Zircotec renews support of Historic Road Sports Championship
Classic car drivers and owners participating in the HSCC Historic Road Sports Championship are set to benefit from further thermal management support from Zircotec as the company renews its sponsorship of the historic race series for the 2010 season. The company first supported the series in 2009, having become increasingly involved in providing coatings for historic road and race cars in recent years. Its plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings offer an effective solution to the traditional problems associated with overheating, such as poor reliability, heat damaged components and driver injury and discomfort.
“We received a strong response to our support of the series during the 2009 season, with many drivers appreciating our trackside help and advice, and are delighted to be renewing our sponsorship of the championship in 2010,” explains Terry Graham, managing director, Zircotec. “Our plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings help historic road cars to perform more consistently as they come under additional stress on track.”
Applied as a lightweight layer, Zircotec’s coatings are highly durable and offer robust protection for vital engine and electrical components. In particular, they can protect drivers from injury through exposure to high temperature surfaces and help to reduce in-cabin temperatures, allowing for a more comfortable driving experience.
“Zircotec’s team made a significant contribution to supporting the Historic Road Sports Championship in 2009 and we particularly appreciated their trackside presence,” comments Grahame White, chief executive, HSCC. “We’re very pleased to welcome them back for the 2010 season. Many of our participants are now using Zircotec’s coatings, and have been reporting a number of benefits.”
Among those who used the company’s coatings in the 2009 HSCC Historic Road Sports Championship were Holden Milano driver and past champion Mike Eagles and championship runner up Andrew Marler, who used a Zircotec coating on the exhaust manifold of his Lotus Elan. “The coating has provided a consistently effective means of lowering surface and water temperatures,” explains Marler. “The first time I drove the car after the coating had been applied it was a hot day, and I noticed that the water temperature was five degrees lower than usual. This was of great help in boosting the power output from the engine.”
Mike Eagles used a Zircotec plasma-sprayed ceramic coating on the exhaust system of his Holden Milano throughout the 2009 season, with significant improvements to reliability and performance. “The main benefit I’ve experienced is a dramatic reduction in heat under the bonnet and in the engine bay,” comments Eagles. “The carburettor and inlet manifold now run a lot cooler, which has increased the power output and reduced the cylinder head temperature. Additionally, I’ve noticed lower induction temperatures, which has also contributed to improving performance.”
Competitors in the 2010 series may be interested in Zircotec’s new ZircoFlex™ coating, which is believed to be the first ever flexible ceramic heat shield material. The new patent pending ZircoFlex product has been proven to reduce surface temperatures by up to 64 percent and offers a low cost solution to the thermal protection of engine and electrical components as well as bodywork. In particular, historic car owners may benefit from applying the coating to the footwell area or bulkhead to prevent heat transfer from the engine, or to cover the transmission tunnel, which can become uncomfortable in some cars. ZircoFlex is supplied in a roll, and is easy to apply using mechanical fasteners or high temperature adhesives.
The company is keen to offer support and advice to all HSCC competitors and guests, with many of its employees visiting the races to understand competitors’ needs. “Zircotec is present at all of the races,” says Graham. “There we can offer advice, quotations and support to all competitors. This season, we plan to bring products such as ZircoFlex to the track to help drivers solve heat issues immediately. We look forward to assisting in what looks set to be another highly competitive season.” For further information about Zircotec or to make an enquiry about a coating, visit zircotec.com.