RESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE USE
The jolly green giant-killer!
A SMALL British car manufacturer is giving big-name sportscars a run for their money on Castle Combe racing circuit.
The Marlin 5EXi (the ‘Sexi’ to its friends) finished fourth in class first time out in the circuit’s Special GT Championship – behind three Ferrari 360s.
Driven by Mark Matthews, boss of Devon-based Marlin Cars, the mid-engined sportscar finished in front of a Porsche 911, a Toyota MR2 and a very modified Mazda RX7.
But it’s those Ferraris he really wants to beat.
“We came straight to the Special GT Championship from another racing series that didn’t allow turbochargers or slick tyres,” said Mark. “We were only four seconds
behind the Ferraris. The slicks should give us two seconds and the turbo should make the difference!”
Marlin are racing two bright green 5EXis in the Castle Combe series, the second car shared by London-based Bosnians Dylan Popovic and Adis Tiric under Marlin’s motorsport leasing scheme.
“Racing is the perfect proving ground for us,” says Mark. “After a season racing Honda Civic-based cars we have now introduced our Honda-based road version.
“We have also developed a new, improved, suspension system, available as a retro-fit kit, as a direct result of our racing experiences.”
It was this development process that led to Marlin moving to the Castle Combe Special GT Championship.
“We raced in a 750 Motor Club series for a number of years,” Mark explained, “butwe decided to move on because of their insistence on carburettors rather than fuel injection.
“We looked for a race series where we could run engines more akin to our road cars and found this exciting and growing Special GT Championship.
“It’s a real bonus that it’s at Castle Combe, one of the most exciting circuits in the country - and definitely the most friendly.”
Marlin’s 5EXi starts at £19,999, and a part-built U-Complete version is available for those who want to add their own finishing touches – and save up to £6,000. Race
packages are also available at very competitive prices.
ENDS
For more information on this press release contact:
Terry Matthews on 01363 773772 or email terry@marlinsportcars.co.uk
5EXi at a glance...
- A range of engine options to suit different tastes
- Designed with both road and track use in mind
- Surprisingly practical (wide opening doors and full weather gear available)
- Extraordinary 351bhp/tonne with latest Type R engine
- Competitively priced
COMPANY BACKGROUND
The first Marlin sports car was launched in 1979, and to this date over 4000 cars and kits have been sold. Marlin operates from purpose built premises in Crediton, Devon, where it makes all chassis and suspension components, as well as assembling turnkey cars, supplying kit packages and servicing existing cars. Marlin currently produces two different models, the mid-engined 5EXi and front-engined traditionally styled Sportster. __________________________________________________________________
Marlin Cars Ltd, Mill Street Crediton Devon EX17 1EZ. Tel: 01363 773 772 Fax: 01363 773 338
www.marlinsportscars.co.uk / sales@marlincars.co.uk