After seven years of building road cars, the team at Bullet decided it was time to realise the goals of Reasearch and Development Director Tom Rabold and Managing Director Steve Marriott and build Bullet's first race car.

Prior to Christmas 2003 a chassis and body tub was allocated for race preparation, this decision ultimately lead to the complete re-design of our already well-proven road chassis.

Steve and Tom set their sights on Australia's newest and toughest race the Mount Panorama Bathurst 24 hour.  Tom competed in a Bathurst 1000 kilometre race in 1978 and knows from first hand experience how tough ten-tenths is on driver and car over 1000 kilometres.

For the benefit of our overseas visitors, Bathurst is 208 kilometres west of Sydney, the race track Mount Panorama is a closed public road of 6.2 kilometres, rising to an altitude of 807 meters with an exhilarating plunge down a twisty narrow drop of a 1 in 6 gradient to Conrod Straight where speeds of 300 kilometres per hour are the norm.  For 39 years it was the only race held at Mount Panorama, and for two days every October it galvanises Australia's automotive enthusiasts.  2002 and 2003 saw a second event the awesome Bathurst 24 hour race.

Safe competition with a view to success, ie. finish the race as opposed to D.N.F. required a complete revaluation of Bullet's strengths and weaknesses.  Steve and Tom drive their personal Bullets as they should be driven, (what's the point of having a fun car if you don't have fun) so they knew the engine, drive line and ancillaries would not let them down.  From a racing perspective the front suspension was going to be the only concern.  If it became a problem it would be going down the Dipper at ten-tenths where the last thing you want is grief on the way to the fastest part of the track.

To meet A.D.R. torsional rigidity test for chassis's, Bullet's chassis had to comply with 6,000 newton meters of force per degree of deflection.  Bullet actually achieved 12,300 newton meters of force per degree of deflection.  The suspension although compromised between cruising and out and out performance is also immensely strong, however it was deemed by Tom to be the only area of concern in a 24 hour race.

During a Bathurst 1000 you plunge down the Dipper approximately 160 times, in a 24 hour race, it is 660 times.  Safety at Bullet is paramount, and safety dictated the chassis re-design to facilitate the stronger front suspension.  The upshot of this is that when you order your new Bullet Roadster or SS Roadster, you can specify our well proven standard suspension, or the race breed Double A Arm suspension.

This research and development for the November 2004 Bathurst 24 hour was to no avail as the promoter advised in August that the race would not be held this year.  We were extremely disappointed not to get to the race.  On the bright side even if there is never another 24 hour at Bathurst, Bullet owners can all share in the results of the research and development for that great race.

The alternative major event to Bathurst in Australia is the Targa Tasmania, a five day tarmac rally commencing April 25 to 1st May 2005.  Apart from the Factory car we have two more eligible chassis's.  Should you wish to join us we suggest that you contact us NOW!  In fact, why not combine the delivery of your new Bullet with the opportunity to compete in, or view the Targa Tasmania first hand?

Speed on Tweed September 17 - 19, 2004, was the venue for Bullet Racing to unveil car number one and perform exhibition laps to the thunderous applause of the spectators.

Our inaugural competition shake-down will be at the Mount Buller Sprints January 21-23 2005, a closed public road covering 16 kilometres and climbing over 1,000 meters to the Mount Buller Alpine Village.  We will see you there!