TVR Tuscan Challenge
| Category | One-make racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Inaugural season | 1989 |
| Constructors | TVR |
| TVR Tuscan Challenge | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | TVR |
| Also called | TVR Tuscan Racer |
| Production | 1989 (43 produced) |
| Assembly | Blackpool |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports/racing car |
| Body style | convertible |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Fiberglass body over tubular steel chassis |
| Related | TVR Sagaris, Tuscan Speed Six |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4441 cc Rover V8 with 4 Webers 348 bhp (260 kW) 279 ft·lbf (378 Nm) 4.5-litre TVR Speed Eight 450 bhp (336 kW) 380 ft·lbf (515 Nm) |
| Transmission | Borg Warner T5 5 manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2336 mm (92 in) |
| Length | 3937 mm (155 in) |
| Width | 1740 mm (68.5 in) |
| Height | 1184 mm (46.6") |
| Curb weight | 850 kg (Speed 8) 1000 kg (2204 lb) (proposed road car) |
The TVR Tuscan Challenge is a one-make series dedicated to the second incarnation of the TVR Tuscan Speed Six sports car (developed specifically for the series), and takes place throughout the United Kingdom. Inaugurated in 1989, its high power-to-weight ratio, capability of reaching 190 mph (310 km/h) and loud engine noise, combined with close racing in a field consisting of over 30 cars at its peak, made the series become, at the time, the premier one-make series in the UK with an extensive TV coverage; over the years, many drivers who competed in the series moved on in major championship series and many notable drivers have guest driven in a race. The company underwent management changes in 2005, and the TVR Tuscan Challenge was merged with its owner club's series, which has been reformatted to allow for all TVR models.
This version of the Tuscan is not to be confused with either the earlier V8/6 model or the later roadgoing Speed Six version.
With the success of the S Series, TVR began development of an ES, an S series sports car with a Holden V6 3.8-litre engine. It wasn't until the 1988 British Motorshow, in Birmingham NEC; the car was unveiled as a prototype with plans for it to be developed for road use, but in order to attract public interests and stimulate sales, TVR resurrected the Tuscan name and at the same time instigated the one-make TVR Tuscan Challenge series.
In order to attract a large field, TVR offered the first batch at a discount of £16,000 plus VAT for entrants with a condition that they commit themselves to compete at least six of the twelve races in the championship. Should that fail, the purchaser would agree to pay the extra £16,000 at the end of the season.
With the instant success of the series in its first year in 1989, plans for a road car fell by the wayside as TVR was busy with the 'S' and the older wedge models as well as design and development work for the forthcoming Griffith and Chimaera models.
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