Clubmans
Encyclopedia
Clubmans are prototype front-engined sports racing cars that originated in Britain in 1965 and remain a very popular class of racing. Initiated by Nick Syrett of the British Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) and organised by the Clubmans Register which represent car owners, drivers and constructors. The formulae currently races with the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) and is a Motor Sports Association (MSA) recognised Club
Clubmans evolved from categories such as the 1,172 cc formula for Ford-based specials and several of the 750MC
's entry-level formulae. It was intended as a low-cost formula for open-top, front-engined roadgoing sports cars like the Lotus 7, which had been crowded out of the mainstream by rear-engined cars such as the Lotus
23
. Before long, the cars rapidly evolved into highly specialised and very quick sports-racers (retaining the front-engined/rear wheel drive layout, but acquiring in due course wings and slicks. Unlike endurance-oriented forms of sports car racing, Clubmans tended to run at club-level meetings. Races were typically short (15–30 miles) and driver changes and refuelling were not part of the strategy.
Marques such as Chevron
made their debut in the formula and the long-lived series of Mallock U2 cars came to dominate numerically (and often in terms of results). Over the years, marques such as Gryphon, Centaur, Haggispeed, Phantom, Vision, Pulsar and Slique as well as specials like the St Bruno Roughcutter and the Hustler graced the grids with varying degrees of success. Clubmans cars also became a popular class in hillclimbing
.
Clubmans has remained a relatively low-cost formula with cars having a long life and stability of rules meaning that drivers tend to remain in the formulae and develop their cars. In a straight line, Clubmans cars were often almost as quick as Formula Three
single-seaters. The formula acquired a reputation for close competition, varied grids, and a healthy social scene.
Engine rules varied somewhat over time. Initially the formula used 1000 cc or 1500 (later 1600) cc pushrod engines that had to be based on Ford or BMC
units - practically, the 1,000 cc units were detuned ex-F3 engines). For most of the formula's life, the engines were the 1000 cc ex F3 units and 1600 cc Ford Kents, and finally the 1600 Kent in Formula Ford
spec ("B sports/Sports 1600") and 1700 cc crossflow units ("A sports") in high states of tune.
As the Ford units drifted into obsolescence, other units replaced them. Sports 1600 gave way to "K Sports" with a Rover
K-series engine and the 16-valve two-litre Vauxhall
temporarily replaced the 1700 cc Crossflow unit in 1993 for the short-lived rear-engined Supersports category.
Rear-engined cars with the Vauxhall unit were admitted to the series for the first time in 1995 alongside traditional front-engined cars. Seeking a more upmarket image, the alternative formula was renamed National Supersports, but over the years grids declined due to increased costs. Many of the marques that made their debut in National Supersports now compete in alternative prototype series such as Britsports or VdeV, which provide prototype racing on a relatively affordable scale.
Clubmans has also been popular in Scandinavia since the 80s when Swedish based Stefan Mumm bought a Mallock and promoted the formulae. The results of his enthusiasm are more than 20 cars registered in the series. As well as the ubiquitous Mallock, local Marques such as Bodin and Phantom are now produced and are still being developed; in 2008 three brand new cars were produced. The Scandinavian Clubmans class uses 1800 cc Ford Zetec engine, and is one of the fastest sportcar series in Scandinavia.
Clubmans also cars compete in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.
Clubmans in the UK continues as a highly popular and affordable form of racing with two race series catering for "Classic" cars (up to and including 1980 running almost exactly as the original formula with classes catering for cars from most periods of the formula's history) and the modern "Cup" series running the re-badged MG 1600cc engines plus the new for 2011 "Proto" class to include engines up to 2 litres and 240bhp at the flywheel, plus the option of paddle-shift sequential 5-speed gearboxes.
Clubmans evolved from categories such as the 1,172 cc formula for Ford-based specials and several of the 750MC
750 Motor Club
750 Motor Club is an auto racing club in the UK. It was founded in 1939 and was originally for Austin 7 fans . It later led to racing and the 750 Formula where specials were raced...
's entry-level formulae. It was intended as a low-cost formula for open-top, front-engined roadgoing sports cars like the Lotus 7, which had been crowded out of the mainstream by rear-engined cars such as the Lotus
Team Lotus
Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport series including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar and sports car racing...
23
Lotus 23
The Lotus 23 was designed by Colin Chapman as a small-displacement sports racing car. Nominally a two-seater , it was a purpose-built for racing with a driver alone. The 23 used a wider version of the Lotus 20 space frame, with the same suspension, clothed in a fibreglass body...
. Before long, the cars rapidly evolved into highly specialised and very quick sports-racers (retaining the front-engined/rear wheel drive layout, but acquiring in due course wings and slicks. Unlike endurance-oriented forms of sports car racing, Clubmans tended to run at club-level meetings. Races were typically short (15–30 miles) and driver changes and refuelling were not part of the strategy.
Chevron Cars Ltd
Chevron Cars Ltd. is a manufacturer of racing cars, founded by Derek Bennett in 1965. Following Bennett's death in 1978, the firm has remained active in various guises. The original company's designs and name continue to be utilized by Roger Andreason to build replacement parts and continuation...
made their debut in the formula and the long-lived series of Mallock U2 cars came to dominate numerically (and often in terms of results). Over the years, marques such as Gryphon, Centaur, Haggispeed, Phantom, Vision, Pulsar and Slique as well as specials like the St Bruno Roughcutter and the Hustler graced the grids with varying degrees of success. Clubmans cars also became a popular class in hillclimbing
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
.
Clubmans has remained a relatively low-cost formula with cars having a long life and stability of rules meaning that drivers tend to remain in the formulae and develop their cars. In a straight line, Clubmans cars were often almost as quick as Formula Three
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3 or F3, is a class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers...
single-seaters. The formula acquired a reputation for close competition, varied grids, and a healthy social scene.
Engine rules varied somewhat over time. Initially the formula used 1000 cc or 1500 (later 1600) cc pushrod engines that had to be based on Ford or BMC
British Motor Corporation
The British Motor Corporation, or commonly known as BMC was a vehicle manufacturer from United Kingdom, formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organisation in 1952...
units - practically, the 1,000 cc units were detuned ex-F3 engines). For most of the formula's life, the engines were the 1000 cc ex F3 units and 1600 cc Ford Kents, and finally the 1600 Kent in Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
spec ("B sports/Sports 1600") and 1700 cc crossflow units ("A sports") in high states of tune.
As the Ford units drifted into obsolescence, other units replaced them. Sports 1600 gave way to "K Sports" with a Rover
Rover
-Leyland companies:* Rover Company , a British motorcycle and car manufacturing company, absorbed into Leyland Motor Corporation in 1967* Austin Rover Group , a mass-market car manufacturing subsidiary of Leyland...
K-series engine and the 16-valve two-litre Vauxhall
Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors is a British automotive company owned by General Motors and headquartered in Luton. It was founded in 1857 as a pump and marine engine manufacturer, began manufacturing cars in 1903 and was acquired by GM in 1925. It has been the second-largest selling car brand in the UK for...
temporarily replaced the 1700 cc Crossflow unit in 1993 for the short-lived rear-engined Supersports category.
Rear-engined cars with the Vauxhall unit were admitted to the series for the first time in 1995 alongside traditional front-engined cars. Seeking a more upmarket image, the alternative formula was renamed National Supersports, but over the years grids declined due to increased costs. Many of the marques that made their debut in National Supersports now compete in alternative prototype series such as Britsports or VdeV, which provide prototype racing on a relatively affordable scale.
Clubmans has also been popular in Scandinavia since the 80s when Swedish based Stefan Mumm bought a Mallock and promoted the formulae. The results of his enthusiasm are more than 20 cars registered in the series. As well as the ubiquitous Mallock, local Marques such as Bodin and Phantom are now produced and are still being developed; in 2008 three brand new cars were produced. The Scandinavian Clubmans class uses 1800 cc Ford Zetec engine, and is one of the fastest sportcar series in Scandinavia.
Clubmans also cars compete in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.
Clubmans in the UK continues as a highly popular and affordable form of racing with two race series catering for "Classic" cars (up to and including 1980 running almost exactly as the original formula with classes catering for cars from most periods of the formula's history) and the modern "Cup" series running the re-badged MG 1600cc engines plus the new for 2011 "Proto" class to include engines up to 2 litres and 240bhp at the flywheel, plus the option of paddle-shift sequential 5-speed gearboxes.