As many members may have seen, there has been a thread running on Pistonheads for about 24 hours regarding the fact that TVR London appears to have closed.TVR Spokesman Jason Oxley has today confirmed with the TVRCC that this is in fact correct. He said:
"We have not had a central London dealer since HR Owen and this was a trial for a short term to determine whether we ought to again. It was a therefore only a short term let. We have decided that we do want to have a presence there and we are hoping to sign the contract on our new premises in the next few days. There will be an announcement in the New Year". As soon as we have the details, we will publish them here. Please remember though that TVR London and London TVR are two entirely separate companies; London TVR continue trading from their Kings Cross premises.
Unfortunately, it is necessary for our current Treasurer to leave this role by July of next year and, therefore, a replacement is being sought to commence early next year (to allow for overlap and liaison). This is a key role and requires a person with financial or business experience of accounting and accounts.
For more details please see this month's issue of Sprint or the General Discussion Forum in the members area.
The Members' Benefits page has been updated with now over 30 companies listed who offer discounts to Club members. These discounts range from 5-50% savings and in many cases are sufficient to save more than your annual Club membership subscription in one transaction. For the full list, please click on the "Benefits" tab on the left hand side of your screen.
We are indebted to member Paul Shrimpton who has supplied these photographs from the LMES race at Nurburgring showing the Racesport Peninsula and Team LNT's T400Rs. This was LNT's final LMES race with the T400R before they move across to running Panoz for 2006 and which is expected to make its debut in Istanbul. However, we understand that LNT may still enter the T400s in selected races in 2006 including Silverstone.
The Racesport Salisbury T400R, driven by Richard Stanton and Piers Johnson, chalked up another finish in LMES at Nurburgring this weekend finishing in 26th position overall and 6th in class, some six laps behind class winners Xavier Pompidou and Marc Lieb's Porsche 996 GT3R. But it was a day of disappointment in possibly LNT's last LMES race in a TVR when both cars, which had qualified well in 3rd and 4th in class just 2 seconds off pole, failed to finish. Team LNT, who are changing to Panoz for 2006, hve been reported elsewhere as saying that they may race the new cars at the next race in Istanbul on 13 November. Congratulations to Racesport Salisbury on once again dispelling the myth that TVRs are unreliable. The race was won by Hayanari Shimoda and Tom Chilton in their Zytek.
Okay, perhaps it's not the more prestigious Car or Evo magazine awards, but nonetheless the Sagaris did beat all opposition in a poll run by the Sky Digital and cable channel, UKTV People to win the title Sports Car of the Year 2005. After a disappointing qualifying which placed all three TVRs towards the back of the grid, a very wet start to the race followed which meant that many drivers took unplanned excursions into Silverstone's many gravel traps and much of the race was undertaken behind the safety car. Well sadly it's game over for Team LNT and the British GT Championship, following problems with noise limits at Castle Combe this weekend. Club members Paul Shrimpton and Simon Lunn were on hand to get this breaking news from team owner Laurence Tomlinson who has announced that he is retiring the team from the British GTs. For the second consecutive year, as the famous Le Mans Rolex clock passed 4.00pm on Sunday afternoon, the TVR supporters had something to cheer about. For again, the TVR entry had proved that despite what the doubters might say, reliability is proven by finishing the world's most gruelling endurance race. For that is exactly what the Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R had done With 11 hours now past the Peninsula T400R is still lapping the Le Mans street circuit. At present Piers is out on track and lapping at 4.24.349 The team are relaxed as they continue to fuel and service the Tuscan R through the night. Although it is just gone 3am the team are relaxed and readying themselves for the next pit stop. At present there are no serious issues with the car and the team are happy with the current situation. The main problrm for all the drivers is the heat they have to contend with in the cabin.
The TVR is still out and running. Temperatures are set to top 33-35 degrees so it is even hotter than yesterday. Currently it is standing at 14th in class and lapping at 4.32.247. Richard is at the wheel, Piers having handed over a while ago.
So far there have been two delays; The first was 20 minutes sorting out a broken clutch pedal. Apparently clutch pedal travel is now what you would call minimal as it is now something nearer to and on/off switch. The drivers are having to be really careful especially when leaving the pits! The second was an hours delay caused by a problem wheel nut and thread. John sat waiting in the car in the extreme temperatures we are experiencing here for a good while but ended up having to get out and wait. Unfortunate maybe but it is a 24 hour race and there are still many many hours to go and the car is out there working hard. The team are all in good spirits and there are some interesting photos being taken inside the pits that are not ideal for the website but may end up being printed out and passed around! Well we now know the grid positions for tomorrow's race. The Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R shaved nearly 30 seconds of its previous best time in practice and qualifying to post a time of 4:22.310 for the 13km circuit. Unfortunately, everyone else improved during this final session as well so no real improvement on grid position - the teams starts in 12th place in class - 46th overall. But, as Henri Pescarolo, team owner for the all-French Pescarolo Judds that occupy P1 and P2 on the grid in their LM1 cars said last night, It's the race that counts.
The Racesports Peninsula TVR T400R acquiited itslef well last night during first qualifying sessions. At the end of day qualifying it was lying 41st overall and 12th in class with a time of 5:20.267. During the night time session it posted a best time of 4:48.379 leaving the team 44th overall and 11th in class.
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