NAA Member News: Klarius Products – Supporting grassroots motorsport: Now and forever
For decades, Klarius has supported countless motorsport disciplines across the UK by designing and manufacturing high-quality emissions control components that help racing teams achieve success.
Now, its commitment is extending beyond the realm of professional motorsport as the business provides material and technical support to university racing teams, fostering the next generation of engineers and racing enthusiasts.
Building a legacy
Klarius has a rich history of involvement in grassroots motorsport, especially in spec racing series where competitors use identical vehicles. This means the exhaust systems are subject to strict regulations, and Klarius’ engineering expertise ensures that each system we produce is compliant, reliable, and performance-enhancing. Having a large manufacturing facility allows the aftermarket emissions control component manufacturer to cater to these bespoke needs while continuing to meet the high demand for road car exhausts.
Over the years, Klarius has supplied custom exhaust systems to the BMW Compact Cup, the 116 Trophy, and other racing championships – ensuring that every car on the grid meets the required specifications and delivers top performance on track.
Formula Student and university teams
Klarius has also extended its motorsport expertise to university teams, such as the Staffordshire University Student Race Team, as part of its ongoing support for grassroots motorsport. Formula Student, a highly respected engineering competition, is an ideal platform for students to gain hands-on experience in designing and building race cars. In 2023, Staffordshire Uni Racing achieved a remarkable podium finish, aided by a custom exhaust system provided by Klarius.
Designed by Jayson Prince, a former team member and now a Project Engineer at Klarius, the exhaust system was specifically created to improve performance. The custom solution allowed the team to lower the car’s centre of gravity by adopting a side-mounted radiator design, ultimately enhancing handling and reliability. The exhaust was built in time for testing, giving the team a competitive edge at Silverstone.
Looking ahead, Klarius continues this support by working closely with students, including both the Leicestershire University and Staffordshire University student race teams. These partnerships allow us to not only contribute to the team’s success but also to provide valuable real-world experience to budding engineers who share our passion for motorsport.
An ongoing passion
Beyond our involvement with university teams, Klarius’ passion for motorsport is evident in our support for various racing series and private projects. The business recently sponsored NAPA Racing in the 2024 BTCC, showing active support in a prestigious racing series. Whether it’s providing exhausts for classic cars or creating entirely custom designs for race cars, Klarius brings the same level of dedication and expertise to every project.
Doug Bentley, Head of Product Development at Klarius, said: “We love motorsport, and we love engineering. It’s as simple as that. Our involvement with grassroots motorsport is more than just providing exhausts – it’s about inspiring future engineers and helping to nurture the next generation of talent.”
Looking to the future, Klarius will continue to take opportunities to provide support for grassroots motorsport, using its expertise to produce high-quality exhaust systems that help teams perform at their best. Whether through supporting university teams or contributing to professional racing series, Klarius remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport.
