Video: Get a closer look at this Hepworth GB-1 Can-Am at Festival of Speed

25th July 2024

Simon Ostler

The later years of Can-Am are not as revered as the series’ original 1966-1974 run. The monsters of that initial era were wiped out by financial struggles, and instead replaced by slightly less eye-opening rebodies of recycled Formula 5000 cars.

Among the cars built to race in this later period of Can-Am was this Hepworth GB-1. Originally developed as the BRM P230, a Formula 1 car that was shelved during its early phases of testing (this version of BRM was a distant relative to the team that won a world championship in 1962), one chassis was bought by the Hepworth family and transformed into a closed-wheel Can-Am machine, complete with 5.0-litre Chevrolet V8.

The car was almost irreparably damaged during a big testing shunt before it could ever actually race, and thus was consigned to warehouse status for almost 40 years, until in 2016 the Hepworth’s decided to rebuild chassis and return the car to its former glory.

Finished in a papaya livery, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was in fact some sort of McLaren racer, but this is the Hepworth GB-1, and we had the incredible rare chance to see it in action at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard.

We certainly heard it, too. We’ve got somewhat used to the sound of Can-Am V8s at Goodwood just recently, and the noise of this one flying up the Hill was equally ear-stimulating. This compilation put together by 19Bozzy92 gives us an excellent view of the car in action.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: NASCAR Indy masterclass cutting through the field