Anyone familiar with Adam Carolla and his CarCast program know the admiration he has for Paul Newman. A lifelong car enthusiast, Carolla wrote a rather large check last year—for a reported $4.8M—to purchase a very special 935. Though any 935 is worth a mention, this particular example was raced to class victory by his hero at Le Mans in 1979. The classic Hawaiian Tropic-liveried monster might sit in the showrooms of some more sensible collectors, but Carolla’s a racer, and with plenty of gusto, decided to test his mettle with his toy at the Monterey Historics this year.
Carolla running through Laguna’s Turn Five.
It’s a bit like hanging a Renoir next to your stove, but Carolla’s happy to see this motorsport icon doing what it was meant to do—and if he happens to be the man behind the wheel, all the better. In fact, his desire to see the ‘ol 935 back in action was so strong, he actually practiced a bit to ensure he wasn’t hanging around come race day.
Since purchasing the car a year ago, Carolla’s comfort behind the wheel has grown considerably. Observe his first foray on-track with the 800-horsepower machine, and then note how, in 2017, he’s much more comfortable in braking, applying the grunt, and mixing with a field of pricey Porsches, BMWs, and Datsuns. It’s quite a sight—and even if his comedy isn’t your cup of tea, you can’t help but tip your hat to a man with that sort of commitment.
