ABOUT MARLIN MOTORSPORT

Our racing roots
If you’ve ever driven one of our cars, you’ll know that it was inevitable they would find their way into motorsport.
The original Marlins, born of very humble beginnings in Plymouth almost 30 years ago, were successful in trialing.
But it was in the early Nineties, when the company was relaunched by Mark and Terry Matthews, that Marlin moved into a whole different league with the Sportster, an aggressive sportscar that captured the essence of the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive driving experience.
After racing in sprints and hillclimbs, with Marlin’s own Mark Matthews at the wheel, the company entered the 750 Motor Club’s Kit Car racing series, where the Sportster frequently showed the way to far more expensive machinery.
Marlin soon recognised the enormous potential of motorsport, in terms of car development, brand promotion – and, of course, the sheer fun and exhilaration!

Green giant-killers
Soon after the launch of the 5EXi, Mark was racing a Rover-engined car in the 750MC series, but with the introduction of the Honda-based version, Mark joined the big boys, racing a bright green 5EXi against Porsches and Ferraris in the Castle Combe GT Championship. Now the Marlin race team are using the ever exciting Volkswagen 2.0 Valve turbo engine assembly, proving that Marlin never stands still in it's quest for obtaining pole position.

This season both Mark and Dylan Popovic have been joined by Heath Freeman in another 5EXi, built, prepared and supported by the factory under the Marlin Race Support Package, which means both Dylan & Heath can just turn up at the circuit, race, and go homeagain with no worries other than to have fun. We look after everything else!

You can find a full account of Dylan’s adventures from 2007 (2009 will be reported on at the end of the season) in motor sport elsewhere on this site.
So, whether you want to use your Marlin for the occasional trackday, or you want a full-on race-prepared car, for any form of motorsport, Marlin can provide all the help and support you need.
Get in touch to find out more.