Wide Body R35 GTR

Its been a while since we have had any news on this amazing looking GTR, but looking at the latest set of pictures, its been worth the wait. The owner Ben of BPA Body shop has been extremely busy, so his personal pride and joy unfortunately had to take a back seat, something we can relate to with our own build, when you are a small business you have to prioritise, and your own personal get put together as and when.

We have been waiting so long for someone to build a white GTR with our wide body and Ben didn't disappoint, its breath taking finish is a credit to his craft, its impeccable, and he has a great eye for attention to detail, with the Nismo 2015 red pinstripe being added to the bottom half of the kit, along with a carbon bonnet with exposed carbon vents, the black roof and black diffuser, splitter and side skirts, he really did hit the sweet spot on the overall look of the car, some people don’t seem to like the black stripe in between the rear lights, but we do, its different and its nice to see someone thinking outside of the usual GTR box.

The engine is heavily modified, albeit we have no idea what changes have been made, all we know is its had certain tuned modifications, so it should be plenty quick enough for most peoples speed needs.

Its all be finished off with some gloss black VAD CR EVO in 12x21 front and 13x21 rear, wrapped in 355/25R21 Pirelli Rubber.

Nissan R35 GTR

Nissan R35 GTR

Nissan R35 GTR

Nissan R35 GTR

We said when this car was started to be constructed that it was going to turn out pretty special, and it really hasn't disappointed, it’s a credit to Ben and his team, and were extremly please there is yet another VAD wide body GTR on UK roads.

#vadgtr #VADDESIGN #vadgtrwidebody #widebodygtr #NissanGTRWideBody #GTR #NissanGTRGT3 #NissanGTR #Nissan #nismo #vaddesignwidebodygtr

BMW Z4 GT3 LS3 V8 Road Conversion

The VAD BMW Z4 (E89) has finally finished its first round of modifications with the completion of our crate LS3 6.3LTR V8 engine installation, coilover suspension, brake and exhaust upgrade and we must say its turned out looking pretty immense, Craig at Dynotorque has done a pretty spectacular job, the engine install looks like it came out of the factory with this engine in place it’s that neat and tidy, it looks at home with plenty of room over the original 2.5Ltr N52B25 engine, it sits much further back with better weight distribution, with the added fact it’s a much lighter unit, we can’t just wait to hit the street in this beast, it’s going to be a pretty radical looking machine out on the open roads.

For the next stage we will be making a few suspension adjustments and will be modifying the inner fenders especially at the rear to accommodate the much larger wheel and tyre fitment, so the 13x19 and 345/30 tyres will fit as they should without any rubbing under load, It’s a necessary mod for any modified car that is having a wide body install, then it will be off to Emerald for the final map and Can-Bus setup, and then she will be ready to head off down to our composite partners BAMD for the Aspect GT carbon body GT3 install, Adam can’t wait to get his hands on this beast, and we can’t wait for him to give this build his magic touch.

Its taken us two years to research exactly what was required, along with the final spec of what we wanted, we did consider the S65 BMW V8, but after a conversation with Craig who explained the pitfalls of going that route, but how simple the LS3 conversion as well as the cost implications, it seemed like a no brainer, our vision and dream of building the ultimate road going Z4 is almost complete, and although we will upset some purists out there, we just remind ourselves, we have built this car for us, and we are happy with the route we have taken with this build.

We will be blogging when the car is down at BAMD, so be sure to bookmark us and follow the progress as it happens.

Trial fit of the rear carbon fibre GT3 wider rear quarter panel

First start up of the VAD BMW Z4 GT3 V8 LS3

#BMWV8LS3Conversion #BMW63V8LS3 #BMWZ4 #BMWWideBody #BMWRace #BMWV8 #BMWe89V8conversion #BMW #BMWZ4GT3 #GT3Z4 #e89BMWGT3Z4

Mascar Racing Birmingham Wheels 24/06/2017 with Andy Hartwell 05

Saturday the 24th of June saw the return to Birmingham wheels with the Mascar Racing crew, and what a great meeting it was, with 3 fantastic races and we are pleased to say Andy Hartwell had his first race win of the season, so you can only imagine our celebrations.

The build-up week to the race meet saw Andy burn some midnight oil getting the car ready he is meticulous in every detail when preparing the car for race meets, and he gave the car a complete overall from front to back, it was then taken to Pro 24 Racing for set up, huge shout out to Craig, as he got the car well dialed in so the car was ready to rock and roll for the Birmingham meeting. Anyone that knows the Birmingham wheels track will also know it’s not the best place to race as its rather dilapidated, but as it’s the home circuit you have to go in full support, we just wish the council would actually throw some money back at the place, as it could be a wonderful place to go racing, it just needs some TLC.

Andy-Hartwell-Mascar-05

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With the car set up and all looking good with practice on the Saturday afternoon, the 5.45pm race one was let’s say rather eventful, with Andy yet again starting at the back of the grid, he wasted no time carving his way through the traffic, that was until he had his nose taken clean out and hit the wall pretty full on, but he regrouped to finish 6th but in the normal Hartwell style he just got on with it, no moaning, groaning, he wasn't particularly happy as the accident bent the front of the chassis, but not one to whinge or gripe he just got on with the job in hand and race, without being biased, I do feel some of the racers that line up in this formula should take notice of Andy’s attitude, although it a none contact sport, rubbing bumping and crashing into each other is going to happen, it’s how you deal with that is what sorts the racers from the none racers. With race one being won by Julie Stanford, and we must say she is quick, and she really does know how to peddle, she is firm, fair and bloody fast.

In race two Andy lined up 6th as he had finished in race one and it took him no time at all to head the pack, once he got to the front all he had to do was keep the blistering pace and he would win not only his first Mascar win, but the first win of the season, no way anyone would catch him in that race, Steve Stanford who finished second had a good go at reeling him in, but Andy had the measure of the field in race two, a great result with some powerful moves and over taking.

Birmingham Wheels Saturday 24th June 2017, Mascar Racing, Race 2 & race win for Andy Hartwell

With the final it was a reverse grid and Andy was again at the back of the grid, a position he has got used to starting from, but it really doesn't seem to faze him, as far as he is concerned it is what it is, go hard or go home, and go hard is exactly what he did, he put on a pretty epic show, moving through the field to finish 2nd, so a pretty good day at the office.

Mascar-Birmingham-Wheels-2017-Nick-Spicer-Karl-Baker

Mascar-Birmingham-Wheels-2017-John-Keogh

Mascar-Birmingham-Wheels-2017-Andy-Hartwell

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Mascar-Birmingham-Wheels-2017-Dan-Ashton

We were supposed to head out on the Sunday to Buxton in the Derbyshire countryside, but with the front end of the chassis not in good shape, Andy decided he would rather miss that round and fix the car for the next round at Skegness Raceway.

A huge congratulations and well done to Andy Hartwell, its been on the cards for a while, were just glad we were there to see him bring it home at the front, roll on Skegness…see you there.

The Hartwell #05 pit crew, with a second place finish in the final

#MascarRacing #mascar #Mascar05 #andyhartwell #05hartwell #BirminghamWheels #Birminghamwheels #BirminghamWheelsRaceWay #Jascar