Lamborghini Super Trofeo |
It is recognition long overdue, but a year short of six decades since Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in Bologna, Italy, the Italian entrepreneur was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit in the US for his immeasurable contributions to the automotive industry.
Lamborghini was not only instrumental in establishing the famous Italian automotive brand in 1963, but his unrelenting desire to constantly improve and innovate resulted in the creation of two of the most iconic models in the vehicle realm: the Miura and the Countach.
Ferruccio’s approach was always daring, fuelled by the belief that the unexpected could be achieved by always striving to be better. His pioneering spirit is still a core part of the brand DNA today. A marble plaque etched with Ferruccio Lamborghini’s signature has been installed in the Hall of Honor at the Automotive Hall of Fame, celebrating the men and women whose automotive innovations have changed the world and revolutionised our way of life.
Ironically, while Ferruccio was dead set against supporting any racing of his cars, it was exposure through motorsport (sometimes very limited) that enhanced the reputation of the marque, starting with the P400 prototype (that became the Miura) and some highly modified prototypes built by test driver Bob Wallace, such as the Miura SV-based “Jota” and the Jarama S-based “Bob Wallace Special”.
After this, Lamborghini was briefly involved with the BMW M1 project in the mid-1970s, and in 1985 the British importer of Lamborghini developed the Countach QVX in conjunction with Spice Engineering for the 1986 Group C championship season. One car was built, competing in only one race – the non-championship 1986 Southern Sun 500 km race at Kyalami in South Africa.
From 1989 to 1993, Lamborghini was a Formula One engine supplier with minimal success. In late 1991 a Konrad KM-011 Group C sports car used Lamborghini power, running a few races before the project was cancelled. Then, from 1996 to 1999, two racing versions of the Diablo were built for the single-model Diablo Supertrophy racing series – in reality, the precursor to the current Lamborghini Super Trofeo international racing series.
This one-make series, started in 2009, which exclusively involves identical Huracán Super Trofeo Evo model cars, sees drivers compete in three continental series in Europe, Asia and North America, followed by a World Final – and the Huracán STO takes its name in recognition of this series.
Report by Paul van Gass | Images © Automobili Lamborghini/Erik Mayrink
