What was that early 1990s 3 litre prototype series?
Discussion
Anyone remember, something like Sports 3000? They were like smaller Group C cars with (I think) a Vauxhall 3 litre 24 valve six (or maybe it was a Ford?).
It was a bit like a one make series, but I think some cars entered other races too. I have a feeling that the bodies were made by Ultima, but I may be wrong.
Any of those cars still around? They'd make interesting and inexpensive historic racers nowadays.
It was a bit like a one make series, but I think some cars entered other races too. I have a feeling that the bodies were made by Ultima, but I may be wrong.
Any of those cars still around? They'd make interesting and inexpensive historic racers nowadays.
I remember Prosport 3000 well. In fact this thread prompted me to open up my programme archive for a walk down memory lane. I found a great one from 1993 when Prosport and Thundersaloons shared the bill. How mega is this? I was only nine at the time but can remember those days with some clarity. I always thought Group C cars terribly exotic and I obsessed over Le Mans so seeing Prosport at my local track was the next best thing.
Interestingly, there was a V8-powered Prosport at the Austrian hillclimb I attended in April. As we drove into the town late on the night before the race it was parked up on the side of the street. It looked pretty well prepared but wasn't terribly quick.
I believe Scuffers used to race one so he might be able to add a bit of narrative to things.
Interestingly, there was a V8-powered Prosport at the Austrian hillclimb I attended in April. As we drove into the town late on the night before the race it was parked up on the side of the street. It looked pretty well prepared but wasn't terribly quick.
I believe Scuffers used to race one so he might be able to add a bit of narrative to things.
I used to run one when I was at University in '96/'97 - I think we won the last two championships. Good cars and actually genuinely pretty quick. Nice rocker suspension at the rear like a Porsche 962, semi-stressed engine, flat floor, etc. The centre section of the bodywork (screen, roof, doors) is straight off the Ultima, but the rest of the car is very different and much more of a racing car than the Ultima.
Prosport 3000 appeared at a similar time to the TVR Tuscan Challenge, which was its downfall. The cars were faster and handled much better, but the Tuscans were cheaper, had dealer sponsorship and the killer USP: you leased the engines, which saved a fortune.
Only 16 Prosports were ever produced, if my memory is correct, so they are something of a rarity.
Prosport 3000 appeared at a similar time to the TVR Tuscan Challenge, which was its downfall. The cars were faster and handled much better, but the Tuscans were cheaper, had dealer sponsorship and the killer USP: you leased the engines, which saved a fortune.
Only 16 Prosports were ever produced, if my memory is correct, so they are something of a rarity.
Thanks again guys. I used to have a Renault 5 Turbo 2 and it had a clutch change in the mid 1990s by a guy called Mike Haines Racing (Evesham I think). He was also running a Prosport 3000 car at that time and I had a good look at it in his workshop. He went on to a Venturi 400LM. Are there any still around? Much more interesting than an Ultima.
A C2 car would have cost over 5 times as much, had a proper racing engine and massive downforce from its huge tunnels, so of course it was much faster. You can't compare a one make challenge car with a prototype - Prosports had around 320PS from a Granada Scorpio engine with a couple of lumpy cams and slide throttles.
They had very good pace compared to what was around at the time and it took quite a long time for GT cars to go faster - at considerably greater expense.
They had very good pace compared to what was around at the time and it took quite a long time for GT cars to go faster - at considerably greater expense.
I think if you look through the Autosport classifieds of that time there wasn't much difference in cost of a new Prosport and a Spice/Tiga. It was a series that was never going to go anywhere at the time bit like those odd Saker things. Prosports was set up with the intention of hoovering up the Gentleman/Amatuer drivers from Group C instead they got there thrills in Interserie and Historic. I recall the grids were made up of drivers moving up from Clubmans etc not drivers moving down to it. I think your right that they do represent a good value trackday hack etc.
The Tuscan series started in 89 Prosport was 92...........
The Tuscan series started in 89 Prosport was 92...........
Edited by Thundersports on Sunday 5th July 01:10
Just to add sum thing, at last years Silverstone Classic i seen this sitting in the car park round the back of the old pits.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geordiecraig101/1925...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geordiecraig101/1941...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geordiecraig101/1925...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/geordiecraig101/1941...
Hamish Finn said:
Prosport were based at Brackley, near Silverstone at a little industrial unit. Nice bunch of lads, very clever and skilled, but they were always sailing close to the wind financially. Eventually went bust, I think around 1996/97.
Yep and the fellow who owned the company towards the end was called Harry Leventis, whose son Nick owns Strakka Racing today.Ahonen said:
Hamish Finn said:
Prosport were based at Brackley, near Silverstone at a little industrial unit. Nice bunch of lads, very clever and skilled, but they were always sailing close to the wind financially. Eventually went bust, I think around 1996/97.
Yep and the fellow who owned the company towards the end was called Harry Leventis, whose son Nick owns Strakka Racing today.I remember watching these at Knockhill - sometime around 94/95. Also on the support races were saloons with Escort Cossies and Andy Middlehurst in a Skyline.
Same race day package as the Eurocar if anyone can remember those - V6 engine with Mondeo shape body and V8 ones with Trans-Am style bodywork
Same race day package as the Eurocar if anyone can remember those - V6 engine with Mondeo shape body and V8 ones with Trans-Am style bodywork
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