A unique piece of automotive history has found its way into the National Motor Racing Museum, but not in the way you might expect! The latest addition to the museum's collection is a fragment of a BMW Art Car, specifically, the right-front bumper, which has an incredible story behind it.
This particular car, adorned with artwork by Australian artist Ken Done, was part of the #32 Team WRT BMW entry at the Bathurst event. Unfortunately, its journey was cut short when it encountered a kangaroo, leading to some unexpected drama.
The car sustained minor damage at Hell Corner during the opening lap, but the kangaroo strike dealt a bigger blow. The impact caused the BMW to shed parts, triggering a mechanical black flag pit stop that ultimately took it off the lead lap. But here's where it gets controversial... should a race car's damaged parts be considered valuable artifacts?
Enter Brad Owen, the quick-thinking curator of the National Motor Racing Museum. While grabbing a coffee behind the pit garage, he spotted the damaged car and recognized its potential as a museum piece. With a keen eye for iconic Australian links and stories, Owen approached the mechanics and secured the right-front bumper for display.
Within just 90 minutes of its race debut, the bumper was hung on the museum wall, becoming the first piece from an ongoing race to find a home there. Owen's decision to act swiftly showcases the museum's commitment to capturing the essence of motor racing, even in its most unexpected moments.
The National Motor Racing Museum, located on the outside of Murray's Corner, is open to the public until 4:30 pm today. So, if you're in the area, why not pay a visit and see this unique piece of automotive art for yourself?
And this is the part most people miss... the story behind the artwork. Ken Done, an Australian artist, created this BMW Art Car in the early 1990s, adding a touch of artistic flair to the world of motor racing. It's a perfect blend of speed and creativity.
So, what do you think? Is preserving race car parts as museum pieces a worthwhile endeavor? Or should they be left to the scrap heap? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Let's spark a discussion and explore the fine line between art and automotive history.
