For Sale: Ayrton Senna’s 1981 DAP Go-Kart

Images: Bonhams

Like many motorsport masters, Ayrton Senna rose through the ranks of go-karting on his path to Formula 1. As proof, this kart is the exact same one in which he drove his last kart event.

The coolest part is that you’ll be able to buy it when it goes up for auction at Bonhams’ upcoming Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais sale.

This is an ex-Ayrton Senna 1981 DAP Kart, chassis DAP BH 33, which he drove in the 1981 World Championship event in Parma, Italy. The cart was provided new for the race, and race-prepared to Senna’s specification.

Going in to the event Senna had already begun competition in Formula Ford 1600s, and it would be his last in the series as following it he decided to hang up karting to focus on the Formula Fords.

After the race the kart was immediately purchased from de Angelo Parilla of DAP by its current owner. It was purchased sans-engine, but would soon receive an engine identical to the one used by Senna.

Since then it’s only seen a maximum of two hours use and is presented ‘as-new’ by the owner.

It’s no McLaren Mp4/4, but it’s definitely unusual and I think it may just be more fun. The only question is – would you race it?

The kart will go up for sale at Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais sale on the 5th of February, 2015, and Bonhams are expecting it to fetch between €24,000 and €28,000. Head to their official website here for the details.

Images via Bonhams

MORE Senna Karting: Senna vs Prost: Elf Master Karting, Bercy 1993