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The LRM-1 draws from the knowledge gained over 30 years of cross country racing. In parts of the world beyond the U.S. borders, rally racing is easily one of the most popular forms of automotive motorsport. Event organizers bring dirt and pavement together and use precision built spec- and modified-class vehicles designed to eat up predetermined courses consisting of private and public roads.
One of the top rally car builders, Milner Off Road Racing of Derbyshire, U.K., recently unveiled their LRM-1 Off Road Race Car. The LRM-1 is a 4/5-scale version of a standard production Range Rover Evoque.
Builder Peter Spriggs states on his website, www.Firebird-Design.net, that “he and Dale Grewer worked with the Milner Racing team to develop the exterior body style. Initially we set about simply taking the Evoque and shrink wrapping it to Milner’s R5 chassis.” says Spriggs.
“Several roadblocks stopped us from pursuing that route and we decided it was much easier to redesign the entire body while keeping it as close to the Evoque shape as possible,” Spriggs continued. Every panel of the vehicle body was made to resemble the OE Range Rover sheet metal, but is just slightly different to fit the smaller chassis. Width and height are approximately 100 mm shorter and overall length is around 500 mm shorter.
The nearly exact replica of the Range Rover Evoque body is astonishing to say the least. The Land Rover 5.0L V8 cranks out 550 brake wheel horsepower. Photos provided by Milner Off Road Racing.
The race car utilizes a tubular chassis with an independent suspension and adjustable coil-over shocks using reservoirs at all four corners. A culmination of two years of testing, the LRM-1 uses the top technology available in motorsports today. The mill powering this rear engine beast is the latest Land Rover 5.0L V8 that has been supercharged; cranking out an impressive 550 brake wheel horsepower.
Milner's existing R5 tubular race chassis was redesigned to fit within the new Evoque exterior. The car is outfitted with 4 Wheel independent suspension and is all wheel drive to handle any terrain it is thrown on. Photos provided by Milner Off Road Racing.
A six-speed transmission spins a Milner transfer case driving Milner-built differentials front and rear. The Evoque skin is built from a composite material with a colored gel coat. The single-piece front and rear sections make servicing chassis and suspension components much easier than the Land Rover sheet metal would.
The Milner LRM-1 is available in turnkey and rolling chassis form. All you need to do is head across the pond to get your hands on one. Photo provided by Firebird Design.
Love it so much you want your own? No problem. Milner builds race cars in turn-key and rolling chassis form. Milner Off Road Racing also offers a couple other vehicles, the R5 and R5 Clubman. For more information, visit www.milneroffroadracing.co.uk.
