TVRCC Challenge Cup
TVRCC series to open its doors to all road going models - it's race time!
Initially everyone said it couldn't be done - a budget TVR race series. Not true, Steve Lewis and a dedicated band of racers got the Tasmin series up and running and have enjoyed some great racing.
Whether it was as 'budget' as hoped is another argument, but the fact that the TVRCC now has a well run and competitive race series is to be applauded. One of the battles Steve has fought since setting up the series is the pressure to allow other models to compete.
There are a number of TVRs that race in other series but the fact remains that all TVR enthusiasts would love to see a race in which all models could compete together. There has been much discussion over the last couple of years of how the Tasmin series might be expanded to accomodate other models but the diversity of cars that people want to use has left more questions than answers.
Now Steve Lewis - the Tasmin Challenge coordinator - is looking to bite the bullet and take that next step. The Tasmin Challenge is to open up an invitation class that will allow any road going TVR ever made to enter. The series should plug the gap between sprinting and Tuscans for those that want to compete in their TVR.
Whilst it's recognised that anyone entering a Cerbera 4.5 might streak off into the distance, the competition that will emerge from the Griffiths and Chimaeras that are expected to form the majority of entries will be particularly close as will the existing pack of Tasmins (some of which will probably still show a clean pair of heals to newly prepped cars).
There's been significant interest in the idea from racers elsewhere. Two Griffiths already compete in other series as well as classic TVRs - it's hoped now that in 2004 they'll want to be on the same track competing in the TVRCC Challenge Cup.
The initiative is to receive significant support from the TVRCC and spectator numbers are expected to rise sharply too. With TVR's strong presence in GT racing and the Tuscan Challenge about to enter a new era with the T350s, the addition of the TVRCC Challenge will leave us enthusiasts with no free weekends at all!
If you're interested in racing a TVR then have a chat with steve@b-chip.com but be prepared to be persuaded very quickly!
A Likely Contender?
. In discussions with Steve Lewis, he is intending to run all the cars in Power to Weight ratio classes so that we can all compete fairly with each other and prevent 4.5 Cerberas running away with it. Cant wait.
Interested none the less...
Incorrigible said:
I was wondering about "REAL" power to weight too
Are they going to dyno every car before the race and make them carry lead to get down to the maximum P/W for that class
Would seem to be the best way of keeping things fair. However im not sure about whether something like that can be done - surely having a dyno/ scales at each event wouldnt be practical??
As for Power, the intention is to use a mandatory data logger in each car to measure Performance. This technique is being used successfully by the Kumho BMW Championship today. The logger only costs a few hundred quid and everybody would have to have one fitted furing the race, which would then be downloaded afterwards. By using a combination of GPS and accelerometers, the logger can calculate the maximum power produced by the vehicle and this data is made visible to everybody else to see. This avoids suspicion which keeps the paddock a happy harmonious place.
SG is in the planniong stage I hear but no proof.
The TVRCC Challenge Cup is essentially aimed at Factory produced roadgoing cars.
We will accomodate former race cars in an 'Invitation Class' running on Series tyres, but for now Series points. I too would like to see a Cerbera fight it out with an ex 'Challenge Car' I would not really want to step on SGs toes though if he has intent to run 'Challenge' cars only.
Please find here some questions I have fielded during the day:
Cars will run on track from a standing start.
Each car will have a constantly measured power output from a series approved telemetry device.
The power output measurement will mean that you could spend £50k on an engine but gain no real benefit on the guy who built his in a shed
Each car will wear the power output for all to see
There will be a class system and handicap of series points awarded for final positions.
Cars will be as produced from the factory with all allowed MSA safety mods, roll cage, fire extinguisher, full safety harness stripped interior etc.
Brake upgrades as carried out by the factory will be allowed
Brake pads/fluid will be free
Brake disks to specific dimensions and materials will be free
Think of the spectacle...
Every TVR ever made…
Able to race on the same track at the same time!!
WoW wotaspectacle!
Great crowd pleaser…
More power than grip…
More ambition than ability!??
Just what the Dr. ordered.
REGISTER NOW
steve@b-chip.com
Best regs
Steve
220 Steve,(lewis) sorry to ask the direct question at this early stage, but do you think that you will be accepting full race Tuscans with AJP or Rover V8 engines, running on slicks,@ circa 850/900kgs, say 400bhp. I have a few drivers who might want to have a go if indeed they can get an entry. TVR did produce one "road" Tuscan challenge car, does that count?
Our intention is to see Griffs, Chims, Wedges, 300m et al. all battling for position up and down the field.
Sadly methinks the Ex 'Challenge' car would bugger off into the distance and not really have much of a race.
However it is feasible that the car could be handicapped to take part.
The givens would definitely be that they must run on the same rubber as everyone else and have a TVR based engine. No Chevie, Nissan, BMW etc.
We may even consider a 'restrictor' to achieve the handicap (GT style).
At this stage we certainly would not want to exclude any 'Challenge' cars but they must be prepared to run in some slightly handicapped way as to be competitive given the overall field.
Hope that helps.
Best regs
Steve L
It seems this is exactly what is required.
We have been running the Tasmins for a few years now in a fun and competitive way. However to some they are not 'proper' TVRs and they are hardly current models!
The idea of mixing it all up to include current
'off the forecourt' cars has to be good for dealer/specialist sales, not to mention the profile of racing TVRs in general.
Most TVR drivers are buying into a certain amount of proven motorsport heritage...
What better than to see that in real life!
Hmm pretty heavy methinks :-)
Best regs
Steve L
I was tempted by the Tasmin Challenge because its NOT class based racing and in theory everyone has a chance to win. (In practice the cars were more spread out in most races than where I race now which is class based.)
A race is a race - if someone enters a decently prepared Cerbie 4.5 into this he will walk away with it. And having been a smaller class racer for three years now I would say that the FRONT of a race is the only place that really matters to the crowd and commentator despite the best class structure in the world.
Why not open this up to Griffiths and Chimaeras only? As for this not costing much more than £1K...
Brillient Plan & Excellent Idea.
Only fear/concern is getting the balance between the guy who's stretched to buy his 390SE and wants to Race it and the guy who can buy a late Griff 5.0l and get it sorted by a race firm, who bring it to the track and run it. Also aligned to this is controlling the escallation of costs. e.g. the move to the elaborate suspensions, etc in the Taz's (an excellent series all the same).
I think your idea of Factory spec plus safety plus springs, dampers and brakes on standard mounts and using factory sized wheels. Only difficulty here is "Factory Spec" e.g. the SEAC ranged from 300 hp to in excess of 350hp in the case of Stainless Steve's Factory Demo SEAC.
Very Very Keen and look forward to how it'll Roll out.
GB
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff