Spice Engineering etched its name into endurance racing history by capturing multiple World Championship titles. Ascott Collection is proud to offer for sale chassis SE90C-022, the most technologically advanced Spice ever built.

Designed by Graham Humfrys, this naturally aspirated prototype was campaigned in the 1991 World Sportscar Championship (WSC) by the semi-factory Euro Racing team. It immediately established itself as the ultimate alternative to the full-factory works teams:

• Suzuka: 4th overall and the 1st naturally aspirated car home, finishing just behind the works Peugeot 905.

• Monza & Silverstone: Top 5 world finishes, matching the lap times of the leading factory entries.

• 24 Hours of Le Mans: Qualified an impressive 3rd in class before retiring at the 6th hour.

Acquired via Ascott Collection in 2020, the car made a magisterial return to the track following a world-class restoration: securing a podium at the 2022 Dix Mille Tours du Castellet, followed by a resounding victory at Mugello in 2023 against an elite field of Porsche 962s, Nissan R90s, and Jaguar XJRs. Having recently received a brand-new engine block, this Spice offers an outstanding opportunity to join the grid of the most prestigious historic racing series and experience pure driving exhilaration.

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British manufacturer Spice Engineering wrote a genuine success story during the Group C and IMSA eras, successfully commercializing dozens of cars that rose to the very pinnacle of the sport, clinching multiple World Championship titles across both Europe and the United States.

Ascott Collection is proud to offer for sale a proud representative of the marque: chassis SE90C-022, which was campaigned in the 1991 World Sportscar Championship (Group C category).

Penned by Graham Humfrys, the Spice SE90 was destined for the World Sportscar Championship, specifically targeting the 1990 season. Following Spice Engineering’s proven production philosophy, the SE90 was available to customer teams in two configurations: the SE90C, tailored to meet the C1 and C2 regulations of the World Sportscar Championship, and the SE90P, engineered for the American IMSA series' GTP and GTP Light categories. The SE90 stands out as one of the most successful and iconic iterations of the Spice epic, with its various configurations securing numerous championships.

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Chassis 022 is an SE90C variant that actually commenced its racing career… in 1991! At the time, numerous privateer teams opted to stick with the rock-solid foundations of the SE90 while the endurance racing landscape was undergoing a major period of transition. This was precisely the case for the Euro Racing outfit, which entered the car in the 1991 World Sportscar Championship, most notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Running under the Dutch flag (hence the flag colors adorning its livery), the team secured financial backing from Japan through the Osu Wada denim brand.

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In 1991, Euro Racing enjoyed a "semi-factory" status with Spice. Indeed, Spice’s director, Jeff Hazell, was actively involved and present trackside alongside Euro Racing's team manager, Mike Franklin, and regular drivers Charles Zwolsman and Cor Euser. Further proving that this Euro Racing SE90C held a special status, it benefited from the latest technical evolutions developed by Graham Humfrys—the master designer responsible for every model from the manufacturer since the SE86C.

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At the season opener in Suzuka, Spice SE90C-022 immediately distinguished itself. While a Peugeot 905 took victory in this first race under the new regulations (aimed at phasing out turbocharged engines in favor of 3.5-liter naturally aspirated units), it was the "turbos" that followed closely behind: a turbocharged Mercedes C11 and a Kremer-entered Porsche 962C-K. Finishing a brilliant fourth—missing out on the final podium step by a mere tenth of a second—Spice SE90C-022 crossed the line as the highest-finishing naturally aspirated entry behind the legendary works 905. A true opening exploit.

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Revenge was swiftly taken at the next round in Monza. Two XJR-14s—the famous Ross Brawn-designed, enclosed Formula 1 cars—dominated the top spots, followed by a Mercedes C11... and Spice SE90C-022! At Silverstone for the third round of the championship, the Spice’s mechanical package worked wonders on the fast and demanding layout. The 3,500 cc Ford Cosworth DFR V8 went the distance once more, and Euro Racing’s fifth-place finish carried the sweet taste of victory. The Spice’s best race lap—a 1:36.958—was remarkably close to the 1:36.594 clocked by the factory Peugeot 905 of Alliot/Baldi, with the Spice ultimately beating the French car across the finish line. Impressive.

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The 24 Hours of Le Mans, however, would bring the Spice its first setback. Despite posting a strong 15th-fastest time in qualifying, chassis 022 would not see the sixth hour of the race. Starting from third on the grid (as the first ten rows were reserved for the new 3.5-liter naturally aspirated entries), the car was forced to retire due to an engine failure after 72 laps. Charles Zwolsman and Cor Euser, joined for the occasion by British ace Tim Harvey, were among the first to step down in an edition that entered the record books for its notoriously low number of classified finishers: just 12. Interestingly, occupying that 12th spot was another SE90C entered by Euro Racing in conjunction with the Japanese Team Fedco. This sister car claimed victory in the C1 category, being its sole survivor after 24 grueling hours—further proof that this car was genuinely bred for endurance and crowned with success.

Following Le Mans, the Euro Racing squad sidelined chassis 022, switching their focus to chassis 020. This concluded a brief but illustrious contemporary career, which would later extend into a highly successful second life in historic racing...

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A Restoration of Excellence and Return to the Forefront

When its current custodian acquired this Spice SE90C through Ascott Collection in 2020, the prototype required a complete restoration. Completed in 2021, the top-tier workmanship allowed the car to make a spectacular return to the Group C Racing arena. The Spice immediately unlocked its incredible potential by claiming a podium finish at the 2022 Dix Mille Tours du Castellet, holding its own against a fierce armada of Porsche 962s, Nissans, and Jaguar XJRs.

 

On-Track Confirmation: The Giant-Killer

The 2023 season marked a thrilling new chapter for chassis no. 22. At the Mugello meeting, the car delivered a masterclass performance, capturing an outright victory in Race 1, backed up by a superb 3rd-place finish in Race 2. This Italian campaign proved beyond doubt that a perfectly prepared and well-driven Spice is fully capable of beating the most prestigious and powerful Group C cars of the era on merit.

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Mechanical Integrity Maintained

Following this highly successful 2023 season, the engine was sent back to Richardson’s workshops for a comprehensive rebuild. To guarantee optimal performance, the engine block was replaced with a brand-new unit. The Spice was subsequently campaigned in only two additional races. Its crack-test is valid, and its fuel cell was replaced in 2026.

Race-ready and born to win, this Spice SE90C represents a rare opportunity to shine at the sharp end of the most prestigious historic races.

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