Le Mans-winning company sees strong future as independent constructor
Racing Technology Norfolk, which built and ran the 2003 Le Mans-winning Bentley EXP Speed 8, is now independent following its sale by the Audi Group and is already pursuing a number of client projects in motorsport and the niche vehicle sector.
Building on its long-standing relationships in the motorsport and automotive world and its strengths in advanced composites and whole vehicle solutions, the company sees its future spanning the two sectors, with plans for expansion and extension in both. The company's planned growth in the automotive sector will also benefit from the advanced composites volume production capability of its parent company, the Express Composites Group of Loddon, Norfolk.
Racing Technology Norfolk is planning for growth through investment in three key areas: professional motorsport, grassroots motorsport and niche vehicles. In the first category, the company is pursuing projects to design and build LMP1 & 2, ALMS and FIA GT entries with commercial and/or OEM partners. At grassroots level, the company is already discussing a number of projects including sports prototypes, Britsports, Formula Ford and one-make race/school cars. Its aspirations in niche vehicles include concept car development and high-performance or limited-edition variants of production cars.
The company is based in Hingham, Norfolk and operates from a large fully-equipped facility with single-project and high-end design, consultancy, build and development capability. The company can call on all the resources and expertise necessary to deliver a turnkey project for OEM's and in motorsport.
David Coates, Managing Director, Racing Technology Norfolk said: "We thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Audi Group and have established some great working relationships with them and throughout the industry. Now we're returning to our roots as an independent car constructor and as a specialist subcontractor in advanced composites. We're determined to put our winning team back on the grid."
Siegfried Krause, Audi Sport said: "Independence will be good for Racing Technology Norfolk; we knew that being with Audi was restricting their ability to work with other OEM's. We are certainly interested in future co-operation with rtn as development partners and subcontractors in carbon fibre; we granted them "preferential supplier" status during the sale negotiations. We wish them well."
Racing Technology Norfolk also holds Grade A supplier status to Renault F1 and is fully certified for aerospace component manufacture. It is the only company in the motorsport and automotive sector that can now offer volume manufacture of advanced composite components in-house.
Representatives of the company will be attending the forthcoming Le Mans test day on 3 June.
