Neil Cunningham always excelled in American V8-powered machines. He is seen here hurrying the Embassy Racing Corvette through the Thruxton Chicane on his way to scoring a well-deserved 2nd-place finish in a British GT race. Photo: James Beckett
Greatest Racecars

Greatest Racecar? Neil Cunningham’s Corvette C5R

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Neil Cunningham always excelled in American V8-powered machines. He is seen here hurrying the Embassy Racing Corvette through the Thruxton Chicane on his way to scoring a well-deserved 2nd-place finish in a British GT race.
Photo: James Beckett

I always loved racing American cars with V8 engines, and I think there is something special about a big V8 engine, whether it be a Ford or a Chevrolet, and during my career I am happy to say I tasted success with both marques.

During the latter stages of my career in Britain I became well known for racing a number of Ford-powered V8s. I really enjoyed driving a 1965 Mustang for its owner, Bob Pepper. I won numerous historic races in this particular car, including the Historic Support Race event alongside the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2008. I also drove a Shelby GT350 with some success, although possibly I am best remembered in that car to have been lucky to escape from a huge accident at Silverstone in which the car crossed from one circuit and onto another of the track’s layouts when the throttle stuck wide open while I was flat out in top gear!

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Steve Natale has been playing with cars ever since he was old enough to first hold a matchbox car in his hand. A lifelong enthusiast of anything old with an engine in it or wheels on it, Steve has been active in the hobby for over 35 years. Currently he owns a successful marketing company with his wife Mary, is an automotive photographer, blogger and writer for several automotive magazines and regular contributor to various automotive websites. Steve has attended vintage car events and visited car museums and collections around the world.
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