Nimrod
Nimrod

Nimrod

(1981 - 1984)

Nimrod Racing Automobiles was formed in 1981, a partnership between Robin Hamilton, who had already had experience with RHAM/1, and Victor Gauntlet, the then new Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda and also Pace Petroleum. Hamilton needed a partner to share the financial burden, and Aston Martin wanted to see their name on a racing car again.

Nimrod

The chassis of this new car was designed by Eric Broadley from Lola cars who also had had previous experience with the Aston Martin V8 in the Lola T70 in 1967. Engines were prepared by Aston Martin Tickford Ltd, then a subsidiary of AML. Whilst the AML factory was not actually directly involved in building or running the cars, racing success, especially at Le Mans would reflect very well on the company.

 Five cars were built in total, one development car and four others to both Group C and IMSA specifications. The cars were raced extensively between 1982 and 1985 on both sides of the Atlantic (Daytona, Miami, Sebring, Watkins Glen Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Le Mans); with mixed results. The best result at Le Mans was a 7th place in 1982 and 3th overall in the World Sportscar Championship.

This Nimrod, chassis number 3, in FIA Group C specification, features the original body style. This photograph was taken whilst the car was on display at Coys Historic Festival, 1995.

 

 

 

This is chassis number 5, the final car, which features the attractive evolution bodywork designed by Ray Mallock. Photographed at Donnington Park in 1997, and Silverstone in 2000, my duties as a trainee track marshal prevented me from taking any other photographs. Needless to say, my marshalling career stopped right there.

 

Nimrod Racing Automobiles was forced to cease trading and racing in August 1983. At the time, the company was developing the highly advanced carbon fibre C3 car for the 1984 season. Here is the wind tunnel model and the tub for the chassis 006 which, as yet, has not been completed.

 

Below are some images that I acquired from a very old Nimrod Press pack (so copyright Nimrod Automobiles I guess). They show two cars running in IMSA races and a team photo which includes Victor Gauntlett.