SHP – The company, the man behind it and our vision of the future.

As a company SHP does not submerge itself in self importance or actively broadcasts its achievements to the rest of the world. A small company specialising in manufacturing and engineering situated in the depths of the East Anglian Fens, we have the ability to produce vehicles that just keep stunning the motor industry with innovative lateral thinking. To have a good understanding of the company's philosophy, vision and views of motorsport and the areas of the industry the company is connected to we would like to provide a brief history of some of our major projects.

Early 1990 saw a revolutionary change in the National Hot Rod and Inter saloon scene. This was brought about by the introduction of space frame chassis built within the rules and regulations of the sport. This was the time that SHP motorsport introduced their most outstanding product to date the Peugeot 205.

Built on similar lines to a baby Nascar, converted to rear wheel drive using Quaife gearboxes, Timpkin axles, a full space frame chassis utilising some of the original shell, clothed in Kevlar body kit, with trick suspension using coil over shocks on each corner, this was definitely TOYS FOR BIG BOYS. This was a giant size Tonka Toy. Pull a wheel off or bend an axle, hit the wall in an accident, and by the next heat you were out racing again.

Engines?... You bring it and we'll fix it, was the saying at SHP Motorsport. 1900cc Peugeot engines, 1800cc or 2 litre Volkswagens, Ford 1700cc Crossflow, Ford 2 Litre Pinto, and for the long track circuits Cosworth BDA/BDGs as well as the normally aspired 2.4 Litre Cosworths and Turbo Cosworths. And finally, a Volvo 2 Litre engine. These cars were devastatingly quick.

The V6 Mondeo was a product that was to change the views of the motorsport fraternity, in turn giving the opportunity for oval racing drivers to prove their ability for putting on a show on long circuits as well as the small ovals.

This was the fruition of a vision for SHP Motorsport, which involved the development of an exciting new formula named Eurocar. This was a motorsport with a difference a European version of one of the smaller classes of the American NASCAR series. Support from highly regarded companies such as Dagenham Motors, Ford Motorsport, Tulip Computers, MAC Tools to name just a few, ensured instant success and a grid that boasted 36 cars at its peak.

Next followed the Eurocar V8, born from the commitment of the V6 promoters and SHP Motorsport was contracted to build a big V8 monster, a Winston cup USA styled car, fitted with a Ford V8 motor, from Roush Technologies.

This was to be 1220kg of real thunder. Everything was big, including wheels, tyres, brakes, axle, gearbox and even the exhaust. 500 BHP, 170 mph, drivers encased in a cobweb of steel tube. A race car with the capacity of running long races with pit stops to add extra dimensions to the action!

These flame spitting monsters will never be forgotten and maybe alone they did enough to tip the scales in getting investors to back the Rockingham Speedway Project at Corby.

T Car Racing, now under the banner of Motorsport Vision and guidance of Jonathan Palmer and his team uses yet another car produced here at SHP. The inaugural junior formula in the UK, backed by the MSA and the BRSCC, it allows fourteen to seventeen year olds to take their first step in circuit racing. Many of these youngsters have progressed to adult formula's such as Touring Cars and GT racing.

The last short oval product to be produced by SHP was a Peugeot 206CC produced initially for short track racing. It can be purchased as a basic rolling chassis kit with the option of purchasing as many or as few of the kits supplied from the expansive stores of SHP as you require. The possibilities for adapting this vehicle, like its predecessors, for longer ovals or road circuits is easily implemented as several different applications have already been created such as hill climb cars and race circuit Silhouette styled vehicles.

Probably the most well known of SHP breeds is the racing Pickup Truck. For many race fans they are the highlight of any race meeting that they appear at. First launched in 1997 the Pickup Truck series is for purpose built 230bhp racing vehicle. A tubular space frame, chassis that follows the well proven principles of SHP product ranges.

These pure bred racers are powered by 2 litre multi value twin cam Pickup Sport race engine with the Truck ballasted to weigh in at 860kg these dramatic machines place emphasis firmly on driver ability. The racing is fast and furious and around 27 can be seen on the grid at most meetings.

The Racing Pickups have won the hearts of race fans and drivers alike and several leading drivers consider the Pickup to be the best value for money racing machine created by SHP. They are a joy to drive, and simply beg the driver to give the throttle a further prod to kick the back end out of line. Progressive power, over steer and beautifully balanced handling makes the Pickup a racer to be enjoyed, whether you are at the front or the back of the field.

But the spectacle is not just about the racing Trucks. Aboard the Trucks are some of the real characters. Fiercely competitive on the track, they are friendly and approachable off the track. These are the guys that will sign autographs and pose with the young race fans for photos. They are characters from which folk heroes are made, and as more join the truck series, the racing can only get better!

Our drivers are not racing to further their career, they are doing what they have a passion for. They are entertainers putting on a breath taking show, keeping race fans on the edge of their seats for every corner and every lap of a race. Donuts on the start line, tyres squealing, fans cheering and children shouting, the spectators are never disappointed in what they see.

This week will mark a decade for Pickup Truck Racing and it is still a spectacle as it was the first day they hit the track. It is a product that does in fact frighten an element of the purist that still exists in today's motor racing fraternity, because it has created door-handle to door-handle racing, with no quarter asked or given. There is a saying in America that goes along the lines of: ‘ If you ain't rubbin', you ain't racin'. It was a sheer expression that could have been coined just for Pickup Trucks. The sheer closeness of the racing ensures that the Trucks race merely inches apart, sometimes even closer. But this does not indicate poor driving standards. The drivers have a mutual respect and give each other just enough room. But not an inch more than is absolutely necessary, of course!

Creating a new category was a massive gamble, but Sonny Howard had justifiable confidence in his product. ‘As long as you've got the right drivers, you can always create a new product. We had sold 10 Pickups and nobody had even seen it. They sold on our reputation,' recalls Howard. In America, the hugely popular Craftsman Pickup race series started with just four cars yet now represents a huge element of the sport.

Not content with just producing vehicles, SHP offers its wealth of experience in Motorsport management and its technical abilities to provide consultancy services and man management to organisations such as Palmersport, Motorsport Vision, SCSA Stock Cars, Dunlop Saloon Cars in Ireland, the list goes on and on. Whether you require technical advice, a complete parts service, MSA Eligibility scrutineers, staff to service events, SHP can provide it.

A less well known fact is that SHP, now known as SHP Engineering is not only proficient in Motorsport manufacture and management but now incorporates the build of military style vehicles which dominates most of its current annual turnover. These are Off-road vehicles that are built to be driven quickly and comfortably across rough terrain and a desert environment, while being simple enough in design that they can be built by the customer themselves should they require. The first was a two wheel drive vehicle that has the ability to out perform the majority of 4x4's, a vehicle aimed at the leisure industry, built to suit the requirements of the special Armed Forces, durable, forgiving and fast enough to be used in rally, raid types of motorsport events. It can use a various selection of engines and gearboxes from manufacturers who are able to supply the country where the vehicle is to be assigned or produced. Some of the suspension components come from a small truck while others are specially designed by SHP, again giving the opportunity to be produced locally. We have gone on to produce a four wheel drive vehicle that is now in full production in Jordan, gaining employment for a staff of approximately one hundred personnel.

The latest design is a robust desert vehicle, currently being produced in the UK to fulfil orders from companies such as the Italian Special Forces and areas of Africa and the Middle East.

Much of the work carried out is in cooperation with the Royal Palace of Jordan and its flagship engineering companies, KADDB (King Abdullah's Design and Development Bureau) and JSVM (Jordan Specialised Vehicle Manufacture) for which the company has produced several different vehicles, supplied machinery, staff training, a consultancy service and assistance in gaining ISO certification.

None of this would have been achieved without the founder and driving force behind the company, Sonny Howard, a man known for his direct approach and revolutionary beliefs in Motorsport, design and development.

Sonny's involvement with motorsport started in the mid 1970s when he was competing in National Oval Racing and Club Rallying with a great deal of success, a large amount of his spare time was taken up with the building and preparation of other peoples race and rally cars. Because of this, and the responsibility associated with his job as a service manager with a top Vauxhall/Datsun dealership Sonny decided to stop racing himself, and concentrate his efforts on the preparation of race and rally cars.

In 1990 after working for Dealer Opal Team in Skipton in Yorkshire, building a Rallycross and National Hot Rod for the ‘Legendary' Barry Lee, Sonny decided it was time to go it alone, and the company Sonny Howard Preparations was born. A contract was obtained to carry out work for BLR Developments and with this came work from other top teams, including the responsibility for running the Ford Fiesta Celebrity Race Car with sponsorship from The Daily Mirror Group.

What followed was the Eurocar road show and proof that Sonny Howard and his dedicated drivers and staff could provide a package that would suit any circuit and any Country that believed in its ability to perform to a well rehearsed timetable and produce the most awesome, close racing that many have ever seen.

We believe that public awareness is the key to the future of British Motorsport. If people are aware of the event and how good it is they will come to watch, time and time again. Formula One and Superbikes have proven that.

The UK is ready for a motorsport extravaganza, a cavalcade of flame spitting, roaring race vehicles encasing drivers yearning to show off their abilities and woo the crowd with their racing prowess and breath taking moves. We believe that Rockingham, the most well known and highly revered circuit in the UK  is the ideal place for Pickup Truck Racing to host our party. Share our beliefs and revel in the success.

One belief, one goal, one vision for the future.