Established in 1985, Connaught Competition Engines first built its reputation in Formula Ford but has since become one of Britain’s foremost engine builders over a wide range of motorsport disciplines from Historic F1 to Hot Rods. Since acquiring Warrior Automotive developments in 2003, the company has owned the sole manufacturing rights to the Ford Pinto-based 16v twin cam engine which is rallied successfully across Europe and has powered Irish Hillclimb winners for a number of years, including current champion Simon McKinley.
Connaught is also prominent in Historic racing, building a wide range of engines for historic sports cars and single seaters. A major customer is Classic Team Lotus, for whom Connaught builds F1 engines ranging from Cosworth DFVs (driven in retro events by drivers such as Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi) to Lamborghini V12s.
Connaught engines have also powered Classic Clubmans champion Peter Harper’s Mallock to the title on several occasions. Sprinting and hillclimbing successes are numerous too, with Connaught Judd V8 power contributing to six British Sprint titles while Chris Ward’s Cosworth BDG powered Mallock Mk18 remains the fastest front engined, normally aspirated car ever to climb the historic Shelsley Walsh hillclimb.
