The culture of public track days is quite established in the UK. As such a number of manufacturers who specialise in road-legal track cars have emerged. Well-known names include the Ariel Atom V8 and Caparo with its T1. Climax Cars hopes to be added to that growing list.
The UK company plans a production run of 200 Sports Racer models for its Coventry facility. Power is supplied by a Ford Racing 4.6-litre V8 that makes 257kW (345bhp) and 414Nm (305lb ft) in its natural state while a supercharged version will take go up to 309kW (450bhp). A 6-speed Graziano GT ME1 gearbox sends power to the rear axle.
One of the main differences with the competitors is its McLaren SLR Stirling Moss-style of design that makes it look much more car-like.
"We wanted to produce a radically different type of car that would be dramatically desirable as well as being an out-and-out enthusiast's car," said Simon Long and Marcus Rayner who designed the car. "The choice of aluminium was an obvious one to keep the weight down, which improves the handling, performance and economy of the car."
The metal alloy was used for the chassis as well as in the bodywork. Weight comes to 907kg (1999.5 lbs), giving the Sports Racer a power-to-weight ratio of 283kW (380bhp) per tonne for the normal V8 and 342kW (458bhp) per tonne for the supercharged version.
The fully-adjustable double wishbone suspension ensures good handling. There is an options list that includes ceramic brakes, full race harnesses, and sequential and semi-automatic gearboxes.
Sports Racer prices will start at £92,000 or the equivalent of US$150,600.
