfit. His first contract was, naturally, with Ford.
Success after success followed with Falcons, Mustangs, Cortinas, Cobras and GT40s while the roll call of drivers reads like a Hall of Fame rundown; Sir John Whitmore, Frank Gardner, Graham Hill, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Oliver, Sir Jackie Stewart, Jack Sears, Jack Brabham and literally too many more to list here.
Now in the capable hands of Alan’s son Henry after a long hiatus, Alan Mann Racing is once again winning everything in sight in the world of historic racing. Here’s how they put those red and gold machines on the front of the grid.
Thumbnail image courtesy of Motorsport Images.