The BAC Mono R doesn't necessarily look like a hypercar-beater at first sight but looks can often be deceptive. Which is why the compact single-seater, which bears more than a passing resemblance to a Formula 1 car, is now the holder of the fastest time around the Red Bull Ring circuit in Austria, following the latest Pirelli P Zero Experience.
A RECORD TIME OF 1M32.96S
Built more like a racing car than a road-going supercar, the BAC Mono R reaches 274kph and accelerates from 0 to 96kph in an eye-popping 2.5 seconds. During the most recent Pirelli Zero Experience – Pirelli's exclusive track day – it also conquered the Red Bull Ring: setting a new production car record in the hands of British driver Adam Christodoulou (who also fronted Pirelli's social media coverage of the Spa 24 Hours this year). His fastest lap was a 1m32.96s time, at an average speed of 196 kph. That beat the previous record of 1m38.95s, set by a Ferrari LaFerrari.
THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS? LIGHTNESS AND PIRELLI TYRES
So, what makes a car capable of breaking the lap record at the Red Bull Ring? It's not just one thing. The BAC Mono R certainly doesn't have the sort of outright power of a hypercar, with just 347 horsepower under the bonnet, but the real gains are to be found elsewhere. The power to weight ratio of the BAC Mono R plays a big part in its overall speed, with the feather weight of the English single-seater much lower than that of the LaFerrari, at just 555kg.
It's all very well having the power and the lightness, but without grip for the corners, it's impossible to achieve the sort of lap time required to topple the Ferrari. Which is where the Pirelli's P Zero Trofeo R tyres come in. The Trofeo R is a motorsport tyre approved for road use, which made it possible to deliver all the required grip and allow every single bit of horsepower do its job on the track.
THE R: A NEW GENERATION OF BAC MONO
Briggs Automotive Company (which is what BAC stands for) has produced just 30 Mono R cars from its Liverpool factory, ensuring that the latest model is not only fast, but highly exclusive as well. The Mono R reaches new performance targets, giving customers a unique driving experience. Certain aspects of the car have also been enhanced compared to the ‘standard' version, including a redesigned body with over 40 components made out of carbon fibre for the first time, reinforced with graphene. It's also lighter and lower than its predecessor. With the BAC Mono R no world record is safe, which will be the next one to fall?
