Nash Motorsport is making racing accessible

In circuit racing terms, value for money is a subjective matter.

Very wealthy people might measure a race car’s performance against its cost, thus deciding whether a Lamborghini Gallardo makes more sense than a Ferrari F430 or a Porsche 997 GT3 in G&H Transport Extreme Supercar events.

Less wealthy people tend to measure a race car’s value in the seat time it offers versus the money spent on it. This makes sense, since seat time is when all is said and done, the most precious element in motorsport. After buying the car and a trailer, establishing a workshop, getting a competition licence, working on the car and entering for races, your real reward comes in the form of breathlessly exhilarating time spent blasting around race circuits.

That is where the Nash Motorsport company in North Riding, Johannesburg comes into the picture.

They produce what may very well be the best value for money versus seat time vehicle in South African circuit racing. Their Nash MVW3 Sports Racing car costs R297 900 including VAT and is specifically designed to compete in both sprint and long-distance races. Thus far, they have sold a round dozen of the vehicles, all of which are being driven in National Sports Car Championship sprint races, plus the country’s only Endurance race title chase. The company is now in the process of manufacturing another ten cars.

Briefly, the Nash MVW3’s specifications are as follows: – The chassis is a tubular steel spaceframe construction with double-wishbone suspension plus inboard mounted front and rear shock absorbers. The spaceframe has an integral rollcage, side-impact bars, and a front impact-absorption structure.

Brake and steering systems are primarily VW Golf components. The wheels are 13-inch by seven inch alloy rims in durable semi-slick performance tyres. – The bodywork is an aerodynamic five-piece open-cockpit design with a high-quality gel coat finish.

It is fitted with two seats and six-point race harnesses, plus an adjustable pedal box and steering column. Essential driver information is delivered via a digital dash incorporating shift lights, predictive lap timing and data logging.

– Power comes from a four-cylinder, two-litre, eight-valve Volkswagen engine with a fivespeed manual gearbox. Both units are fully reconditioned and upgraded in-house with a performance camshaft, lightened flywheel, and custom engine control unit.

The powerplant and gearbox are mounted transversely at the rear of the car with drive direct to the rear wheels. Engine parameters are checked and certified prior to delivery. With an overall dry weight of around 530kg, even the lightly modified engine delivers exhilarating performance without compromising reliability.

The car’s low mass also ensures nimble, responsive, handling while the aerodynamic design adds to overall grip and cornering prowess. The cars all sport a 70-litre fuel tank, with an eye on endurance events.

The 2019 cars will also feature a number of upgrades over the earlier examples, including chassis enhancements, an AIM dash module incorporating performance analysis and predictive lap timing, second generation engine management, and a higher specification carbon-fibre rear wing.

– People not yet ready to buy and own a race car can avail themselves of Nash Motorsport’s arrive-and-drive packages at either sprint or endurance race events. The company also organises dedicated track days where anyone, by prior arrangement, can experience the thrills of an authentic sports racing car by way of a focussed test drive or a tailored circuit driving tuition package.

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