Motorsport Week spoke with Era Motorsport Team Owner Kyle Tilley about what it was like to bring the fleet of historic Shadow Can-Am cars to the 81st Members’ Meeting at Goodwood.
Era Motorsport was tasked with managing a historic fleet of seven Shadow Can-Am cars at the 81st Goodwood Members’ Meeting on 13-14 April.
Before the celebratory demonstrations around the historic circuit, Era Motorsport had been entrusted with the storage, transportation, testing, and trackside support services for the Shadow fleet.
Motorsport Week had the privilege to speak to Era Motorsport’s Tilley at the Members’ Meeting as he described the thrills and excitement of bringing the Shadows to Goodwood for the very first time.
Q: So Kyle, tell us what it is like to manage these cars here at Goodwood?
KT: So here at Era we’re looking after all of the seven Shadows for James Bartell this weekend. They arrived at the workshop, we’ve gone completely through them, rebuilt various bits and bobs with the car and transported them here this weekend and we’re running them here this weekend. Big, big honour for us to be able to look after these here this weekend with the likes of Jackie Oliver, Tom Kristensen, Marino Franchitti, myself driving them. The bit I’m most excited for is when we first fire them up is just seeing the crowd that gather around them because they don’t sound like any other race car you’ve ever heard. The big block is such a noise that it’s going to be impressive when we all fire them up.
Q: Which Shadows have you personally driven so far?
KT: So yeah, I’ve driven the Mark 2, the George Follmer car from Mosport. I drove it at Road America a year ago. I’ve driven all of Jim [Bartell]‘s Shadows at this point. The amount of attention both the Mark 1s get – the prototype and the Mosport car – is remarkable.
Q: We’ve seen you previously drive a modern Oreca 07 LMP2 car which Era currently runs in IMSA, how do these Shadows compare?
KT: It doesn’t! Like there is nothing remotely close with the current LMP2 car to what we have here with this. Obviously the P2 car is a brilliant car to drive and it’s probably mostly what Era is known for. But when I set up Era Motorsport, it was really aimed purely at the historic markets and we kind of diversified into the modern stuff. I love the modern stuff but it’s all the historic cars that really steal my heart. So I’m delighted to be here at any time we get to be in Goodwood. This is my third or fourth Members’ Meeting and I love it. I’m just delighted to be here and look at the crowds, it’s often rare to have all seven Shadow cars like they are here.
Q: How has it been for Jim Bartell to showcase his fleet of seven Shadows?
KT: I’m just super happy for Jim [Bartell] that he has the chance here in Goodwood to showcase his collection. Jim’s a great guy, he’s so passionate about the Shadow brand and the cars he has. Just to have the opportunity for him to showcase them here in Goodwood is absolutely incredible. He was a bit overwhelmed when he saw the public response to them so it’s gonna be fun.
Q: Are there any specific challenges to managing historics compared to other cars?
KT: Yeah that they are nowhere near as reliable and if we do break something we have to make it, rather than just go to the parts truck and buy a new one. So personally, I quite like that side of it, but it’s kind of one of those things that we’re all very aware if something does go wrong with any of them, it’s a part that we have to make.
Q: And which car will you be driving at this demonstration?
KT: I’m in the orange 1970 Mark 1 Shadow from George Follmer [who] raced it in period at Mosport, it was the only race it ever did and I think I have the dubious title of being the only person to ever finish a race with this car.
Q: Looking at such an aggressive race car, how do you even drive it?
KT: With difficulty! It’s one of those cars like when you’re going along and when you’re rolling, it all makes far more sense than when you’re just sat here stationary.
Q: Why is it important to have these events to keep historic cars going?
KT: Without the historic cars, we wouldn’t have motorsport today as we know it. They’re a key part of history in some of the most iconic brands and drivers, so super important to keep it all going and keep all these old cars on track and you know it’s so much better to see them being used than it is to see them in a museum.
