- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates the inaugural vehicles ever
pordered in the Goodwood period - Two custom gravity racers participated in the 2001 and 2002
Soapbox Challenges at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before the
manufacturer had officially relaunched - A group of Rolls-Royce Apprentices collaborated to
renovate the cars - The racers have been lent to the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’
Club, and are proudly showcased at their Northamptonshire headquarters
“Looking back at the initial vehicles
ever created at the Home of Rolls-Royce has been a great honor. It may not be common knowledge that, prior to the delivery of the first Phantoms to clients, a pair of custom gravity racers entered the Soapbox Challenge at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed. Retired from racing and now on display at our headquarters, we are thrilled to announce that our Apprentices have diligently restored them to their original state. Two decades after their debut, these
priceless artifacts serve as a reminder of the progress made in the last 20 years at the Home of Rolls-Royce. We are certain that they will be cherished by our friends at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’
Club, contributing to the vast archive of Rolls-Royce’s fascinating history.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage,
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commemorates the pioneering
vehicles of the Goodwood era. Contrary to popular belief, this was not
the first new Phantom handed over to its commissioning client at 00.01
on 1 January 2003; in fact, Rolls-Royce’s modern resurgence began two
years prior, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Soapbox Challenge.
Before Spectre, Cullinan, Ghost or Phantom, there were the
Rolls-Royce Close Coupled Drophead Gravity Racers. A sneak peek into the
brand’s comeback at Goodwood, these four-wheeled, motorless vehicles –
known as RR-0.01 and RR-0.02 – were truly unique commissions,
crafted by the same skilled hands that would soon relaunch the brand in
the West Sussex countryside. With ‘Project Rolls-Royce’ still in its
infancy stages – with planning permission for the new facility recently approved – the racers were ordered to compete in the Soapbox
Challenges at the 2001 and 2002 editions of the Goodwood Festival of
Speed, a demanding downhill race for gravity-powered vehicles.
The design of RR-0.01 offered intriguing hints at the design of the initial Goodwood Phantom. Constructed from carbon and glass fibre,
composite honeycomb plates, and precision aluminium components, its
monocoque shell bore a striking resemblance to Phantom VII, winning
the Best Design award at the 2001 Festival of Speed. It featured a distinctive ‘March Hare’ mascot on its bonnet; the
redesigned Spirit of Ecstasy wouldn’t make its debut on Phantom until
the newly established Goodwood site officially opened its doors in 2003. During the 2001 Soapbox Challenge, it was piloted by Ian Cameron,
Rolls-Royce’s design Director, who managed to outpace the Bentley racer on the final corner.
- Advertisement -
RR-0.02 drew inspiration from the Silver Ghost, victor of the 1911
London to Edinburgh Trial and the 1913 Alpine Trial, feats that solidified Rolls-Royce’s reputation as creators of the ‘best car in
the world’. Similar to its legendary predecessor, RR-0.02 was built for speed, featuring formula racing-style steering racks and smooth, tubular tires to minimize rolling resistance; Ian Cameron led the team to
success in the speed challenge at the 2002 Soapbox race, clinching the Newton Apple award for the fastest racer. Additionally, it was honored with the Merit of Excellence by the ‘Wazir’ of Goodwood, a special award for racers
of exceptional distinction, earning the esteemed title of Grand Soap
Wazir. Crafted from aluminium and carbon fibre, with a painted wood aft
deck and leather trim, it showcased a unique, double-question mark monogram above its grille, providing further clues to the brand’s resurrection at Goodwood.
After these accomplishments, the racers were prominently displayed in
the main reception area of the newly erected Home of Rolls-Royce,
capturing the attention and admiration of curious clients and visitors
for many years. Serving as a tribute to the formative years of the Goodwood site, they would participate in their final Soapbox
Challenge in 2013. Once again, they successfully navigated the course,
with RR-0.02 reaching a remarkable top speed of 72mph on its way to the finish line just outside Goodwood House.
These exceptional vehicles have been meticulously restored to
their original glory by the next generation of skilled artisans and
craftsmen at the Home of Rolls-Royce, ready for the next chapter in
their captivating journey. Recently, the racers went through a complete body and mechanical restoration, overseen by a team of Rolls-Royce
Apprentices. This included a complex repair to the front grille of RR-0.01, and a handmade replacement front-screen veneer for RR-0.02,
both of which were initially damaged during their racing endeavors.
From Goodwood, the racers made their way to the headquarters of the
Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club at Hunt House in Northamptonshire. Here,
they stand proudly among the Club’s unparalleled collection of
Rolls-Royce documentation and memorabilia, more than two decades since they marked a new beginning for the brand.