Latest News
Winter Project - Lotus VI
John Danby Racing's latest restoration project is the rebuild of a 1950s Lotus VI . Exported to Utah, America in the mid 1980s, the car was housed in a museum until rescued and brought back home to England for a customer in 2011. The car will be restored to its original glory by JDR over the coming months and progress/photos added to the site.
JDR welcome Liz Halliday’s return to racing
Professional dual sportswoman Liz Halliday will return to regular motorsport competition in 2012 after sealing a deal to contest the Lotus Cup UK series with John Danby Racing. The British-based Californian, who combines careers as a professional equestrian and race car driver, is keen to maintain her involvement with four-wheeled as well as four-legged competition.
In 2012 she will be back behind the wheel of a racing car alongside her busy eventing schedule, launching an assault on the fiercely competitive Lotus Cup championship aboard one of the British marque’s 2-Eleven sportscars. The effort will be run by the vastly experienced John Danby Racing outfit, for whom Liz successfully contested a number of historic events during 2010. The smooth running of these outings made the Colchester-based squad a natural choice for her return to competitive racing action.
Liz Halliday: "I'm really excited to be going racing again in 2012. It’s shaping up to be an extremely busy year: alongside the Lotus Cup, I'll still be focusing heavily on my eventing competitions, so there will barely be time to catch my breath.
"Moreover, I'm thrilled to be renewing my relationship with John Danby Racing. They're a fantastic team, extremely hard working and reliable. They did an excellent job running the historics in 2010 and as a group they inspire a great deal of confidence in a driver. I can't wait to get started and to begin working with them again."
John Danby, Team Principal: “We are extremely pleased to be welcoming Liz on board full-time for 2012. Having worked with her previously we know the commitment and passion she brings to her racing, and are looking forward to a thoroughly successful season together."
For more information on Liz Halliday please see the Drivers page.
HSCC Season opener race meeting – 17-18th March
Donington plays host to the HSCC’s season opener race on the weekend of 17/18th March. John Danby Racing will be supporting with a line up of historic racecars.
John Danby Team Principal: ‘We are looking forward to our first race of the season. Having performed various winter work on the cars, ranging from engine refreshes to diff rebuilds, the cars are prepared and ready for yet another fun season. Let’s just hope the weather in March will be kind to us! ‘
Autosport Show 2012
JDR attended the 2012 Autosport Show this week - the UK's premier Motorsport Trade Show. As members of the MIA, JDR had a busy schedule of meetings with manufacturers and customers in the MIA business lounge, as well as viewing the latest products and technology on show.
PRI Show, Florida
Once again JDR are attending the 24th annual PRI Show in Orlando Florida, December 1-3rd. The show, one of the world's largest Motorsport Trade Shows, plays host to the worldwide racing industry.
As MIA members John Danby Racing attend many networking events, striving to be at forefront of developing technologies.
JDR?s season concludes with the Britcar ?Into the Night? race
The team has been developing the Honda NSX, a unique project built from a roadcar chassis into a technologically advanced racecar, throughout the season. ‘This event provides loads of tracktime, so although we will use the race as extended testing, it will provide a great atmosphere it !’ said John, Team Principle.
NSX owner David Fenn was recovering from a knee injury, so stepped aside to let son Rob represent the Fenns at this event. Rob paired up with friend and experienced racer Rob Barff, which proved to be a very dynamic duo indeed!
‘The car now feels both alert and rock solid’ enthused Fenn, ‘It handled high load corners and quick direction changes very well. Thanks have to go to JDR and test driver Rob Barff for putting in the mileage to iron out some handling characteristics caused by OEM components and set up.
A surprise and delight factor came thanks to JDR’s solution for additional lighting at the front of the NSX. Whilst repairing a previously damaged front bumper, JDR used the opportunity to integrate three auxiliary lights to help night racing. We’re left with an OEM looking solution that doesn’t upset the aerodynamics; the pick of paddock compared to the bolt-on monstrosities that most of the competition had!
General testing during the day on Friday went well – the track was damp to start, but soon dried up and the team began to bed in new pads and discs, do a full systems check and fuel usage verification prior to the endurance race.
Friday evening saw the start of Night Practice – and an opportunity to prove the new light clusters developed by JDR for the event. ‘The circuit takes on a very different feel at night, as anyone who has been to Le Mans 24hr race will know’ commented Nicola, ‘we are very pleased with the performance of the car this evening – 1st in class is a tribute to both drivers & car development this season’.
The NSX came in 1st in class, and 6th overall with a time of 50.1s set by Barff, with the second in class BMW running down in 10th place on a 50.5s. The team also took the opportunity to practice their pitstops; driver changes & tyre changes again.
Thanks to Sportstock.co.uk for some great images taken over the weekend!
Qualifying took place in the sunshine on Saturday morning, although the track was wet. Rob Fenn started the session, then swapped to Rob Barff who scrubbed in new race tyres,. A practice pitstop later and Rob Barff started to set his times. In the last few minutes, as the track dried, the times got faster. Barff struggled to get a clear lap as the timer counted down, and finished 1st in class, 11th overall and a tenth ahead of second in class BMW of Clarke & Gibson.
Sadly during the re-prep before the start of the race the data showed a developing engine fault, and the team decided to retire the car from the race to save any further engine damage.
This was an unfortunate finish to John Danby Racing’s 2011 season, but plans are already in the making for the 2012 season. Watch this space!!
Britcar Night Race
JDR are busy finalising preparations for the Britcar Night Race at Brands Hatch on 18&19th November. The father/son duo, David & Rob Fenn will be joined by Rob Barff to compete in their JDR built and run Honda NSX.
The Honda, having undergone a season of testing this year, will compete in the 2hr Production race ahead of a season's endurance racing in 2012.
Good luck guys !
Walter Hayes Trophy, Silverstone
John Danby Racing ended their Historic motor racing season on a high at the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting at the start of November.
Running Nick Atkins in his JDR prepared Elite, the team tested on the National circuit on the Friday and raced in the HSCC Closed Wheel race on the Saturday.
Although the weather was unusually kind for November, the track was damp for qualifying. Despite this however, Nick qualified a good 3rd in class against competition such as E type Jaguars. The HSCC season-finisher race was an ‘All-comers’ Race, with a huge variety of historic cars providing a great show for spectators and competitors alike. Nick finished 3rd in class – 25th overall from 37 starters.
‘What a nice way to finish our 2011 Historic Race Season’ commented team principle John, ‘we look forward to another fun season of racing Historics in 2012’.
JDR prepared Elite at Silverstone - 4/5th November
JDR will be running Nick in his Elite in the last HSCC meeting of 2011 this weekend. Testing friday, qualifying and race on saturday, it is shaping up to be a nice race meeting to end the season.
If you will be there so come and see us - look out for the big JDR racetruck.
Thanks to the HSCC for another great year's racing!
GTA For Sale - Ready to race!
Very clean, tidy GTA for sale (with HTP papers) ready to race.
Run by JDR in 2010, to view or for further details please contact us.
Chassis number 848011.
New Aluminium 55ltr fuel tank & harness.
Car has competed in 6 races on the current engine.
Interesting history, ex Helmut Marko,
Spares include:
• Gearbox
• Engine (0 hours) & spares
• Fully built up rear axle (low ratio, ideal for hillclimbs)
• Set of wheels & good tyres
Class Win at Six Hour Meeting
The famous Spa 6hr Meeting is an annual event for John Danby Racing, which this year saw the team entering the Elan and Elite of Nick Atkins and bringing home a class win in Masters Gentlemen Drivers and a 3rd in class in Pre 63 GT grid.
Experienced Historic racer Nick Atkins teamed up with sports racer James Barclay to bring both cars home in podium positions. Somewhat surprisingly, glorious sunshine reigned upon the Belgian circuit for the whole weekend, and this brought the crowds out in their numbers.
The pair qualified both cars third in class; James’ time of 3m 23 in the Elite, followed by another great performance of 3m 04 in the JDR built lightweight Elan 26R secured the grid positions.
As well as racing, Nick was host to a number of his corporate guests at the event, and delighted in being able to share the excitement of racing with some motorsport newcomers. “Endesign's guests’ enjoyment of Spa was at another level. The weather, the hospitality unit where they could dine while watching the 6 hour race, were particularly appreciated “ Nick reports. “Endesign Director, Eef van Leusden’s detailed instructions for 2012 endorsed his positive reaction to the event.”
Raceday brought more glorious sunshine, and the Elite was first out to race. Nick made a good getaway in the rolling start, and a smooth pitstop midway with driver change to James maintained third position against some stiff competition.
“The Spa circuit has long been my absolute favourite so that on a personal note, the development of the Elite by JDR provided confidence such that I could get on terms with the car and really race it. To spend the pre-’63 GT race in competition with another Elite and an ‘E’ type Jaguar (3x the capacity), and to finish 3rd in class will be one of the memorable occasions of my driving career” enthused Nick.
The Masters Gentleman Drivers was a 2 hour race for the Elan, in which the car crept steadily from third in class to first in class. A stall during the pitstop saw the competition overtake, and the JDR Elan exited in 3rd place. James however closed the gap steadily, taking a car a lap and in three laps was once again leading the class. James maintained lead to finish 1st in class, 8th overall with a stunning 47 second lead over the competition.
USA based Barclay travelled to Europe especially to partner Nick in the two races, and was delighted to be able to return to America with two trophies in hand.
Speaking afterwards, Nick said “For the Gentlemen Drivers’ event the higher power of the Elan made making precise control in the long Spa corners more challenging. The use of the new Racelogic V box system as recommended by JDR enabled me to understand the car’s special requirements by viewing what co-driver James Barclay was doing, and to make significant improvements to the lap time. In the event, the Elan finished first in class against powerful Elan mounted opposition.”
Masters Historic Festival - Donington
The John Danby Racing prepared Elan of Nick Atkins took part in the second Masters Racing Festival at Donington this weekend. Historic Lotus racer Nick Atkins was partnered by pro driver Rob Barff for the 2 hour endurance race. The duo qualified the Elan third in class on a 1.22.5 and brought the car home safely , 4th Elan overall.
The next outing for both Nick’s Elan and Elite is the Spa Six Hour meeting end of September.
Trio of Lotus' for the Gold Cup
Despite the typical Bank Holiday weather, the Oulton Park Gold Cup was a great fun weekend for all at John Danby Racing. Barry Davison & Nick Atkins teamed up in their Lotus Elites & Eleven racecars to brave the rain in three races.
There was plenty of on-track action, with free practice, qualifying for the HSCC Roadsports, Guards Trophy and Legends Stirling Moss Trophy on Saturday. Sunday brought yet more rain, but the Elites completed the Roadsports race in good style, Nick very pleased with the addition of his new heated windscreen! Sadly the pair were 2nd reserve for the Guards race and didn’t get to race.
Monday, and yet another full days racing for the JDR team – qualifying and race for the Stirling Moss Trophy.
Lots of fun had by all, not just on track but some great team dinners too !
Team JDR are now preparing for this weekend’s Masters Historic Festival at Donington – come and see us there!
NSX 'Charity Drive of a Lifetime'
Auction winner Mark Hartley was recently treated to a 'Drive of a Lifetime' at Brands Hatch in the John Danby Racing built Honda NSX. Mark, highest bidder at the Charity Auction in aid of the Royal London Society for the Blind, spent the day at Brands Hatch with ex Formula One star Martin Donnelly and NSX owner David Fenn.
Martin thrilled with some high speed laps around the full Grand Prix with Mark as passenger, making it a day to remember!
Flying Fenns dominate at Brands Hatch
David and Rob Fenn were on home turf in the Lotus Cup Europe championship last weekend, attending round four at Brands Hatch GP, their local circuit. Turning the table on their European counterparts, it was the French and Belgian majority’s turn to visit a relatively unknown circuit, whilst the Fenn’s demonstrated their JDR prepared Motorsport Elise’s true pace....
Things got off to a good start, with David putting the Elise 6th on the grid and 1st in class, a season's best in the Cup Europe championship. It was over to Rob for the first of the races, a 20 minute affair with a rolling start. After being out-dragged by more powerful cars on Brabham straight, Rob soon regained his starting position before joining the battle for 3rd place. As the pack fought for position behind him however, Rob ended up enjoying a fuss free end to the race to consolidate his place on the podium and take a class win.
The following day it was David’s turn, this time in the longer 30 minute race from a standing start. A combination of some competitors false starting and some exuberant throttle action cost David someplaces on the first lap. Eager to quickly regain position, David spun the Elise at Graham Hill Bend,allowing his class competitors through. Far from being the end of the race, David’s challenge had truly started!
Rapidly moving through the pack, David picked off competitors one-by-one, delighting the crowds and thrillingly snatching 5th place on the last lap from a defensively driven Lotus Evora.
David’s fight-back ensured another double class win for the pair, with the JDR run car sitting comfortably at the top of the Open class points table.
Lotus Trio excel at the Silverstone Classic
The world’s biggest classic motor racing festival – the Silverstone Classic -celebrated its 21st birthday in style this weekend with over 1000 entries from the finest historic racecars. Long time supporters of the Festival, John Danby Racing, were once again proud to be taking part with three historic Lotus GT cars.
Experienced racers Barry Davison and Nick Atkins teamed up with fellow competitors Oliver Stirling and Malcolm Ricketts for an action packed weekend of racing.
Nick Atkins, longtime Lotus fan, shared his newly built lightweight Elan 26R and his beautiful Elite with stepson Oliver in the Masters Gentleman Drivers and RAC Tourist Trophy endurance races. Barry Davison was partnered by Lotus stalwart Malcolm in his Lotus Elite, ensuring fierce competition in the Elite class between Davison and fellow JDR teammate Atkins.
Based in Silverstone's new Formula One garages Saturday’s Gentleman Drivers Elan race entertained the crowds with pitstops and driver changes, with Atkins’ JDR run Elan proving to be second fastest 26R. "The Elan is the perfect example of 'steer with the rear' and I can't wait to drive it again" enthused Oliver, "I’d drive it home if I could!!"
Sunday brought glorious sunshine and yet more racing, this time the turn of the two JDR prepared Elites of Atkins & Davison. Timely pitstops for both cars during the 50 minute race proved critical in the battle between team mates, and as the chequered flag fell Barry brought the car home in 7th place, Oliver in 8th place. Speaking afterwards, Barry said "What enormous fun to drive, and with a combined age of over 200 we three didn't do bad!"
Double winning weekend for John Danby Racing
The month of May heralded many successes for race team John Danby Racing, with a race event every weekend the team have been busy travelling UK and Europe supporting some fun race events. The finale weekend saw both JDR teams, at Silverstone and Magny Cours consecutively, bring home trophies and podium positions.
The experienced duo of Nick Atkins and Barry Davison, both accomplished drivers in the Historic Motor racing scene, teamed up at Silverstone for the GTSCC hour-long endurance race in Barry's Elite.
In the meantime, David Fenn competed in the second round of the Lotus Cup Europe series, with a double header race at Magny Cours.
David, in his Motorsport Elise fresh from round 1 of the Lotus Cup Europe in Dijon just two weeks prior, was new to the circuit and with limited testing time qualified the car a superb first in class in Saturday qualifying despite heavy rain replacing the French sunshine.
As Race 1 approached the weather brightened and as the lights changed to signal the rolling start David found himself trying to keep ahead of a pack of swarming 211s. The ensuing battle ended as three of the rival cars came together at Adelaide, leaving David free to put in his best lap times of the day and as the chequered flag fell, he finished a full 18 seconds ahead of his nearest class rival.
In Race 2 the Class win was yet again claimed by David. Despite a poor start and an episode in the gravel, David pulled out another impressive lead in what was a very exciting race.
"David has now got a few race miles under his belt in the Elise with its new transmission pack we engineered over-winter, and we are delighted to see him claim victory after victory. Our next outing with the car is on home soil, Snetterton in June, so we look forward to some more great racing." says, Ex-Lotus Motorsport Engineer John Danby
Meanwhile, at Silverstone, a cloudy but dry qualifying session put Barry & Nick third in class against four other Elites, with Barry setting the qualifying lap time.
Fresh from a full JDR suspension overhaul, the number 22 yellow Elite started the hour long race with Barry Davison at the wheel. During the mandatory pitstop Nick Atkins took over and brought the car home safely, third in class as the chequered flag fell.
JOHN DANBY RACING ACHIEVES ISO 14001 REGISTRATION FROM THE BRITISH ASSESSMENT BUREAU
Colchester based Motorsport Engineering company John Danby Racing has achieved the internationally recognised ISO14001 standard establishing it as one of the leaders in its field.
This independent assessment was conducted by the British Assessment Bureau a leading Certification Body and demonstrates John Danby Racing's commitment to customer serice and quality in delivery.
JDR has now earned the right to display the coveted British Assessment Bureau Quality Shield and ISO 14001 logo to demonstrate its conformance to the standard.
ISO 14001:2004 was first introduced 1996 as a British Standard and requires organisations to have an environmental policy and action plan to manage their impact on their environment. Certified organisations are committed to continuous improvement and are assessed annually to ensure progress is being maintained.
John Danby Racing has shown that it has a good service reliability and process control which means lower costs for its customers!
Nicola Danby, Director, said, "We are particularly pleased to have achieved ISO14001 certification as it underlines our commitment to our customers and our focus on quality. Not many customers get to see their suppliers' 'back-office' activities. This recognition demonstrates we can provide a quality solution from quotation to delivery."
The benefits of registration to the ISO14001 standard include:-
Streamlining an organisation's procedures.
Bringing consistency to an organisation's service delivery.
Reducing cost and rework.
Improving an organisation's management practices.
Enhanced status.
Competitive advantage.
Lower insurance premiums.
John Danby Racing?s Season kicks off in style
This weekend saw the first race of the season for John Danby Racing, running father and son team David and Rob Fenn in their newly rebranded Lotus Motorsport Elise.
The Motorsport Elise, fresh from a full winter overhaul, has been re-engineered by JDR to compete in the Lotus Cup UK and Europe Championships. Now featuring a whole new transmission package amongst other bespoke engineering modifications, the car will be one to watch as the season progresses.
"Over the winter we have engineered a new world touring car based gearbox package for the Motorsport Elise. This with our paddle shift kit has really made for a competitive package in this fabulous car" says, Ex-Lotus Motorsport Engineer John Danby."
Saturday brought sunshine and lots of action in qualifying. The 20 minute session proved to be busy 31 cars vying for position, with a safety car halfway through adding to the pressure. As the chequered flag fell the Fenns were second in class and seventh overall.
Snetterton Circuit, revamped over winter by Jonathan Palmer’s MSV team, now features a whole new layout and as a result provides an all-new challenge for drivers.
"With the new circuit layout and a lot of cars on track it proved difficult to find some clear space to set a lap time. I however managed to work my way through the traffic to set the time to put us second in class. So overall a decent position for the race and most importantly the car feels great after the rebuild, it clearly has huge potential for the season" says David Fenn, Team JDR Go Green Motorsport driver.
Raceday proved to be just as exciting with plenty of action to keep the crowd entertained. Starting driver Rob Fenn nailed the gas as the lights extinguished and the 60 minute race began. Rob kept a level head and began to make his way through the grid, taking second place just as the pit window opened. A smooth pitstop for Team JDR put David in good stead for the second half of the race. Sadly a safety car hampered progress and backed up the field while an incident was cleared from the track, leaving David stuck amidst back markers and down to 10th place. Perseverance paid off as experienced driver David eased his way back towards the front, finishing eighth overall and taking second in class as the chequered flag fell.
Rebranded for 2011 in new sponsor Go Green Motorsport livery the car attracted lots of attention, and can be seen again on track at the next race in April at Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport.
JDR?s Historic Racing Season Begins
John Danby Racing's historic racing season begins with a visit to Snetterton on 9/10th March.
Nick Atkins and step-son Oliver Stirling will be competing in the Classic Sports Car Club meeting in their bespoke JDR Elan 26R. Nick commissioned JDR to build his Lotus 26R last year with a view to a full season in 2011.
Pioneering New Technology
JDR are pioneers in new technology and for some time have been using innovative new Works Bell steering wheel bosses in their racecars. These impressive products include amongst many others a Lightweight 'Flip up' steering wheel boss and an Endurance 'quick release' steering wheel boss.
Both high quality products are perfect for endurance racing – allowing easy access for driver changes, and easy reassembly of the wheel. The quick release boss have a unique 'locator' whereby the wheel can be fitted instantly in any orientation, rather than fumbling to reattach the wheel, saving vital seconds in pitstops! Please contact us for further information
Atkins Elan Finished
Last weekend saw the completion and debut of the Nick Atkins 26R Lotus Elan.
The Elan was painstakingly built by JDR on a donor chassis with a new body shell. After a successful test on Tuesday it was taken directly to the Nurburgring for its debut race at the famous Oldtimers meeting. Qualifying went well and with Nick getting used the car he said it had "tremendous grip". All eyes then turned to the sky as rain was forecast for raceday. The rain certainly came and the car was ready with wet tyres and settings. Unfortunately our race and all the remaining races where canceled only an hour before the start due to flooding on the track (it was really heavy rain). Nick and the Elan will be back at the Donnington Masters round on September 5th.
- Race Car Preparation
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JDR have extensive expertise in racecar preparation and setup - the knowledge and resources to ensure maximum competitiveness at all levels of motorsport.
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- Race Car Engineering
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JDR specialise in bespoke projects from Panelwork and Chassis fabrication through to lightweight prototype parts for optimum performance.
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- Vehicle Restoration
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From stripping and rebuilding, to researching and finding parts for incomplete projects JDR are highly experienced in getting your car back to perfect condition.
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- Historic Road and Rally
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JDR's skills are not limited just to the racetrack or rally stage. As fellow car enthusiasts we offer a bespoke service for your treasured road or trackday car.
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- Machining and Fabrication
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JDR offers in-house bespoke engineering solutions - design, development and manufacture thanks to our CNC machine shop and solid modelling capabilities.
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