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Darkside Motorsport


Here at Darkside, Motorsport is the proving ground for our performance products. No matter how much abuse you give your vehicle on the road, nothing compares to the stresses of even a few laps on the track.
This is why we test as many of our products as possible in this environment to ensure they will be fit for purpose. Over the years we have had success in several formulae of circuit racing, and also in drag racing, as a result of our constant push for performance and reliability.
Below is a summary of our plans for 2024, with links to the vehicle specifications, race calendar, previous successes, best lap times, our great sponsors and detailed information on the race series we are entered in.

Vehicles

Race

For the 2024 Season, we have simplified the fleet, with two identical Audi TT TDIs and the RS3 TCR. The Golf will still be following us, the new owners planning to do the Roadsports Series with us.

Track

With the 125d Gone, at the moment we only have the Mini as a Track Car, but things may change during 2024.

2024 Calendar

The full calendar is below, any events that have passed are a link to the blog post for that weekend / race.

Previous Success

Year Event Vehicle Achievements
2019 Trackday Championship Seat Ibiza TDI Winners Overall and Class B
2019 Santa Pod Raceway Seat Arosa TDI Worlds Fastest FWD Diesel 1/4 Mile
2019 Birkett Relay Seat Leon TDI & Seat Ibiza TDI & VW Golf TDI 2nd in Handicap
2020 Trackday Championship & SuperCup VW Golf TDI 2 Race wins (part season due to restrictions)
2021 Trackday Championship VW Golf TDI Winners Overall and Class B
2021 SuperCup VW Golf TDI Winners Class A and 3rd Overall
2021 Birkett Relay VW Golf TDI & Audi TT TFSI 1st Class B - 7th Scratch / 18th Handicap
2022 ClubEnduro VW Golf TDI Runners Up Class B
2022 Turismo-X VW Golf TDI Winners Class A and 4th Overall
2022 Turismo-X Audi TT TFSI Runners Up Class S and 2nd Overall
2022 Birkett Relay VW Golf TDI & Audi TT TFSI 3rd Class B - 11th Scratch / 35th Handicap
2023 ClubEnduro VW Golf TDI Overall Champion, 1st in Class, 2 Fastest Laps & 2 Lap records - Class B
2023 Roadsports VW Golf TDI 4 Race Wins, 5 Fastest Laps & 3 Lap Records - Class B
2023 Roadsports Audi TT TDI 1 Race Win, 4 Podiums, 2 Fastest Laps & 2 Lap Records - Class A
2023 ClubSport Trophy Audi TT TFSI 4 Race Wins, 5 Podiums, 4 Fastest Laps - Class B
2023 TT Cup Racing Audi TT TFSI 3 Podiums
2023 Birkett Relay VW Golf TDI & Audi TT TFSI 2nd Class B - 7th Scratch / 28th Handicap

Race Blog

Keep up to date with our racing results on our blog page:

Laptimes

Fastest Lap Times

Anglesey International


1:38.23

1:36.82

1:35.39

Anglesey Coastal


1:15.10

1:14.32

Blyton Park


1:08.44

1:07.49

1:06.02

Brands Hatch GP


1:42.33

1:40.23

1:38.06

1:38.52

1:47.81

Brands Hatch Indy


52.78

53.24

51.39

51.72

55.51

Cadwell Park


1:37.18

1:41.58

Castle Combe


1:16.96

Croft


1:30.26

1:27.70

1:36.053

1:29.23

Donington GP


1:44.09

1:40.52

1:46.543

1:52.66

Donington National


1:16.62

1:12.60

1:17.674

1:21.578

1:20.52

1:21.92

Knockhill


59.67

Oulton Park


1:52.25

1:49.82

1:54.10

1:59.76

Silverstone National


1:04.43

1:02.88

1:05.58

1:08.55

Silverstone International


1:15.09

1:13.36

1:15.80

Silverstone GP


2:23.64

2:22.21

2:27.18

2:32.75

2:32.24

2:31.67

Snetterton 200


1:21.24

Snetterton 300


2:07.97

2:04.91

2:03.12

2:09.799

2:03.95

2:18.14

Spa


2:46.29

2:44.24

2:41.68

Zandvoort


2:03.96

Partners / Sponsors

Without our partners, our racing exploits wouldn't be possible. We appreciate everything they do for us and in return we are able to offer a wide variety of hospitality opportunities. That could be passenger rides in our Race cars at a track day, Experience days in our Overland vehicles or simply a sticker on one of our cars! Each partner has specific wants and needs and its up to us at Darkside Developments to fulfil those needs in the best possible way. Racing is the best form of professional networking with like minded individuals, many lucrative business deals have taken place in the racing paddock, some totally unrelated to the automotive world!

If you or your company would like to work with Darkside Developments or just has some marketing budget to spend, please contact us and we will endeavour to meet your requirements.

What can we give back -

  • Race Hospitality - Truck, Tickets, meals
  • Passenger rides
  • Experience in Overland vehicles
  • Race Support
  • Race Car builds
  • Tuition
  • Socials - Tags, Shout outs, Product reviews (relevant only)

Social Media

Series for 2024

Format

Races are 45 minutes plus 1 lap with a compulsory pit stop, and optional driver / car change. Qualifying is a 25 minute session. The race can be split as follows:

1 - Single driver in one car
2 - Two drivers sharing one car
3 - Two drivers with two cars running in a relay team

Pit stops may be taken between the 15th minute and 30th minute of the race duration. During the pit stop the car must remain stationary for a minimum of one minute - refuelling is not permitted. For drivers competing in a relay team the second car may leave the pits after the first car in the team has spent one minute stationary in the pit lane.

Classes

A - Super GT - 300bhp/tonne
B - GT - 240bhp/tonne
C - Supersport - 180bhp/tonne
D - Sport - 145bhp/tonne

Regulations:

  • Meet the basic Motorsport UK standards for safety
  • No more than 300 bhp per tonne
  • Minimum weight of 520kg (post-race and without driver)
  • For the purpose of calculating minimum weight turbo diesels will have their maximum power figure multiplied by 1.05
  • 4WD vehicles are not permitted
  • Aerodynamic devices are permitted, in terms of fixed rear wings/diffusers and front splitters only.

Power (measured at the flywheel) is measured as per MAHA Dynamometer calibration - a list of approved MAHA operators can be found in the regulations. Scrutineering spot checks will be carried out via the 750MC's own MAHA mobile rolling road.

Tyres

Motorsport UK list 1A/1B/1C only (no slicks permitted).

The Tyre of Choice for most competitors has been the following:

Format

Races are typically 100mins or 120mins, occasionally with a 180min race per season. Three drivers can share a three hour race and remain competitive since there are two mandatory pitstops.

One or two drivers, running one car (relay teams can enter as Invitational), with refuelling as required in a single three minute minimum mandatory pitstop.

Classes

A - 300bhp/tonne
B - 240bhp/tonne
C - 180bhp/tonne
I - Invitational (at organisers' discretion)

Regulations

  • Meet the basic Motorsport UK standards for safety
  • No more than 300 bhp per tonne
  • Minimum weight of 520kg (post-race and without driver)
  • For the purpose of calculating minimum weight turbo diesels will have their maximum power figure multiplied by 1.05
  • 4WD vehicles are not permitted
  • Aerodynamic devices are permitted, in terms of fixed rear wings/diffusers and front splitters only.

Power (measured at the flywheel) is measured as per MAHA Dynamometer calibration - a list of approved MAHA operators can be found in the regulations. Scrutineering spot checks will be carried out via the 750MC's own MAHA mobile rolling road.

Tyres

Motorsport UK list 1A/1B/1C only (no slicks permitted).

The Tyre of Choice for most competitors has been the following:

Originating on the racetracks of Japan, Time Attack has evolved to become one of the most significant and engaging motorsport phenomena of our time. It has captivated audiences and inspired an entire generation of enthusiasts from around the globe, who will do whatever it takes to achieve the fastest lap.

It defines the art of focused car modification by providing aftermarket tuners – both amateur and professional – with a platform on which to prove themselves in the most convincing way possible. It embraces the complete spectrum of tuning levels – from a road-based trackday car to a full-blown, mega-horsepower monster – and rewards drivers who achieve ultimate success in each of the categories and classes.

The art of registering the quickest lap-time on a circuit using a production-based car, with no power or upgrade limitations, is a true test of man and machine versus the clock. It’s about running a car to its absolute limit and beyond; on the knife-edge of engine power, traction and response; on the limits of handling, chassis set-up and down force, whilst maintaining reliability and, above all, speed.

Introduced to Britain in 2006, the UK Time Attack Championship has grown into the largest and most professional series of its kind in the world. It attracts drivers and teams from all corners of the UK as well as overseas, with an eclectic mix of cars that many of the 1000s of spectators and on-line supporters who follow the championship can readily relate to.

In 2010 it was formally recognised by the Motorsport UK – the governing body for motorsport in Britain – as an official form of motorsport, with specific rules and formats published in the official regulations.

Multiple classes are employed to give relevance and purpose to a wide variety of cars and drivers: from entry-level street cars to professional higher performance monsters.

Time Attack operates at the UK’s leading racing circuits, with official timing supplied by TSL to race industry standard, to ensure legitimacy and credibility of the times achieved by competing teams. The championship operates a calendar running between April and September each year to provide a variety of track layouts with National reach and localised audiences across the UK. Time Attack operates a full Championship status points system for each round and class, providing an annual accumulation of points, not only to recognise the quickest cars at each round, but to crown the Class Champions at the end of the year.

To ensure the successful and relevant entry of cars and teams, the classing system has evolved into specific categories that are suitable to accept differing levels of car, potential lap-times, modifications and drive-line. The system encourages vehicles from ‘street spec’ to purpose-built world class racing machines. Throughout the season lap-times are monitored and where necessary adjustments are made to ensure fair competition in all classes is maintained; the quicker the car, the further up the classing field it goes.

Organisers work hard to ensure that every round is a weekend to remember, with six of this year’s events supported by spectacular and well-attended car shows, so there’s plenty of spectators watching the action. Adding to the profile is the championship’s on-line presence, live timing and extensive social media activity.

Whether you’re new to motorsport or a trackday regular who wants to enter the competitive arena; a hillclimb or sprint driver who wants to compete for more than just a few minutes; a racer that’s fed up with other people causing high repair bills; or someone who wants to be part of something that breaks the traditional motorsport mould – then Time Attack is the place for you.

And for drivers who have never competed before, Time Attack is easy to enter and offers the perfect entry point for those getting started in motorsport. From then on, the championship allows drivers to progress through the ranks as they become more experienced and the performance of their car increases.

Time Attack’s wide range of classes means that a car can be eligible and competitive with just a few basic modifications. Plus there’s the championship’s high profile status, a professional organising team and an enjoyable social side with great camaraderie between teams and drivers in the paddock.

Format

Races consist of timed laps on a circuit, with each car aiming to achieve the fastest lap time. Drivers typically have a set number of laps or a time limit to record their fastest lap. The format may vary depending on the specific event and category, but is typically a warm-up, practice, qualifying and then the final. For 2024 each session is 15 minutes long.

Classes

When it comes to the make, model, type and specification of car you can use, Time Attack is one of the most flexible and accessible championships there is.

With this eclectic mix of vehicles taking part, to ensure close competition throughout the field a series of carefully thought through classes make up the structure of the championship, each comprising a specific set of considerations regarding specification and performance.

To help you decide which class to enter and where your car will be most competitive, plus provide greater clarity as to eligibility, there are a series of easy-to-read bulletins that clearly describe the basic requirements for each class. Click the name of the following classes to download a pdf:

LIST OF CLASSES

Clubman & Clubman+ An entry-level category for mildly modified production and trackday cars. The class is split into Clubman and Clubman+ depending on potential lap times.

Pocket Rocket FI & NA For smaller cars and hot hatches of 1600cc with forced induction, or up to 2240cc normally aspirated. Tuner modifications are allowed.

Club Sport A class for lightweight, road and track orientated cars, such as Caterhams, Westfields, Ariel Atoms etc.

Classic & Retro For cars based on models 25 or more years old, designed to appeal to drivers looking for a non-contact form of motorsport.

Club FWD, RWD & 4WD The most popular category for production cars tuned and modified up to a controlled level. The class is split into two categories: 2WD and 4WD.

Club Pro 2WD & 4WD For modified cars running on MSUK List treaded or slick tyres for dry conditions and racing wets when it rains. Sequential gearboxes and additional aero mods are allowed over that of the Club Classes.

GT3 & Sportscar A class specifically for Sports and GT cars that is open to all categories, makes and models, homologated and non-homologated.

Prototype For Prototype and specialists sportscars that do not require type approval as a road car.

Pro 2WD & 4WD

For highly modified competition cars running on racing slicks and wets, split into 2WD and 4WD categories.

Pro Extreme 2WD & 4WD

The class where almost anything goes! Spaceframes and modified chassis are allowed, with a category for 2WD and 4WD cars.

Regulations:

  • Adhere to UK Time Attack regulations and safety standards
  • Each car must undergo scrutineering to ensure compliance with safety and technical regulations
  • Modifications to the car are allowed within the regulations of the specific class
  • Minimum weight and power-to-weight ratio requirements may vary between classes
  • Aerodynamic modifications and suspension setups must comply with regulations
  • Technical specifications for engines, drivetrain, and chassis are specified in the regulations

Tyres

Participants are typically allowed to use a variety of tyre types, including semi-slicks and racing slicks, depending on the class regulations and event rules.

The Tyre of Choice for most competitors has been the following:

Drag

Drag racing was our first leap into motorsports, and whilst we have had a few years off, we are still planning to dust off the Arosa and get back on it, or we may even build something else?

Previous Vehicles

Our previous track projects served us proud, but in the case of the Leon, unfortunately were damaged beyond repair in a fire at the owners property. The Golf, TTCR, Ibiza and BMW live on with their new owners! The TT TFSI was converted to a TDI!

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