Pickup Truck Racing
 |
|
| Category | Pickup truck racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Inaugural season | 1997 |
| Constructors | SHP Engineering |
| Engine suppliers | Vauxhall, Ford |
| Drivers' champion | Steve Dance |
| Official website | PickupTruckRacing.com |
| Pickup Truck | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SHP Engineering |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Pickup truck, Race car |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
Vauxhall 2 litre, Ford Duratec 2.3 litre 2 litre (229 bhp) |
| Transmission | Four speed manual transmission |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2720 mm (107.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 870 kg (1918 lb) |
Pickup Truck Racing is an auto racing series, running in the United Kingdom, including races on both road courses and ovals. It is currently the only racing series that races on the Oval Circuit at Rockingham Motor Speedway.
Launched in 1997 by Sonny Howard, the Pickup Truck Racing series, intended to bring the American pickup truck culture to Europe, is for purpose built 230 bhp (170 kW) racing specials. They have a tubular space frame chassis, are powered by a 2 litre multi-valve twin-cam engine and weigh 900 kg (2,000 lb). The race trucks are designed to place an emphasis on driver ability.
In 2001 the Pickup series became the main support for the Rockingham-based oval SCSA (then called ASCAR) racing series. At this time the Pickups were right hand drive in configuration and as such not permitted to race on the anti-clockwise 1.5-mile speedway. An 'oval' course was created to allow the drivers to compete.
For the 2003 season the Pickups were converted to left hand drive and finally allowed onto the oval track, as can be seen.
Pickup Truck Racing is unique in 'big' oval racing, in that unlike e.g. NASCAR the trucks have rain tyres, wipers and rear safety lights, and will race on the ovals in the wet. Speeds are about 18 mph slower than when racing in fully dry conditions.
Pickup Truck Racing is also the only racing series in the UK for which no race-by-race entry fees are charged.
Pickup Truck Racing is a single make series, and the trucks are governed by the Pickup Truck Racing regulations. The chassis is made by SHP Engineering, who are also responsible for the vehicle used in T Cars, a series for young drivers.
The main flexibility in the regulations comes in the choice of engine. From 2011 the trucks could be fitted with either a Vauxhall Petrol Injected 2 litre red top engine or a Ford Duratec engine, both of which are four cylinder engines with a 2 litre capacity and 16 valves.
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