Classic Car Restoration & Maintenance

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” — Vince Lombardi

Sunday’s Race Day arrived and the setback in quali did nothing to dampen @billrawles and @jackrawles46 spirits — in fact, it fired them up even more 🔥

Starting 19th on a damp track with a rolling start, determination and grit were the name of the game. As the cars roared away, disappearing over the crest on lap one, the anticipation built… until Jack came flying through the start–finish straight in 6th place! Making up 13 places in lap 1 🏎️

The 2-hour race was shared between father and son with a 45min / 30min / 45min split, each stint demanding focus and consistency. With strategy, pit stops, and track conditions at play, the true result was only clear in the final laps.

Jack’s closing laps were tense and electric, carving through the field and bringing the car home to take the chequered flag in 6th overall (out of 37) — and 1st in the GT3 class! 🏆 @gtandsportscarcup @algarve_classic_festival @autodromodoalgarve

The emotion, joy, relief, and sheer excitement were palpable. The @billrawlesclassiccars support crew — @willc0x and @waggerman69 — were exemplary all weekend. We’re truly blessed to have such a strong, skilled, and hardworking team behind us.

As Henry Ford said:

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

A perfect way to close out the 2025 season — with resilience, teamwork, and a podium finish to remember. ❤️

#billrawlesclassiccars #austinhealey #healey3000 #historicmotorsport #classiccars #sportscar #racecar #motorsport #keephealeysracing #gtandsportscarcup #historicracing #algarveclassicfestival #portimao #algarve #portugal #fatherandson #racing #racingtogether #raceday #teamwork #resilience ...

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus

So, quali didn’t go to plan! 😅
@billrawles was out first and just starting to get to grips with the track — the car felt great — when it suddenly went into a half spin, leaving a damaged front wing.

Bill explained:

“The car I had just overtaken had nowhere to go and hit the front wing. I felt terrible because I thought I’d made a mistake. I carried on, and on the next lap the oil flags were out.”

The mystery solved — Bill had been the first to hit oil on track before the flags appeared. Unlucky timing! 💥

A driver change was still needed to complete quali. The team quickly taped up the front wing to enable @jackrawles46 to complete the minimum laps required to Quali. With only 7 laps completed out of a possible 16, the father–son duo qualified 19th out of 37. Reports from other drivers confirmed heavy oil and debris on the circuit! We never did recover our front headlight 😟

Before Sunday’s race, the @bill_rawles_classic_cars team pulled together to straighten the wing. Once the shape was right, Jack Rawles unleashed his GCSE art skills 🎨 to create a clever livery cover-up — turning a potential disaster into a display of teamwork and humour.

They say “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.”
Safe to say, the Rawles duo showed plenty of both. 💪

#billrawlesclassiccars #austinhealey #healey3000 #historicmotorsport #classiccars #sportscar #racecar #motorsport #keephealeysracing #gtandsportscarcup #historicracing #algarveclassicfestival #portimao #algarve #portugal #fatherandson #racing #racingtogether #qualifying #adversity #team #teamwork ...

Racing Together at Portimão 🇵🇹🏁

25th-26th October 2025
When an opportunity rises for a father & son race trip, it has to be seized. A last-minute decision, and the duo made it happen — wrapping up the 2025 season in style with @gtandsportscarcup during the @algarve_classic_festival at the legendary @autodromodoalgarve

It’s been 10 years since @jackrawles46 last raced here — but this was @billrawles first time taking on the thrilling Portimão Circuit. A few late nights on the sim, a pep talk from Jack, and a short practice before quali… and they were ready to go! Bill had been told by other drivers to expect tarmac and sky - he soon found out what this meant!!

🏁 Key Highlights of the Portimão Race Track:

🎢 Famous for its rollercoaster-style elevation changes and blind Crests.
📅 Opened in 2008 — built in just seven months at a cost of €195 million.
📍 Located in southern Portugal, near the coastal city of Portimão.
📏 4.653 km / 2.891 miles with 15 corners (9 right, 6 left).
👥 Capacity for 100,000 spectators.
🏆 FIA Grade 1 certified — hosted Formula 1 in 2020 & 2021.
🏍 Regular stop for MotoGP & WSBK, loved by riders worldwide.
🌟 The Algarve region was once Ayrton Senna’s European base.
🚗 Includes a karting track & driver training facilities.

The Algarve International Circuit is more than just a racetrack — it’s a playground of adrenaline, precision, and breathtaking scenery.

Here’s to unforgettable laps, family memories, and the perfect end to the racing year.

#billrawlesclassiccars #austinhealey #healey3000 #historicmotorsport #classiccars #sportscar #racecar #motorsport #keephealeysracing #gtandsportscarcup #historicracing #algarveclassicfestival #portimaõ #algarve #portugal #fatherandson #racingtogether ...

BRCC racing team wins GT3 Class in GT & Sports Car Cup 2 hour endurance race in Portugal.

During the weekend of 24, 25, 26th October 2025 the Bill Rawles Classic Cars race team travelled to Portimao in Portugal to compete.

The 37 car field lined up on Sunday morning for a 2 hour endurance race. The week before had enjoyed 25 degrees and sunshine but race day had some damp conditions in store.

FSL 246, driven by Bill & Jack Rawles qualified in 19th overall but not without incident. Unfortunate contact in qualifying with a TR4 meant that the Healey had some battle scars. Bill and the team repaired the car, panel beating back into shape and duct taping to stop any flaking paint from falling off... adding an artistic livery as a one off special!

The race was hard fought but the damp conditions suited the 3000. Starting 19th, the track was incredibly greasy. The Healey will use around 0.8 litre of fuel per minute, and with a 120 minute race... you can do the maths. The 100L tank was brimmed.

In the greasy conditions, the 3000 with Jack behind the wheel carved through the field, up to 5th place overall in the first few laps.

After a 45 minute stint, the car was handed over to Bill who raced for a further 30 minutes showing good pace and holding position. As per the race rules, the car was then handed back to Jack for the remaining 45 minutes.

The car ran faultlessly all weekend supported by Will & Andy.

Final finishing position was 6th overall and 1st in class.

A great way to end what has been a successful racing season but equally a relatively quiet one. 2026 is already looking very busy and now the hard work starts to get ready for 26`!
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#austinhealey #healey3000 #austinhealey3000 #austinhealey100 #healey100 #historicmotorsport #classiccarrestoration #restoration #classic #classiccar #sportscar #britishsportscar #bighealey #carsofinstagram #workshop #billrawlesclassiccars #goodwood #goodwoodrevival #motorsport #racing #rawles @gtandsportscarcup ...

Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 has arrived!

This car has arrived for an inspection, report, general servicing and long term support and storage. This grand tourer is an interesting new car to us, a striking shape and interesting colour, this makes for an excellent continental tourer.
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#Ferrari #Ferrari330 #classiccarrestoration #restoration #classic #classiccar #sportscar #britishsportscar #bighealey #carsofinstagram #workshop #billrawlesclassiccars #goodwood #goodwoodrevival #motorsport #racing #rawles ...