Time Attack

In recent years Europe has seen a vast increase in seriously tuned aftermarket cars, especially those from Japan.

It is now almost common place to see a 500bhp car on the road as 'normal' yet these cars have had no real means in which they can be tested and pushed to the limit under controlled conditions, where it matters most, on circuit, nowhere that is until now...

The Time Attack series is a circuit based calendar of events whereby competitors drive hard against the clock to set the quickest lap time around a circuit, these times must be set under controlled conditions of just one 'Hot Lap'. Just like the EDC drifting, the series ONLY uses the premier race venues and will once again return to Silverstone, Donington, Knockhill and more.

The field includes the cream of the UK's most lethal weaponry where 600bph is considered the norm from a 2 litre engine, some touching and exceeding 1000bhp all from 'street' derived and in some cases legal cars!

From Escort Cosworths to Nissan Skylines and everything in between, there will be something to flick your switch, Guaranteed!

For more information visit our website. www.timeattack.co.uk

SHP Engineering's introduction to Time Attack came via Pickup Truck Racing and Time Attack sharing an event at Brands Hatch in 2006 and through a conversation with the organisers and eligibility scrutineers in race control it became apparent that it was not a requirement to have a roll cage to compete at the events.

Sonny Howard explained the value of fitting an integral roll cage to the eligibility. By using an integral system that passes through the front and rear bulkhead and retains elements of the front and rear suspension this not only makes the car safer in an accident but it also stiffens the whole chassis making some of the custom suspension fitted to the car work more efficiently.

As a result of this conversion SHP Engineering has produced several integral roll cage systems for Time Attack competitors in various models of Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ferrari and BMW. On one model where the car had to be used as a family means of transport SHP has developed removable roll cages which can be installed and once removed the original trim can be reinstated, with limited tools.

European Drifting Championship

Drifting is taking the world by storm.

In 2006 courtesy of GT BATTLE, the first professional drift championship took place over five rounds at the UK's premier race circuits and this year we are back, bigger and better than ever attracting drivers and teams from all over Europe.

The 2006 finals attracted over 15000 spectators!

The origins of drifting lie in Japan's mountain regions and dates back to the mid 1960's when local drivers pitted their skills against each other on the 'Touge' (mountain roads) in point to point times runs, like many of today's drivers, their goals were to trim precious milliseconds from run times and through adopting driving styles similar to that which we see in rallying today began to hone techniques of cornering without losing too much momentum, as these skills developed the drivers realised that this new driving style improved their times and the thrill of the competition.

In towns and cities all over Japan these drivers shifted from the highly dangerous street style competitions and moved on to organise events at circuits, over the years these meetings have grown in popularity and now many of the drivers have achieved superstar status all over the world in this explosive and addictive sport.

Drifting has been quoted as the fastest growing motorsport in the world and either as a spectator or competitor you are closer to the action than you think.

The first work SHP Engineering carried out for this championship was to produce an integral roll cage for a Toyota Starlet. As the car was a lightweight model fitted with a big 250bhp Pinto engine the roll cage was produced to support the body shell suspension points.

A recent project for drifting was a Lexus four door saloon. This was a good chassis and as a result did not need the same amount of material to retain the suspension. The car was fitted with a LS1 engine and transmission without too many modifications.

Time Attack and Drifting provides entertaining motorsport which SHP firmly believes in.

Track Day

The desire to express the need for speed without continually gaining points on your driving licence is where track days fill the gap.

Track day vehicles are a growing part of SHP business in a time where many struggle to find the budget for purpose build race vehicles and instead choose to invest in modifying popular high speed production vehicles.

With more cost effective high performance cars becoming available from local motor traders this can offer the basics for venturing into track day racing. With performance cars especially those being used on purpose built race tracks, safety is paramount as one still has to go to work the next day. This is where SHP Engineering is able to assist in offering roll cage protection, competition seats, correctly fitting seat belts and fire extinguisher systems.

Track day can be a lot of fun, getting it right and setting a blistering time is a real buzz. SHP Engineering condones all of this but ensures that it is carried out safely with the right equipment.