The first BMWera Rollers

Quirky soapbox racers are now an iconic part of Rolls-Royce’s heritage

Rolls-Royce has completed the restoration of two iconic soapbox racers, known as RR-0.01 and RR0.02.

These unique vehicles, which triumphed in the Goodwood Soapbox Challenge, hold the distinction of being the very first four-wheeled creations (are they “cars”?) by Rolls-Royce under BMW’s stewardship.

Between 2000 and 2013, the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK included a particularly thrilling event known as the Soapbox Challenge. This competition, defined by its highspeed, gravity-powered racers, saw carmakers competing for glory down a steep hill.

The event was the stage for RR0.01 and RR-0.02’s victories in 2001 and 2002, with Rolls-Royce’s then design director, Ian Cameron, at the helm.

In an impressive display of speed and engineering, Cameron reached a top speed of 116km/ h during the final year of the challenge in 2013, securing the Newton Apple trophy.

The restoration of RR-0.01 and RR-0.02 is emblematic, marking the vehicles as the first creations of Rolls-Royce in the “Goodwood era”, post its acquisition by BMW.

This period was inaugurated after a prolonged bidding war with Volkswagen for the iconic British brand, with BMW emerging victorious and subsequently launching its first modern automobile, the Phantom, to a customer on the stroke of midnight, 1 January 2003.

The RR-0.01 is constructed from fibreglass, carbon fibre, and aluminium, while RR-0.02 is crafted from aluminium and carbon fibre, enhanced with with leather trim.

The latter also features a formula racing steering rack and tubular tyres for minimised rolling resistance.

The restoration project, undertaken by a dedicated team of apprentices, was not just about repairing the wear and tear suffered during the heat of competition; it was also an act of preserving and celebrating RollsRoyce’s long heritage and a watershed moment for the future.