Low-cost racing
REVVING TO RACE BUT DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SPEND? THE HACKER COULD BE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
A new racing series for budget-minded buffs could get off the ground this year should a plan by a new Thai-based racing car manufacturer come to fruition.
The 999 Motorsports, which builds so-called Hacker racing cars, is in the process of finding an organiser to host a Thai racing series featuring its cars that are hand-built at a small-scale factory in Bang Phlee, Samut Prakan.
Speaking exclusively to Life, Christophe Martin of 999 Motorsports says that series could attract those who are on a similar budget racing in One Make events staged by car companies in Thailand, but want more extreme driving performance.
In addition, the Hacker could serve as a vehicle for racing schools due to its low cost attributes. He says the series could act as bridge between go-kart and F4 racing in terms of driving experience.
The price of the Hacker is 22,000 (around 900,000 baht) excluding running costs which, according to one of his associates, is roughly the same as entering a Honda or Toyota One Make series.
Hackers are said to be built to FIA regulations and around 90% of components are sourced locally. Martin said he was attracted to building racing cars in the country due to an extensive parts industry and labour costs that are lower than in Europe.
The engine in the Hacker, for instance, is a 1.5-litre engine used in the Toyota Vios/Yaris which, according to Martin, allows for reliability and extensive spare parts availability. Other components like the carbon fibre body, interior panels, wheels and tyres come from Thai suppliers.
Martin stresses that making a Hacker car in Europe could cost nearly twice as much as producing it in Thailand. Performance, he adds, is similar to those in GT racer cars due to a Hacker weighing just 730kg.
The Hacker is designed for racers on a low budget.
"This is to show that Thailand has the capability of manufacturing race cars. Even if the cost to build one in Thailand and Europe is the same, the quality is higher [in Thailand]," says Martin who has spent $1 million (about 30 million baht) in the production house.
"This also gives Thais an a new opportunity to race in vehicles designed with more race car-like driving characteristics rather than those developed from road-going market cars like Touring Cars."
Although timing of the event has yet to be finalised Martin thinks that racing during the traditional off-season is ideal in Thailand due to the cooler climate during October to March.
Moreover, such a time frame could attract foreigners who usually escape the cold winters in their home countries by coming to Thailand on long holidays.
Martin lays claim to being the only race car manufacturer in Asia. Although it was established in 2007, it was only last year that sales got off the ground. At the moment, its clients are European countries like Belgium and France, although new customers are being sought elsewhere like in the US.
Like car manufacturers, more of 999 Motorsports revenues will come from the after-sales servicing of the race cars.
Martin also hopes to attract car manufacturers by helping them design bespoke race cars. This year, 999 Motorsports hopes to churn out 50 Hackers and an additional 30 for a new Supersports series using a 300hp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine from Chevrolet.
The driver sits in the middle of the cockpit—just like in most single-seat racing cars.
Nearly 90% of parts are sourced locally.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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