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RML (Ray Mallock
Limited) was founded in the 1960’s producing the U2 - named so
because ‘You Too’ can go racing - in the form of a simple Lotus
Seven type car. Now this up to the minute broad based automotive
company, employing eighty highly motivated and talented people, are
the driving force behind the company which today are a motor sport
engineering, marketing and automotive technology company providing
race car solutions and expertise to the racing fraternity. Side
lines include a special racing seat and an electronic data recorder.
A microwave tyre warmer has been less successful. This company can
make your Classic or up to the minute race car a winner!
SmS members
visiting the facility on Friday were spellbound as Tommy Erdos, the
star Brazilian sports car driver, gave us an insight into his
fascinating world. He, along with Mike Newton and Andy Wallace, is a
team driver for this year’s 2008 Le Mans. There is a full race
season on the European circuits with the little MG but as they say
‘that is another story’. Tommy held us captivated with a first hand
account of his previous racing experience covering the last five
years that he has been an RML driver with the MG Lola.
Andy Wallace made
a small error this year and although the team clawed their way back
up during the remainder of their race an engine failure after
sixteen hours put paid to their efforts for 2007.
Tommy explained
that the driver’s stint cannot exceed four hours at any one time and
after thirteen laps more fuel is needed. This year, tanks are to be
reduced to separate the classes of the sports cars to make them more
competitive but mainly for American racing benefit. Hundreds of
sensors relay information back to the pits during a race and an
in-car screen gives lap times from the four techno whizzes in the
pits. Strangely enough,
the long Mulsanne Straight driven at two hundred miles an hour is
the only relaxing part of this demanding circuit. The 2008 car will
remain the same with developed improvements. The principal sponsors
for 2008 are again the AD group who are involved with CCTV
solutions. They have grown from a turnover of £930K in 1998 to £93
million in 2004.
We were told of
driver frustration racing against the heavier GT cars that have over
six hundred horsepower but less drag owing to an enclosed cockpit
and more slippery shape. We were surprised to learn that Tommy
drives a Volvo on the road!
The next outing
for the MG is a shake down at Silverstone on 8th February. All
testing must be done eight weeks prior to racing on any given
circuit. The tour we were afforded through the two spotless
buildings with panel, paint, engine shop and many associated offices
was an experience. There were several massive pristine transporters
parked outside.
The last part of
the afternoon was taken up with a glimpse of the Mercedes McLaren
SLR. They have several of them ready to receive new RML developed
engines and suspension and in fact over four hundred improvements.
The price for one of these very limited edition cars? £1,000,000
each! A sign says ‘Close the doors to protect the integrity of our
clients’. Who would they be then? Do they kick a football for a
living one wonders? Girlfriends, please remove your clothes before
entering!
Dave Walker |
