TVR Tuscan Challenge

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
TVR Tuscan, the TVR Tuscan Challenge vehicle

The TVR Tuscan Challenge is a racing series for only one sports car model that bears the same name as the racing series and is run across the UK . It was introduced in 1989 and, with its low power-to-weight ratio , the high achievable speeds (over 300 km / h) and the loud engine noise in connection with the narrow performance spectrum in a field of - at peak times - over 30 cars , it advanced to become the leading brand racing series in Great Britain. The races were televised frequently and many drivers who began their careers in this series later switched to more popular championship series. In return, many well-known racing drivers gave a guest appearance in the TVR Tuscan Challenge. With the change of management at TVR in 2005, this racing series was merged with that of the automobile clubs, which was redesigned to accommodate TVR models.

TVR initially offered the Tuscan Challenge racing car for just £ 16,000 including VAT to attract private drivers to the new racing series. However, the buyers had to undertake to take part in at least six of the twelve championship races. If a buyer failed to do so, they would have to pay TVR another £ 16,000 penalty at the end of the season.

TVR dealers in particular were encouraged to take part in the TVR Tuscan Challenge. Peter Wheeler started in this series and, with the experience he gained there, developed and a. the TVR Cerbera Speed ​​12 and also the then managing director, Ben Samuelson , took part. Many of the drivers start today in the Le Mans Series , the FIA GT Championship or the 24 Hours of Le Mans , such as B. Jamie Campbell-Walter , Bobby Verdon-Roe , Martin Short or Michael Caine . Nigel Mansell took part in a one-off race in Donington Park in 1993, but had to give up his participation after his accident in the British Touring Car Championship . Other racers who made guest appearances in the TVR Tuscan Challenge were Colin McRae , Andy Wallace , Tim Harvey , Anthony Reid , Tiff Needell and John Cleland .

Carlube sponsored the racing series from 2002 to 2004. It has now been renamed the Dunlop TVR Challenge . At the end of 2003 the Sagaris , a version of the T350 , was presented and should compete in the racing series together with the Tuscan Challenge and possibly even replace it. But when Peter Wheeler sold the company to Nikolay Smolensky , the latter ended all support for the racing series before the start of the 2005 season. The motorsport director of TVR acquired the rights to the event and continued it, albeit on a much smaller scale. At this point, TVR sold all racing cars. After the reports about the racing series decreased, as many of the TVR Tuscan Challenge cars sold were converted into street versions or used on race tracks on public days , it went into the TVRCC Challenge Cup from Toolsnstuff.co.uk/SIP, a smaller series , in which a large number of different TVR models appear and are divided into categories (see below).

In 2006 the series was able to win a new sponsor, Dunlop , which meant that he provided the tires and gave the driver the choice between slicks, road tires or racing tires, using not only TVR but all sorts of racing cars that the MSA- Regulations corresponded.

Categories in the TVRCC Challenge Cup and the Dunlop Tuscan Challenge Series

The racing cars are divided into three categories, depending on their displacement and engine power:

  • Class A - cars with turbo engines up to 3.0 l displacement and more than 350 bhp (257 kW) power, cars with non-supercharged engines up to 5.0 l displacement and more than 350 bhp (257 kW) power. The Tuscan with AJPV8 engine and the Sagaris start in this class.
  • Class B - cars with turbo engines up to 3.0 l displacement and less than 350 bhp (257 kW) power, cars with uncharged engines from 3.0 l to 5.0 l displacement and less than 350 bhp (257 kW) power
  • Class C - cars with uncharged engines up to 3.0 l displacement. Only modified 4- and 6-cylinder engines and the Rover V8 in the standard version are permitted in this class.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ History of the TVR Tuscan Challenge at Pistonheads.com (English)
  2. ↑ Guglielmi Motorsport Ltd .: Introducing Steve GUGLIELMI (English) ( Memento from October 9, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  3. ↑ a b Andy Holden Racing (English) ( Memento from September 29, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  4. ↑ a b TVR at Jnjmotorsport.com (English) ( Memento from February 20, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  5. ↑ a b CerberaV8racing.co.uk advertises the Dunlop Tuscan Challenge Series 2007 (English) ( Memento from October 8, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Carlube Motor Oil & Automotive Lubricants (English) ( Memento from September 4, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  7. ↑ Glynnsport: The TVR Challenge Series (English) ( Memento from September 28, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  8. ↑ TVR Car Club: About TVR: Past and Present (English) ( Memento from December 25, 2015 in the Internet Archive )
  9. ↑ Hawthorns Motorsport (English) ( Memento from September 16, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
  10. ↑ BRSCC - Tuscan at BRSCC.co.uk (English) ( Memento from February 27, 2009 in the Internet Archive )