One lucky motorsport enthusiast has got his or her hands on a piece of racing history after winning the auction for the final go-kart in the illustrious career of racing legend Ayrton Senna.
Senna is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of motor racing, winning three F1 world championship and enjoying an incredible career that was tragically cut short at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when a crash left him with fatal injuries.
Earlier this week, auction house Bonhams put up a very unique lot: the last ever go-kart Senna used in his junior career. The Brazilian raced in the DAP kart at the 1981 world championship race in Parma, Italy, which would prove to be his last as his focus switched to single seaters and the British Formula Ford series.
“The kart was new and prepared to Senna’s preferences before the Parma race, and immediately after was purchased by the present owner from de Angelo Parilla (of DAP) on 20th September 1981,” the listing read. “Harm Schuurmann, competing with Senna at the time in the same team and a longtime friend of the current owner, was present at the deal.
“The kart was purchased without the engine. However, an identical engine as used by Senna has been installed. Presented in ‘as new’ condition, having been used for a maximum of two hours since, it represents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a piece of the Ayrton Senna legend.”
The kart was expected to sell for somewhere between £18,000 and £21,000 ($27,000-$32,000), but eventually went for double that figure, with a final winning bid of £42,969 – or $65,514.
Senna would go on to make his F1 debut in 1984 for Toleman before going on to win the world championship with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991.
