Everyday cars become race cars
The majority of people these days own at least one car in the household and a smaller amount of people believe they are racing drivers on the road, but have you ever seen your everyday car converted into a race car for different racing events.
With the variety of different racing events, you can see the many different normal road cars being converted into thunderous racers that dominate the race track, the drifting corner and the rally circuit. Some are cars that the normal, average person can buy and others are converted supercars into World Endurance GT racers.
Ford Focus RS RX – Rallycross
Ford’s Focus RS has made serious waves in recent months thanks to all the hype delivered by car reviewers and Ford’s fantastic marketing campaign surrounding the car and its drift mode. For the FIA World Rallycross Championships, Ken Block’s Hoonigan Racing Division team will be fielding two Ford Performance factory-supported Ford Focus RS race cars also known as the Ford Focus RS RX. The two cars will be driven by Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud in the 2016 Championships.
The RS RX comes with a 2.0-litre in-line 4-cylinder engine that develops 600 bhp. This allows it to go from 0-60 in 2 seconds and has a top speed of around 200 MPH. It also has a refined wide body kit with vents in a variety of different places as well as blacked out headlights, this RS RX looks like a beast on the Rallycross course.
Ford Mustang – Formula Drift
The newest Ford Mustang has made serious impressions around the globe, especially in the UK since it arrived in right-hand drive. For the Formula Drift, Vaugn Gittin Jr chose a Ford Mustang RTR to compete in.
His Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR drift car comes with 900 bhp produced by 436 cubic-inch V8 engine and a 4-speed dog gearbox. Instead of the normal body, the RTR comes with RTR carbon body panels, RTR wide body panels, RTR chins, RTR rocker splitter, and a RTR rear spoiler. It also has Recaro seats with Takata racing harnesses, meaning that this car basically a very different animal to its road car version.
Honda Civic Type R – British Touring Car Championship
Honda Civic Type R has always been on top of the hot hatchback game and has also been top dog recently in the British Touring Car Championships. Last year, Gordon Shedden won driving a Honda Civic and now he is back in another this year.
In the 2016 season, Shedden drives another Honda Civic Type R that is sponsored by Yuasa, Halfords and other companies. This year, the Honda comes with an inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that develops 350 bhp. This allows the car to get to a top speed of 160 MPH. It also comes with a six-speed Sequential gearbox and an AP Racing Carbon clutch. The road version of this car is no slouch and can more when you want it to, but this race version takes it to a whole new level.
Aston Martin Vantage GTE – World Endurance Championship
Aston Martin has always made fantastic, fast cars and the Aston Martin Vantage was always one of the best. Well with the World Endurance Championships again underway this year, Aston Martin are always a favourite to watch.
Aston Martin Vantage GTE comes with a lightweight V8 that develops 480 bhp and has a 6-speed sequential gearbox with semi-automatic paddle shift gear change. It can accelerate from 0-60 in around 2 seconds and has a top speed of over 200 MPH. If you want to see the beauty of Aston Martin and the speed of a race car, then you don’t have to look much further than the Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
If you are looking for personal lease cars and have been inspired by race cars like these, then their road-legal counterparts may be available on contract hire.