BR Engineering, the race car constructor established by Russia-based SMP Racing owner Boris Rotenberg, has released details of a new sports prototype, the BR03. Developed specifically for the Russian market, the single-seater is the third car from BR, after the BR01 LMP2 (penned and developed by former Peugeot designer Paolo Catone) and the BR02 LMP1 machine.
According to the company, the car has been designed by an all-Russian engineering team along with university students. “Having created several successful cars that have brilliantly shown themselves in the World Championships and European Endurance Racing Championships, we decided to create a completely Russian racing car for performance in national championships, adapted to Russian conditions,” explained Rotenberg.
The car is designed as a relatively low-cost option for Russian racers (though no price has yet been revealed). From a safety perspective, BR says it is on a par with LMP3 and has been homologated by the Russian Automobile Federation for national competition. “One of the key characteristics of the BR03 sports prototype is reliability,” noted chief designer Alexei Manzhulo. “It was made taking into account the experience we already have. In addition, the car is maximally adapted for Russian weather conditions and Russian highways. I would also like to note the availability and maintainability of the car. We managed to find a good balance between the value of the car and its qualities. The machine is quite simple and inexpensive to maintain and repair, but at the same time it has excellent technical characteristics, reliability and safety.”
The powertrain is based around a naturally aspirated Renault V6, which BR says it has developed in-house for racing, mated to a Sadev 6-speed sequential transmission. With a dry weight of 850kg and 420bhp on tap, SMP Racing team principal, Mikhail Aleshin, is confident the BR03 will be the fastest Russian-built race car to date. “This will certainly be appreciated by the participants and the audience. This year we plan to take part in at least two races in the existing Russian championships. Pilots of the SMP Racing program will drive the car. This will continue to collect the data needed to improve the BR03,” he explained.
Technical specification
- Chassis: BR Engineering BR03
- Engine: BR Engineering developed Renault, naturally aspirated, 3.5 liter V6, power 420hp, maximum revs 8,250
- Transmission: 6-speed, sequential Sadev gearbox. Paddle shifters
- Clutch: AP Racing, twin disc, ceramic
- Weight: 850kg without driver and process fluids
- Length: 4,926mm
- Width: 2,000mm
- Height: 1,200mm
- Wheelbase: 2,800mm
- Track gauge (front): 1,686mm
- Track gauge (rear): 1,661mm
- Speed: about 310km/h.
