Tuesday 7th October 2003

TVR T350R?

Hotter T350 to hit the track but what about the road?

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Next season we can look forward to T350C's racing in the GT cup class of the British GT championship. It was hoped that they'd hit the circuits this year but as ever development always takes a little longer than expected.

Rrrrrr!

The rules for TVR's own Tuscan Challenge series were also amended in 2003 to accomodate the cars but again the first car didn't make it out in time. When they do race though, we expect the good looking coupe to have been acquired some extra brawn in the shame of a wide body or extended wheel arches.

Our sources have been raving about how good the car looks in race trim and we now believe a road version is under development too. Yet more power, bigger brakes and brutish styling to come? T350R anyone?

The shape of things to come?

Artist's impressions by Bodo

[griff2be]

I'm told that the racing version of the T350 looks fantastic, but very different to the road car (as in it looks nothing like it!!).

Which seems odd, as I would have thought that there was a marketing benefit to be had from having a race version of a car you can buy from the showroom.

[griff2be]

cacatous said:

I want one!! I have asked for something like this on the Tuscan for ages! Bodo, can you knock something up?

Isn't it called the T440R?!!

[griff2be]

frostie said:

My understanding is that the Tuscan challenge will be totally replaced by a series for the T350R in 2004. The T350R will be a wide bodied version and as far as I am aware a road going version will be made available. I think next years Motorshow in May should be very interesting... Frostie >> Edited by frostie on Tuesday 7th October 12:47

There a number of reasons why I think you are wrong about 2004:

- the season starts again in April (i.e. not long!!)
- the first car has not seen the light of day yet
- teams were struggling for budget to race Tuscans this year, let alone buy new T350s
- TVR told me earlier in the year that the series will continue with two classes running in the same races

In other words, there is life in the Tuscans yet!

What I think you will see happening is bigger grids next year with a handful of T350s battling against a larger number of Tuscans. And as time progresses, more Tuscans being replaced with T350s. Assuming they turn out to be a good competitive car.

TVR cannot tell us yet whether the T350 will be quicker or slower than the old Tuscan. The regs as currently written mean that although there are 2 classes, there is only the one race and championship points are awarded irrespective of class. So if you are a title contender for next year what do you do - gamble and buy a T350? Or gamble and stick with your Tuscan?

It could get very messy if the T350 is significantly faster or slower than the Tuscans, because it could destroy the very thing that makes the Challenge such good motorsport - good close racing.

Still, it will be interesting to see how things develop.