Formula 1 Treasure : A 1980 Honda Dax ST70 that once served as pit transport for Formula One superstar Ayrton Senna and other professional racing drivers is going to auction.The ex-Team Lotus ST70 is decked out in the iconic JPS livery that was also used on the team’s racing car for the 1985 Formula One Championship. Senna took his first-ever F1 pole during that year while Senna’s teammate, Elio de Angelis, got some decent success too.
In fact, Senna and Angelis both used that very Dax to make their way between the pits and various buildings and facilities around many of the F1 circuits.Previous to its current appearance, the Dax was painted up in the Essex Wire colours of the then-team sponsor before it adopted its JPS colours. (Iconic auctioneers)Some of these original colours also appear under the bike’s seat, according to auction house Iconic Auctioneers
Run by a 72cc 5.5bhp four-stroke engine, the Honda Dax – commonly dubbed a ‘Monkey Bike’ – will be sold with a certificate from Team Lotus confirming that, in addition to being ridden by Senna and Angelis, it is also saw action with Nigel Mansell, Mario Andretti and Johnny Dumfries at the wheel.
Brought over by the team from Monte Carlo, it still displays its original plates and reportedly shows just 1,115km (about 693 miles) on the clock.It’s expected to hit the block at the Iconic Sale at the MCN London Motorcycle Show on Sunday, February 16 from 11:15 am. It comes alongside an estimate of £6,000 to £8,000.