RECENT RESULTS UNDERLINE PFITZNER PERFORMANCE GEARBOXES’ MOTORSPORT CREDENTIALS
In less than a week, cars equipped with Pfitzner Performance Gearboxes (PPG) components have scored top results in rallies across the world, the demands of these three very different events endorsing the reliability, durability and overall performance of PPG’s motorsport gear sets.
Trans Cacho Rally
For the second year running, a Mitsubishi Evolution X fitted with a PPG six-speed sequential gear set has won the Trans Cacho Rally in Paraguay. An event renowned to be one of the toughest rallies in the world, its arduous nature and often brutally rough terrain puts huge demands on all of a car’s components, especially the transmission system.
Featuring 851kms split into 23 competitive stages over three days - plus a further 1638kms of transit sections in between - it’s not only performance that enables a gearbox to last the distance, but sheer durability and strength. Recording his third outright victory in this event was Diego Dominguez and his co-driver Hector Nunes, who led from the start and went on to win by a margin of over 16-minutes.
“This is a victory for the whole team and all of the people who were involved”, said Dominguez at the finish. “The car performed extremely well throughout the event - which is amazing. I would like to extend my special thanks to PPG for providing us with such a magnificent gearbox. It proved to be extremely reliable and withstood all the punishment we threw at it. But above all, it made the car a delight to drive.”
Rallye de France Alsace
For the second year running, Henk Vossen and JacGillis have won the Group N4 category in the French round of the World Rally Championship: the Rallye de France Alsace. Driving their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, with an homolgated PPG five-speed dog-gear set installed, the Dutch pair initially held second place and then, half-way through the second day, took the lead when the car ahead of them hit problems.
Their winning margin of over five-minutes provided PPG with yet another convincing victory in another world-class event, but this time on a different surface: asphalt. Following the rally, a delighted Vossen said: “This is a fantastic result on a rally that requires a car that will work equally well in the tight and twisty sections and then on the fast and open roads. Having the best components in the car makes a big difference, both in terms of performance and reliability. This includes the PPG gearbox of course.”
Pacific Forest Rally
Held in Merritt, British Columbia, last weekend saw Subaru Rally Team Canada score an impressive second-place with its all-new Impreza WRX, driven by former British Rally Champion Martin Rowe and co-driven by Nathalie Richard. Taking part in the Pacific Forest Rally, the car was fitted with PPG’s recently developed six-speed sequential gear set, designed specifically for the latest model of Subaru.
The fast and flowing gravel roads though the forests in the Nicola Valley region provide some of the most challenging stages in Canada. Consequently, the event attracts many of the country’s leading teams and drivers.
"Although it's only the car's second rally, we were able to see more of the WRX STI's true potential and speed - especially with the brand new PPG gearbox, which is really, really impressive”, reported Rowe. “It is amazing - the shifts are lightening fast and the gear ratios are awesome, so the investment and time that the Rocket Rally Racing team and PPG have put in will continue to pay off as we progress through the series."
PPG designs, develops and manufacturers high performance gear sets for a wide range of cars and a variety of motorsport applications. Most kits are carefully designed to drop directly into the standard manufacturer’s gear casings without need of modification.
In addition to its off-the-shelf components, PPG also provides a bespoke prototyping and engineering service for one-off or short run applications and is perfectly-placed to create high quality motorsport gear sets for teams, constructors and manufacturers.
