Category: Highlight

  • Roger Clark Motorsport Start Gobstopper II. The Sequel!

    RCM Start Gobstopper II… The Sequel!

    As rolling shop windows go, Roger Clark Motorsport’s original GC8 Subaru Impreza has been something of a success. The ‘Gobstopper’, as it is affectionately known, has not only taken the Leicestershire-based tuner to multiple Time Attack and Ten Of The Best titles, but it has also starred in a multi-platform advertising campaign for sponsors Autoglym, capturing the hearts and minds of petrol heads around the globe in the process. It’s even available as a paint scheme in the popular ‘Forza Motorsport’ game!

    Like all true superstars however, Roger’s sons, Matt and Olly Clark have decided to retire the old girl whilst she’s still at the top of her game. Although they’re not ruling out a few ‘demo’ runs at this year’s events, the 2010 season will be the Gobstoppers last official outing, as its replacement is already under construction.

    The latest car is to be based on the MY2010 Impreza STi and promises to exploit many of the numerous tricks learned from the evolution of the first car, combined with several new cutting-edge developments that the team have been secretly trialling throughout the winter.

    Matt Clark, the technical force behind RCM’s unrivalled success, had mixed feelings about the young upstart. ‘It’s very hard to retire a car that has been so reliable and so successful,’ he noted. ‘But you can’t move forward by standing still. We’ve really reached a pinnacle with the GC8 chassis, and it’s time to see what we can make the latest car do. We’ve already had a 14 month development programme on a road-going version, so that’s highlighted many of the areas we need to address. I love a new challenge and this will really give us something to sink our teeth into.’

    With Time Attack achieving true motorsport credibility with its MSA accreditation this year, press, audiences and competitors look set to rise sharply, making the new car the perfect showcase for the team’s talents. ‘That’s a bonus for sure,’ smiles Matt. ‘But the main reason we go racing is to develop new road car products – particularly on the engine side. If we can’t break a 890 bhp 2.0 litre engine, I think it’s safe to say that our customers won’t!’

    Follow the progress of the new car at www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk

  • Autoglym Continues as ‘Pod Lane Sponsor Until 2014!

    Santa Pod Raceway, home of European Drag Racing is delighted to announce its continued association with Royal warranted surface care manufacturers, Autoglym.

    The highly respected British firm has been a part of ‘Pod culture for over five years now, being a lane sponsor of the venue’s hallowed quarter mile as well as the polish of choice for most discerning show goers and concourse d’elegance entrants.

    The new deal sees the two names inextricably linked for the next five years, cementing one of the most enduring partnerships in the sport’s history.

    Commenting on the renewed association, Autoglym  managing Director David Rogers said, ‘Autoglym has enjoyed a close association with Santa Pod for a number of years and we are extremely excited to have signed a new agreement to continue our branding and Lane Sponsorship deal for a further 5 years. Not only does Santa Pod afford Autoglym the opportunity to promote itself to thousands of devoted drag racing fans, but the sheer diversity of the events held there provides us with an unrivalled audience of committed car enthusiasts, all of whom represent  the perfect target audience for our award winning range of car care products.’

    Santa Pod’s 2010 season starts with DWYB track days from the 13th of January and the event calendar begins with Stunt Night on the 19th February.

    For more details and all 2009 dates, please click to www.santapod.com or call the team on 01234 782828.

  • Take a friend on your 1/4 Mile Run @ Santa Pod

    Santa Pod, the home of European drag racing has just turned the track day market on its head, by being the first venue in the UK to allow guests to drive under fully timed race conditions – with a passenger!

    In a dynamic change to their rules and regulations, the ‘Pod has made it possible for any enthusiast enjoying a day’s full-tilt driving (at £35 all in) to take a passenger alongside, under race conditions, for only a £10 sign-on fee!

    Passengers will need to bring their full UK driving licence and sign on in the usual manner, but having done so – and once presented with their wristband, they are free to ride shotgun with anybody on the start line that would like them onboard. With events running every month and at every major Santa Pod show there are over 50 separate opportunities in 2010 for a bit of twos-up, heads-up racing! Any road legal car is eligible, but understandably, real race car drivers and bikers will have to travel solo!

    Upon announcing the move, Santa Pod MD, David Lloyd Jones was quick to point out the many benefits. ‘We’re proud to have added this new dimension to our RWYB days,’ he said. ‘By allowing passengers, it not only makes it a far more enjoyable day for groups of friends attending, but also opens the door for any tuners or commercial organisations to come along and showcase their wares to prospective customers. This fundamental change in our running regulations also means we can offer ‘experience’ rides to allow newcomers to the sport to discover the thrill of the quarter mile, for the price of a round of drinks.’

    Although each run is limited to one passenger per car, there is no limit to the amount of guests accompanying each car, so if you’re looking to sell, to impress, to entertain – or even for a first date with a difference, why not try the new RWYB for two?