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BTB Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2018

• 11/12/2018

This October held a special significance for BTB because it was the 35^th anniversary of the date of our foundation in 1983. Over the course of that 35 years we have encountered many individuals and organisations that have helped us to achieve this milestone. Therefore while we celebrate, we would like to acknowledge and thank all of our staff, customers, and suppliers who have supported us through the years for all their hard work, loyalty and trust.  We look forward to continuing these relationships for many years as we continue in business together. 

Whilst we reflect on some of the highlights of our past history, we must also recognise a more recent triumph.  As the most high profile and closely fought circuit racing championship in the United Kingdom, the British Touring Car championship represents an intense challenge between divers and teams for the coveted trophies.  This year were proud to have supplied legendary team West Surrey Racing with exhaust manifolds for their BMW 120i that propelled Colin Turkington to his third drivers title and enable the team to take both Manufacturers and Team championships. 

Some other manufacturers also seem to be celebrating significant birthdays this year.  Porsche are 70 and Cosworth celebrate 60 years since their foundation. Also Tesla are 10 this year, and interestingly another electric vehicle company was founded, like BTB, in 1983, namely….Sinclair Vehicles, remember them? If life is a journey, not a destination, then survival must surely been seen as success.  Many well-wishers have said to us that, “you must be doing something right”, and if that can be distilled down into a few key qualities that we continue to advocate, they are: Integrity, loyalty, and tenacity, which along with lots of hard work and a little luck along the way should see us though a good few more years to come.

Five years ago Aston Martin celebrated their 100^th birthday, and as they enjoy renewed growth and vitality as they forge into their second century, now might be a good time to look at  BTB’s relationship with this iconic British brand and it’s cars, past, present and future.  Aston Martins of all generations have benefitted from BTB’s bespoke exhaust expertise, right back to pre-war cars like the famous red-Dragon car once campaigned by Britain’s first superstar racing driver Richard Seaman in the 1930s. BTB have also made exhausts for 4 of the 5 DBR1 cars that were made, including the car that famously won the Le Mans 24 hours in 1959. Another Aston with significant if less glorious Le Mans history is the famous V8 RHAM/1 “The Muncher”, BTB were very pleased to have this car, now restored to its normally aspirated 1977 specification in for us to supply exhaust manifolds and system. Although it is generally required to run silencers these days, it still gives today’s spectators a chance to see the beast in action where it belongs on a track, rather than tucked away as a museum piece. BTB’s skills in prototyping have often been used by the factory over the years as new models are developed in secret, a relationship which continues with many exciting projects being worked on…none of which that we can divulge here of course. The future of Aston Martin Racing success lies with their new Vantage model, and BTB got a sneak preview of the new 2019 GT4 customer car when we helped the team with the development of the new car’s exhaust system at the first track test at Donington recently (video link). The new car’s turbocharged engine helps it to maintain a stealthy presence on the track, and it should have no trouble with achieving the noise limits required to enable its lucky drivers the chance to enjoy it at any track around the world.