Murtaya - Too Fast To Race!
Discussion
Well here is a funny one for you.
After completing testing of the Murtaya rally car we decided to enter James Harrison into a circuit race at Brands Hatch in the rally car to see how he would get on.
Having been invited to run the car in the All Nippon Challenge earlier in the year (a series which as the name suggests is based around Japanese machinery with an invitation class for Japanese powered kit cars) we duly placed and entry for the season finale at Brands on the 8th November.
Our entry was rejected - and the following is a direct quote from the series organiser;-
"I have had my consultations with the committee and the view is that we should not let you run with us - they suspect you would dominate / win the event and steal their thunder"
So without even getting to the start line they have judged that the Murtaya rally car is too fast to race against purpose built circuit cars!
Anyone ever heard of anything as crazy as this? A car with no competition provenance being not allowed to run because the organisers think that it will be too fast?
NY.
After completing testing of the Murtaya rally car we decided to enter James Harrison into a circuit race at Brands Hatch in the rally car to see how he would get on.
Having been invited to run the car in the All Nippon Challenge earlier in the year (a series which as the name suggests is based around Japanese machinery with an invitation class for Japanese powered kit cars) we duly placed and entry for the season finale at Brands on the 8th November.
Our entry was rejected - and the following is a direct quote from the series organiser;-
"I have had my consultations with the committee and the view is that we should not let you run with us - they suspect you would dominate / win the event and steal their thunder"
So without even getting to the start line they have judged that the Murtaya rally car is too fast to race against purpose built circuit cars!
Anyone ever heard of anything as crazy as this? A car with no competition provenance being not allowed to run because the organisers think that it will be too fast?
NY.
Thanks for all the positive messages guys, we thought that there was probably some marketing to come out of it as well!
Went for a quick first play in a full spec competition car this afternoon, only an initial shakedown though.
The car is great fun and is going to be a superb toy and I believe that it will be very competitive in almost any area of competition that the owner decides to take it into.
Clip of the quick test run here;- http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1__GXbwE8
Trouble is you never want to go back to pushing a mouse after having 5 minutes of fun!
NY.
Went for a quick first play in a full spec competition car this afternoon, only an initial shakedown though.
The car is great fun and is going to be a superb toy and I believe that it will be very competitive in almost any area of competition that the owner decides to take it into.
Clip of the quick test run here;- http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1__GXbwE8
Trouble is you never want to go back to pushing a mouse after having 5 minutes of fun!
NY.
Hi all,
Well following being banned from one series and the publicity that has surrounded it we have been approved to race in the 2009 Britcar Championship which is fantastic news.
This was confirmed with the organisers this morning and we will now be working on getting the right deal in place for our number 1 driver James Harrison for next years programme. James is a terrific driver who at just 18 years old has already won in Ginetta's, Radicals and Britcar. We think he has a fantastic future and are delighted to have him in one of our cars for next year.
Thanks again for all the messages of support on this one, I look forward to keeping you all posted on our progress, and doubtless the ups and downs, from a first season in endurance racing.
Neil.
Well following being banned from one series and the publicity that has surrounded it we have been approved to race in the 2009 Britcar Championship which is fantastic news.
This was confirmed with the organisers this morning and we will now be working on getting the right deal in place for our number 1 driver James Harrison for next years programme. James is a terrific driver who at just 18 years old has already won in Ginetta's, Radicals and Britcar. We think he has a fantastic future and are delighted to have him in one of our cars for next year.
Thanks again for all the messages of support on this one, I look forward to keeping you all posted on our progress, and doubtless the ups and downs, from a first season in endurance racing.
Neil.
Glad you enjoyed the ride Nick - it is an experience that few can imagine - you have to try it to understand!
Few more fun bits here;- http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OfMOMmE08i0
Neil.
Few more fun bits here;- http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OfMOMmE08i0
Neil.
Hi Jake,
The blue demo cars runs a 315bhp motor producing 340lb ft of torque (dyno verified figure) built by Engine Tuner in Plympton, Devon. This engine is based on a 1996 WRX motor using a 2.5ltr bottom end conversion and SIMTEK ECU mapped by the guys at Engine Tuner.
Standard transmission parts consisting of an STI gearbox and rear differential, standard 4 pot front and single pot sliding rear calipers. Standard Murtaya specification road suspension set up. Standard recommended size 7/17 wheels with 215/40 Toyo Proxes T1R rubber.
In this trim it recorded an independently verified 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds at the TRAX show held at Silverstone but this figure does not really represent the whole picture on the performance of the car.
Lots of fun on the circuits but even better out on the B-roads!
We also have competition specification Murtaya demo cars, the black one which has been extensively pictured is pretty standard mechanically while the silver one featured in the in car footage shown on Youtube recently runs a host of trick parts including 6 speed dog box etc and is a brutal competition machine that really makes you concentrate!
Neil.
The blue demo cars runs a 315bhp motor producing 340lb ft of torque (dyno verified figure) built by Engine Tuner in Plympton, Devon. This engine is based on a 1996 WRX motor using a 2.5ltr bottom end conversion and SIMTEK ECU mapped by the guys at Engine Tuner.
Standard transmission parts consisting of an STI gearbox and rear differential, standard 4 pot front and single pot sliding rear calipers. Standard Murtaya specification road suspension set up. Standard recommended size 7/17 wheels with 215/40 Toyo Proxes T1R rubber.
In this trim it recorded an independently verified 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds at the TRAX show held at Silverstone but this figure does not really represent the whole picture on the performance of the car.
Lots of fun on the circuits but even better out on the B-roads!
We also have competition specification Murtaya demo cars, the black one which has been extensively pictured is pretty standard mechanically while the silver one featured in the in car footage shown on Youtube recently runs a host of trick parts including 6 speed dog box etc and is a brutal competition machine that really makes you concentrate!
Neil.
Nick's car is going to be mega with that sort of power.
Remember Chris when you road tested the car for MSN it was 320bhp and 330lbft torque - and the production cars like Nicks are 50kgs lighter than the blue proto/demo that you drove.
Quite agree that eating Veryons may be a tad optimistic (but chase them down if you get the chance Nick!) but I can not think of many things that will live with his car point to point on the road.
Play safely Mr Ravenscroft! ;-)
Remember Chris when you road tested the car for MSN it was 320bhp and 330lbft torque - and the production cars like Nicks are 50kgs lighter than the blue proto/demo that you drove.
Quite agree that eating Veryons may be a tad optimistic (but chase them down if you get the chance Nick!) but I can not think of many things that will live with his car point to point on the road.
Play safely Mr Ravenscroft! ;-)
Hi everyone,
Lets nip this in the bud before the rumour mill gets on the way!
The piece on Newsnight features our Didcot distributor - Arden Automotive - talking about the difficulties that small businesses are having in raising finances through the banking system.
So cards on the table to ensure that the truth is out there rather than anything else.
We have had a private investor withdraw his funds from Adrenaline for personal reasons and we are currently in the process of replacing that individual in the company's structure. Adrenaline was formed by three people, Tom, Dan and I. We each hold a 25% stake in the company - the other 25% stake being held by a private investor who came on board back in 2007. We are bringing another investor on board following the withdraw of the individual previously mentioned and this is in progress at the moment.
Sometimes people say things for dramatic effect which are then edited to suit the purposes of the piece (I have fallen victim to this myself on some BBC news coverage about the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme back in the Spring) and the impact can be out of context - anyone remember the Gerald Ratner quote which destroyed a £500 million business overnight?
As for the lights not being on - it was mid-afternoon! Rest assured I shall be speaking with Mr Pick from Arden today!
We are on the end of the phone if anyone wants to ring - and busy in the workshop on both sites that we operate if anyone would like to call in for a coffee!
Neil.
Lets nip this in the bud before the rumour mill gets on the way!
The piece on Newsnight features our Didcot distributor - Arden Automotive - talking about the difficulties that small businesses are having in raising finances through the banking system.
So cards on the table to ensure that the truth is out there rather than anything else.
We have had a private investor withdraw his funds from Adrenaline for personal reasons and we are currently in the process of replacing that individual in the company's structure. Adrenaline was formed by three people, Tom, Dan and I. We each hold a 25% stake in the company - the other 25% stake being held by a private investor who came on board back in 2007. We are bringing another investor on board following the withdraw of the individual previously mentioned and this is in progress at the moment.
Sometimes people say things for dramatic effect which are then edited to suit the purposes of the piece (I have fallen victim to this myself on some BBC news coverage about the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme back in the Spring) and the impact can be out of context - anyone remember the Gerald Ratner quote which destroyed a £500 million business overnight?
As for the lights not being on - it was mid-afternoon! Rest assured I shall be speaking with Mr Pick from Arden today!
We are on the end of the phone if anyone wants to ring - and busy in the workshop on both sites that we operate if anyone would like to call in for a coffee!
Neil.
Edited by neilrallying on Friday 6th November 08:58
Yep looking forward to Exeter Show - we have a double stand and are exhibiting the new Toniq CB200 demonstrator car following the first journalist road tests of the car in the week leading up to the show.
Exeter is always great fun - and a show which is the one show a year not too far away for us!
Cheers for the support guys - nice to know that you are all behind us - we are also getting on to the BBC as well as that news went out without any calls to us to confirm the story or get our perspective on things - not the approach that I would expect from unbiased reporting.
But then I guess the story is less interesting if it contains the full facts!
Neil.
Exeter is always great fun - and a show which is the one show a year not too far away for us!
Cheers for the support guys - nice to know that you are all behind us - we are also getting on to the BBC as well as that news went out without any calls to us to confirm the story or get our perspective on things - not the approach that I would expect from unbiased reporting.
But then I guess the story is less interesting if it contains the full facts!
Neil.
Edited by neilrallying on Friday 6th November 13:18
jeffw said:
The gentleman being interviewed made those comments regarding receivers and electricity not the journalist......
Quite agree Jeff - saying something for effect without thinking through the consequences - the Beeb have edited the full interview to suit their own purposes and change the emphasis and context of what was being said but are certainly not responsible for what is said to them.They should however have checked their facts pre-broadcast!
We should also keep in mind that John has done his own business no favours by effectively telling the world that he is operating it off of personal credit cards and loans....... not the best PR work he has done! Again a statement which does not really reflect the trading position of Arden's business and which was made for emphasising the effect of the lenders attitude to small businesses at the moment - makes sense when you are saying it but does not make the point you meant to when being watched by people who are assessing comments at face value without understanding what is driving them.
A sorry episode all round really which hopefully - at least in the realms of Pistonheads - can be put to bed now that the facts are out there in circulation through this forum. Doesn't help with all the people that will have seen the programme who do not frequent this website though!
NY.
Edited by neilrallying on Friday 6th November 15:17
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