First Wildcat race win for Thorney Motorsport

At the recent side by side offroad race meeting held at Haresfield race track Thorney Offroad, racing their Arctic Cat Wildcat SxS secured a convincing victory. It was a great UK race debut for the Wildcats, every other competitor lapped and the race win by a good distance!

This first UK Wildcat race was arranged by the ACU and Quad Events UK, the organisers of the British Quad X- Country Championship. Billed as a demonstration race the course was a one hour enduro event over a 7 miles course as used by the quads so it was rough, muddy and brilliant fun.
For a full race report together with photos of the Wildcats in action click here.
Thorney Motorsport are currently preparing our 400bhp, 2 litre Astra VXR powered Corsa race car and used the same race preparation skills to set up and race the Wildcat.
A full race schedule of events across the UK for Wildcat owners to compete in is currently being finalised by Thorney Offroad - their website provides up to date information.

Gearbox Front Mount Bracket

We are making great progress towards completion of the Astra VXR engine transplant. The latest achievement is the design and manufacture of the gearbox front mount bracket. The chassis of the Corsa SRI differs from the Astra VXR is as much it doesn't have a crossmember running across the front of the engine bay. Consequently we have had to manufacture a bespoke crossmember resilient to absorb the torsional loads imparted by the 400bhp Z20 LEH engine. The final design is very innovative since, not only does it provide an anchorage point for the Astra gearbox front mount but also doubles up as an anti-roll bar, thus providing additional body stiffness. Yet again a fine example of Thorney Motorsport's engineering expertise. Once painted this crossmember / anti roll bar assembly will really look the part!

Astra VXR Engine Conversion Update

With less than 4 weeks to go to the launch for the 400bhp Astra VXR engine transplant into the Corsa SRI race car the fabrication of the new front gearbox mount bracket/cross member is under way and should be completed by 22 May. Attention is now focused on production of the full set of cold air intake and cooling silicon and rigid pipes. We intend to use black silicon hoses as well as black rigid pipes, both of which will incorporate the TMS logo. The complete set of hoses/pipes will be available to buy through Thorney Motorsport, once the engine conversion project is finished and fully tested.
We have called in the services of SFS Performance, specialists in the manufacture of motorsport silicon hoses to measure up the installation and produce the kit.

6 weeks and counting ...

Throughout this Astra VXR engine transplant project regular project review meetings have taken place with Thorney Motorsport. At the last meeting it was decided to set a target date for completion of the project so as to focus the minds of all concerned. With Thorney Motorsport competing this year in the BTCC with their Vauxhall Insignia we fixed the weekend of June 9/10 - this being the next scheduled BTCC race meeting at Oulton Park.
 The aim is to have the Corsa race car fully run-in and dyno tested with a smart new livery to do justice to the collabaration between us and Thorney Motorsport. The Corsa will be on display in the Oulton Park paddock at the TMS team garage.
Still left to do include:-

• Tidying up the various wiring harnesses
• Complete the Pipercross air intake system installation
• Installation of the Scorpian 3" full race exhaust system
• Fabrication of front gearbox mount bracket/cross member
• Dyno testing / custom mapping to achieve 400+ bhp
• Vinyl wrapping / bodywork detailing

6 weeks and counting ...

Engine management sensors - Z20LEH engine conversion

One of the main engineering challenges faced when installing the 400bhp Astra VXR engine (Z20 LEH) into our Corsa SRI race car has been the integration of the Z20 LEH engine ECU with the main Corsa ECU vehicle management system. The engineers at Thorney Motorsport have come up with an ingenious solution to this challenge which ensures the reliable and smooth running of the whole vehicle. Along the way the opportunity has been taken to incorporate several additional sensors into all areas of the vehicle management system including fuel and engine control and monitoring. These extra sensors will provide vital data output to assist with engine set up and ongoing vehicle performance monitoring.
Details of this exciting project undertaken by Thorney Motorsport can be found at our website dedicated to the Corsa SRI race car and this 400bhp Astra VXR engine transplant.

Wildcat 1000i H.O.

Thorney Offroad, a division of Thorney Motorsport are launching the new Arctic Cat racing side by side atv. The Wildcat 1000i H.O. is an awesome, all powerful machine and has it all when it comes to extreme offroading.

In fact, it’s so good that Thorney Offroad are planning to race two of these Wildcat 1000s in competitive side by side racing. Being a race car team Thorney are adept at modifying the Wildcat 1000i H.O. for competition with upgrades to the chassis, cage, suspension, brakes and power train which maximise the already stunning performance.

A website dedicated to the Wildcat 1000i H.O. has been created by 2geedesign for Thorney Offroad and can be found at www.wildcat1000iho.co.uk. Here you will find full details on the Wildcat 1000 to whet your appetite.

At just £13,990 plus VAT why not be the first in the UK to own a Wildcat 1000?

Two Insignias for Thorney Motorsport

Thorney Motorsport has announced it will run two Vauxhall Insignias in 2012’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for team principal John Thorne and Rob Hedley.
At a launch in Liverpool city centre on 23 February, the team also confirmed a media tie-up with national newspaper the Daily Mirror’s on-line motor sport pages. The Mirror’s logos will appear on both Insignias with its website including regular updates from Thorne about his team’s first season in Britain’s premier motor racing championship.
For more information on this exciting development for Thorney Motorsport head over to their BTCC racing page.
As well as their busy race schedule Thorney also prepare our 400 bhp Corsa race car as well as ensuring our 255bhp road going Corsa VXR Racing develops it's maximum potential.

Calling all potential sponsors

Thorney Motorsport, who are currently preparing our 400bhp Corsa race car, are entering into the exciting world of BTCC motor racing with their home prepared Vauxhall NGTC Insignia.
As befits Thorney Motorsport's wider business interests in road car tuning and automotive repair they believe they can offer an enhanced partnership package to any potential sponsor, this combined with the BTCC's massive audience (2m people watch each race live on ITV4 and a further 35,000 attend the racing in person) means the BTCC and Thorney Motorsport offer huge potential for partners. Thorney have created a brief partners proposal which can be downloaded here.

Thorney Offroad - Polaris RZR XP900R

Thorney Offroad, the offroad division of Thorney Motorsport, exhibited recently at the Autosport International Racing Car Show where they had on display the Polaris RZR XP900R side by side rzr racing machine. This machine is the UK rzr racing drivers vehicle of choice. For the 2012 side by side NoraMX rzr racing series Thorney Offroad will be entering their own racing team as well as providing a full sale, support and arrive and drive options for other competitors.

Being a race car team Thorney is adept at modifying the XP900 for rzr racing competition with upgrades to the chassis, cage, suspension, brakes and power train which maximise the already stunning performance. A lot of the upgrades come from Thorney's partners in the USA where SxS racing has been going for a long time but others are home grown, their race cages are all designed in house and manufactured in the UK as are a lot of other Thorney Offroad performance upgrades.
Thorney Offroad can supply vehicles either ready for upgrades or fully competition prepared machines ready for the rzr racing track, they also offer a full arrive and drive service for the NORA SxS series which in Thorney's view offers the best fun per £ racing that exists in the UK.
For more information about rzr offroad racing and how Thorney Offroad can help you compete in this truly exciting form of motorsport visit the Thorney Offroad website.

Introducing the new Astra GTC200, the fastest GTC Astra yet

Thorney Motorsport, our partner on the Astra VXR engine conversion into the Corsa SRI race car, have launched their new Astra GTC200 model. As Thorney say "If you can't wait for the Astra GTC VXR, drive the next best thing!"
Based on the GTC Astra with either the 1.6 or 1.4 engine the GTC200 benefits from a range of upgrades from Thorney Motorsport, the Vauxhall BTCC team and renowned Vauxhall road tuning company.
These upgrades enhance every element of the car from handling, power, looks and dynamics and draw closely from Thorney Motorsport's long experience in Motorsport.
The Astra GTC200 will be available from February 2012 from Thorney Vauxhall or any local Thorney Motorsport Official Vauxhall Performance Centre. It is completely covered by the Thorney Motorsport 'lifetime, 100,000 mile waranty' so any Vauxhall retailer can look after your car without issue. The Astra GTC200 is even available with 0% interest over 5 years.
For more information head over to the Thorney Vauxhall website.

New Thorney Vauxhall Website

Thorney Vauxhall, part of the Thorney Motorsport Group, has launched it's brand new website. Designed and created by 2geedesign it provides up to date information on the services and seasonal promotions on offer from Thorney Vauxhall as well as offering practical tips and advice on how to get the best out of your Vauxhall.
Located in Redmoor, Thorney Vauxhall are Milton Keynes only dedicated Vauxhall Masterfit service and repair centre.

Britcar 24 Hour - Thorney Motorsport

Thorney Motorsport are actively involved in the Astra Z20 LEH engine conversion currently being undertaken on our Corsa SRI race car.
Thorney Motorsport recently took part in the Britcar 24 hour endurance race at Silverstone racing their highly successful BMW E92 GT.  Despite a major setback early in the 24 hours, when an input shaft sheered in half with the resulting shock shattering the clutch plates, the team managed a comendable 3^rd in class.
The full story of the trials and tribulations leading to their success can be viewed on the Thorney Motorsport website.

400bhp Corsa SRI race car - back on track

Due to motor racing commitments for Thorney Motorsport (Britcar 24 hours and BTCC Silverstone) work on the Z20 LEH engine conversion had to be put on hold. A little frustrating but fully understandable. Now that the racing season has drawn to a close TMS are back on the case with a vengance. The iterative process of developing the hybrid ECU system has necessitated stripping down various parts of the engine. This work is now complete so the task of rebuilding the engine is underway. The remainder of the underbonnet components - air intake system, intercooler rigid piping, oil pipework etc. can then be reassembled so that full ECU testing can be undertaken prior to firing up the engine for the first time - heady days indeed!

Thorney Motorsport unveil BTCC Insignia

Thorney Motorsport launched its new BTCC car, the NGTC-spec Vauxhall Insignia, on Saturday 8 October at its base in Crowfield, Northants.
Regarding the rather striking livery John Thorne had this to say .."the livery is a one off as so many people thought it looked like the Batmobile anyway and seeing as we are looking for a new title sponsor for next season (our 5 year deal with Tesco Momentum 99 comes to an end this year) we thought we'd do something different for Silverstone. The car is not officially Vauxhall backed (yet?) and so we decided to make it striking in terms of looks rather than use our own usual colours".
Following testing at Mallory Park on Wednesday 12 October the Insignia is expected to make it's debut at the final BTCC meeting at Silverstone on 16 October.
Thorney Motosport have prepared both our Corsa VXR Racing and Corsa SRI race car - here at 2gee Motorsport wish them every success at Silverstone.

Thorney BTCC Insignia Launch

Thorney Motorsport, our partner in our Corsa SRI race car preparation, is inviting fans to attend the launch of its new BTCC car, its NGTC-spec Vauxhall Insignia, on Saturday 8 October at its base in Crowfield, Northants. It is expected that the car will make its race debut in the BTCC’s final round of 2011 at Silverstone the weekend after (15-16 Oct). The launch will start at 10.00am with refreshments, food, a bouncy castle for kids and ample off-road parking organised. But spaces are limited. Email info@thorneymotorsport.co.uk to reserve a spot.

Corner Weighting - Corsa Race Car

Looking to the future once the Astra VXR engine transplant into the Corsa race car is finished attention will turn to ensuring that we have optimum chassis dynamics. Chassis dynamics is a flash title for all things that relate to the cars handling and ride. As well as setting up the suspension geometry Thorney Motorsport will also carry out corner weighting to fully optimise the car set up for the track. Proper weight distribution is critical in setting up a well-handling car, for a general overview of corner weighting click here

Thorney Motorsport BTCC Insignia Race Car

Thorney Motorsport, respondsible for the Astra VXR engine transplant into our Corsa SRI race car,  have confirmed their intention to enter two Vauxhall Insignias into the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. The team have long since desired to enter the championship with previous attempts in both BMW’s and Vauxhall Astras all being abandoned but with the new NGTC regulations now set the opportunity to finally enter has been realised.
For more info click here.

Bilstein B14's - Corsa VXR Racing

At last the B14's have arrived from Bilstein. Fitting these will be the last major upgrade to be carried out on the Corsa VXR Racing. Bilstein B14 PSS Coilover Suspension Kits feature threaded body ride height adjustment, together with Eibach springs and offer the latest motorsport development for fast road use. A page on our VXR Racing website dedicated to the Bilstein B14's can be found here. The Bilstein's will be fitted by Thorney Motorsports who will carry out a full Fast Road Geometry setup to ensure the optimum settings are achieved and we take full advantage of the Bilstein race technology.

Thorney Motorsport

Many of you will have heard of Thorney Motorsport. Thorney Motorsport are one of the UK's largest Vauxhall Tuning companies as well as running one of the UK's largest specialist track and race preparation operations. TMS have been involved in all of the modifications and upgrades carried out on both the Corsa SRI race car and Corsa VXR Racing. In fact, it is their expertise and engineering experience which is the driving force behind the 400bhp Astra VXR engine conversion currently ongoing on the Corsa race car. Why not visit the Thorney Motorsport website and find out how they can help you.