James Hunt's Legendary Hesketh 308 to Headline Adelaide Motorsport Festival

The legendary 1974 Hesketh 308, the car in which James Hunt scored his breakthrough victory, is set to make its debut at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. This iconic machine, a symbol of the flamboyant 1970s F1 era and featured in the film Rush, will be driven by owner James Hagan on the city's streets. Its appearance adds a significant historical centerpiece to an already impressive lineup of classic Formula 1 cars.

Why it matters:

The Hesketh 308's presence is a powerful link to Formula 1's romantic past, a time of independent teams and charismatic drivers. For fans, it's a rare opportunity to see and hear a historically significant car driven in anger, bringing the stories from books and films to life on a real track. It underscores the importance of historic motorsport in preserving and celebrating the sport's rich legacy for new generations of enthusiasts.

The details:

• The Hesketh 308 is famous for delivering Hunt his first major win at the 1974 International Trophy at Silverstone and his first F1 pole position later that year at Brands Hatch.
• The car also has Australian ties, as it was driven by Alan Jones during his debut F1 season in 1975, five years before he won the world title.
• Designed by Harvey Postlethwaite and powered by the venerable Cosworth DFV V8 engine, it remains a star of the historic racing scene worldwide.
• Strong F1 Contingent: The Hesketh will share the track with a diverse range of F1 machinery, including two turbocharged Ferrari 156/85s from 1985, V10-era Arrows A21/A22, and a Jaguar R2 from 2001.
• Bottas's Run: Valtteri Bottas will drive one of the 1985 Ferraris, a significant appearance just one week before he is set to race for Cadillac in the Australian Grand Prix.

What's next:

The Adelaide Motorsport Festival, running from February 28 to March 1, promises more than just historic F1 action. The event will feature a packed program with V8 Supercars, touring cars, and drift cars, alongside off-track attractions for fans. For those in attendance, seeing the Hesketh 308 roar to life will be a tangible connection to a golden era of motorsport.