In what will we not be an often recurring theme, we today celebrate March Monday with three early 1980s racing cars to wear the famous five letters. Having competed in Formula 1 between 1970 and 1977, the specialist manufacturer opted to focus on more lucrative markets. The March name returned to F1 in 1981 with this 811 Cosworth. It really was a March in name only as the company behind the car was a separate entity that was formed by March founder Robin Herd and RAM Racing's John Macdonald. Designed by Gordon Cuppock, the 811 was inspired by and served to replace the Williams FW07s raced by RAM Racing in 1980. It was not particularly successful and spelled the end of the brief partnership between Herd and Macdonald. Our article includes two examples one of which has been consigned to next week's RM Sotheby's Amelia Island Sale.
Even though the partnership had ended, RAM Racing retained the March name for the 821 Cosworth campaigned during the 1982 season. Designed by Adrian Reynard, it was a development of the 811 but again proved to be not particularly successful.
Offered from the same collection as the 811, this March 83G Chevrolet is also consigned to the upcoming RM Sotheby's sale. A proper March Engineering built machine, it was one of the first racing cars designed by Adrian Newey. The second example produced for the 1983 season, it scored a debut win early in 1983 and two further victories in 1984. Chassis 83G/02 was also raced once by Emerson Fittipaldi.

On Sunday, the great Bobby Unser passed away. He was a legend of American motorsport, with his many achievements including winning the Pikes Peak Hill Climb ten times and scoring three Indy 500 victories. He was also crowned the USAC national champion twice. In 1981, he took his final Indy 500 win with this Penske PC9B Cosworth. It was a controversial victory that did not become final until October of 1981. The PC9B was one of Indy racing's first ground effect cars and dominated the season.
In somewhat related news, it was announced this week that Team Penske and Porsche will team up for the upcoming LMDh campaign in the FIA WEC and United SportsCar Championship from 2023 onwards. It will give Roger Penske a unique opportunity to score the Le Mans win that has eluded him so far. This announcement will have the rest of the field worried as the Penske and Porsche partnership has been very successful in the past. That started with Can-Am where the Penske-run Porsche 917/30 absolutely annihilated the competition.
Following a sneak peak offered a few weeks ago, Ferrari have now revealed every detail, including the name, of the limited production Ferrari 812 Competizione. As had already been revealed earlier, it is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 that can rev to 9,500 rpm and has a maximum output of 817 bhp. The front-engined GT is also equipped with a sophisticated rear-wheel steering system. In addition to the Coupe, Ferrari will also produce the open 812 Competizione A.

Today, the May edition of the online-only Gooding Geared Online auctions will open for bidding. Among the 87 consignments are three high performance Porsche models. The earliest and most valuable of the trio is one of just 14 examples of the Porsche 968 Turbo S built by the Porsche Motorsport department in 1993. Quite possibly the most extreme front-engined sports car produced by Porsche, it combined the lightweight Club Sport chassis and a 300 bhp four-cylinder engine. The Turbo S consigned was finished a paint-to-sample orange and was originally acquired by a German enthusiast. Today, it is one of five known to be in the United States and has a startling pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $1.25 million.
Offered from a single ownership of fifteen years is this 993-generation 911 Turbo S. It benefits from a selection of GT2-inspired upgrades like hardback sports seats in the front and no seats in the rear.
The most modern of the Porsches consigned is this 918 Spyder. Built in 2015, it only has 1,400 miles on the odometer and should sell for around $1 million. The lots will start closing on Friday from 9 am Pacific Time.
Ahead of the car's official debut, Renault revealed full details of its new junior category rally car. Dubbed the Clio Rally4, it is powered by a small four-cylinder engine that is still good for 215 bhp.

Today we celebrate Ferrari Friday with four interesting examples that are due to cross the block at the upcoming RM Sotheby's Amelia Island sale.
The newest of the quartet is this F40, which was one of the very last examples produced. It has survived in a beautiful original condition and has a pre-sale estimate of $1.8 - $2.2 million. The 1970s are represented by this rare 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider. The 36th example built, this car was shown at the 1972 New York Auto Show and was owned by the original owner until his passing during the late 1980s. With just 13,000 original miles on the odometer, it should sell for over $2.25 million. Another open Ferrari consigned is this 250 GT Cabriolet Series 2. Delivered new to the Rome area, it has recently been Ferrari Classiche certified and then fully restored. Offered from a single ownership since 1973 is this 275 GTB/4. Benefitting from a recent Bob Smith Coachworks restoration, it is now offered for the first time in nearly 50 years with a $2.5 - $2.8 million estimate.
Audi have offered a first glimpse of the company's return to sports car racing with this rendering of the upcoming LMDh car. As per the regulations for this category, it will be built on a third party chassis with the engine and bespoke bodywork provided by Audi. Due to start testing in 2022, it will debut at the Daytona 24 Hours in 2023 and is also eligible to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new LMDh racer will also be made available to customer teams.

Ahead of the official launch early in July, Lotus have revealed the first glimpse and the name of the new Type 131 sports car; the Emira. Due to replace the Elise after a 25-year production run, it will most likely be the last all-new Lotus powered by an internal combustion engine. This is probably be Toyota's familiar V6 as well as a four-cylinder engine of which the origins are not yet known. The covers will come off the Emira on July 6 and it will then make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed a few days later.
Aston Martin's mighty four-cam V8 engine has powered quite a few competition cars over the years, starting with the Lola T70 in the late 1960s. It was also used in Group C racing in a variety of cars throughout the 1980s. Among them was the Emka 83C/1 that was developed by the Steve O'Rourke owned team. The Pink Floyd manager and noted gentleman racer commissioned GT40 designer Len Bailey to pen the car. The one-off 83C/1 finished 17th at Le Mans in 1983, making it the first British car home. The team sat out the 1984 season but then returned with the 84C/1, which was a further development of the 1983 car. It was raced at several events in 1985 and finished a commendable eleventh overall at Le Mans that year. Both cars have survived and have been raced at historic meetings with the 84C/1 and 83C/1 both appearing at the Le Mans Classic in 2016.

Ferrari have offered a first glimpse of a new Speciale version of the 812 Superfast. Although the full details, including the actual model name, will not be released until a dedicated event on May 5th, we already know that the range-topping machine will feature a naturally aspirated V12 engine that can rev to a startling 9,500 rpm and produces a staggering 817 bhp. The Speciale also boasts a hugely sophisticated aerodynamics package that includes a vortex-generating panel where the rear window would normally have been.
Auctioneer Gooding have revealed further consignments to their upcoming Geared Online sale. Headlining the May edition is this very rare, alloy-bodied Ferrari 275 GTB/4. One of only 16 built, it also benefits from competition inspired modifications made by the legendary Tom Meade, which includes an external fuel filler cap and alloy wheels. Rarely seen in public, chassis 10025 has a pre-sale estimate of $3.75 - $4.5 million.
Other fabulous, matching numbers sports cars from the 1950s and 1960s include a BMW 507 Roadster ($2.25 - $2.75 million) and a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster ($1.1 - $1.3 million).
The lots will open for bidding on May 3rd and will then start closing on May 7th.