Race Support and Competition Preparation
Grand Prix Lites provides comprehensive Motorsport Racing Services, Engine Hire and Repair. We provide race-engineering support and competition preparation for all types of race car: single seater all levels, sports car and saloon.
GPLites have experience of many different categories and classes of racing and are able to work on cars from all eras. Services are provided nationwide, track side and at home with always the option of emergency support. Don't allow a blown engine or gearbox to ruin your race weekend without first speaking to Grand Prix Lites, with help for newcomers with seemingly difficult or unknown car problems.
GPLites have experience of many different categories and classes of racing and are able to work on cars from all eras. Services are provided nationwide, track side and at home with always the option of emergency support. Don't allow a blown engine or gearbox to ruin your race weekend without first speaking to Grand Prix Lites, with help for newcomers with seemingly difficult or unknown car problems.
40 years in Automotive and Motorsport Engineering
John and Robin have years of expertise in single seater and sports car racing, working with some of the most prestigious names in motor sport, including Audi, Jaguar and Nissan. Winning at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003 with Bentley is just one of their career highlights.
Emergency Help & Track Side Support
Grand Prix Lites provide a fully equipped mobile support workshop at popular race events, such as saloon, sports car and Formula Ford meetings. This provides spare engines, gearboxes, and other major mechanical components which are available for sale or hire, also including facilities to help you perform any sort of track side maintenance.
It is also possible for GPLites to help in these sorts of emergency situations with full UK support coverage. Please get in touch, no matter the location.
It is also possible for GPLites to help in these sorts of emergency situations with full UK support coverage. Please get in touch, no matter the location.
Our Motorsport Services
Engine Preparation
Need help with Engine Hire and Repair? We've got you covered as part of our many Motorsport services.
Engines meticulously prepared in house to optimise its performance and efficiency to suit the vehicle and it's driver. Specialising in Ford Precrossflow, Crossflow, Twin cam, Sports 2000, Coventry Climax, BMW, BMC Mini A series, 970, 1071 and 1275 derivatives, Cosworth and Renault. Latest spec Formula Ford 1600 engines available for rental, we also offer a service exchange latest spec FF1600 block assembly for immediate delivery. Engines collected and delivered nationwide.
Engines meticulously prepared in house to optimise its performance and efficiency to suit the vehicle and it's driver. Specialising in Ford Precrossflow, Crossflow, Twin cam, Sports 2000, Coventry Climax, BMW, BMC Mini A series, 970, 1071 and 1275 derivatives, Cosworth and Renault. Latest spec Formula Ford 1600 engines available for rental, we also offer a service exchange latest spec FF1600 block assembly for immediate delivery. Engines collected and delivered nationwide.
Single Seater & Sports Car Specialist
We have spent many years running a championship winning single seater of our own in a national championship, which has been a good medium to display and prove our technical ability. We would like to have the opportunity to achieve this with you and your car.
Talk to us about our Motorsport Racing Services, Engine Hire and Repair by contacting us today.
Talk to us about our Motorsport Racing Services, Engine Hire and Repair by contacting us today.
Race & Competition Preparation
Complete restoration service for classic race or road vehicle for competition use. Attendance at test days always available.
Chassis & Suspension Tuning
All aspects of chassis and suspension settings undertaken to conform with your own requirement of use. Optimising the handling of your car, and always prepared to attend test days to help and advise.
Transmission Rebuild or Repair
All types of race vehicle transmissions refurbished with your preferred gear ratios and final drive.
Consultations & Advice
We can offer good practical advice, based on years of experience that will give you an easy route to follow, to achieve optimum performance and reliability in a cost effective manner. Just call and ask.
Meet the Team
John Hoad
After college John served an engineering apprenticeship with Ford, and then joined the Downton Engineering Works Ltd as an engine builder, working alongside the Cooper Company, and many production development projects with the competition range of BMC vehicles until there closure.
John then took an engineering position with BMC Special Tuning supporting the competition department. Following this came a position with Keywest Developments developing the Gorden Keeble car, and a period then with Laystall race engineering. John then spent a long period as a systems engineer in motor sport, which led to 15 years supporting a successful project with the Duckhams Van Dieman ex works Formula Ford car.
In his spare time, John is a family man, along with his two Border Collies, and is a Flying instructor, both single and multi, and enjoys motor sport at all levels.
John then took an engineering position with BMC Special Tuning supporting the competition department. Following this came a position with Keywest Developments developing the Gorden Keeble car, and a period then with Laystall race engineering. John then spent a long period as a systems engineer in motor sport, which led to 15 years supporting a successful project with the Duckhams Van Dieman ex works Formula Ford car.
In his spare time, John is a family man, along with his two Border Collies, and is a Flying instructor, both single and multi, and enjoys motor sport at all levels.
Robin Rich
Robin started his career as an apprentice with British Leyland which included many manufacturers such as Jaguar, Daimler, BMC, Triumph, Riley, to name a few. During this time he was also helping some of the staff with their club rally cars. This was the start of Robin's love for motor sport.
Following this, Robin had the opportunity to work for Hawke Racing cars in Southend, building single seat race cars, and racing support at weekends for drivers like Tiff Needell, Rupert Kegan and Derek Daly, leading to winning a few championships that year.
Since 1976, he has worked for teams such as Janspeed with works Nissan, Audi Sport UK in BTCC and Le-mans, Team Bentley, Benneton F1, as well as championships like Sports 2000, British GT, Wold Rally, World Endurance Championship, Ford 1600 and Ford 2000.
Robin has also spent time with prestigious manufacturers, working with McLaren Automotive as prototype build technician, Porsche Cars GB for 7 years and was factory trained spending sometime in Stuttgart and adjoining departments to again knowledge of all models current and under development, production and high performance.
In his spare time, Robin enjoys Motorsport, Swimming, Skiing, Horse Riding, Flying (PPL with instrument and night rating qualified), gliding, taking part in charity parachute jumps and restoring vintage aircraft.
Following this, Robin had the opportunity to work for Hawke Racing cars in Southend, building single seat race cars, and racing support at weekends for drivers like Tiff Needell, Rupert Kegan and Derek Daly, leading to winning a few championships that year.
Since 1976, he has worked for teams such as Janspeed with works Nissan, Audi Sport UK in BTCC and Le-mans, Team Bentley, Benneton F1, as well as championships like Sports 2000, British GT, Wold Rally, World Endurance Championship, Ford 1600 and Ford 2000.
Robin has also spent time with prestigious manufacturers, working with McLaren Automotive as prototype build technician, Porsche Cars GB for 7 years and was factory trained spending sometime in Stuttgart and adjoining departments to again knowledge of all models current and under development, production and high performance.
In his spare time, Robin enjoys Motorsport, Swimming, Skiing, Horse Riding, Flying (PPL with instrument and night rating qualified), gliding, taking part in charity parachute jumps and restoring vintage aircraft.