If you’d said to anyone at British Leyland Motorsport in the 80’s that the epitome of Japanese engines would power one of their most iconic cars they’d likely have grabbed their anorak and scoffed as they left the room.
But for Ballymena man, Philip McLaughlin, this obscure idea has become a reality!
The best part of it for me, is that this ‘Nissan Metro’ will be used in anger by the 54-year-old who has recently found his way into the sport of rallycross. A sporting discipline that the Metro 6R4 has excelled in for decades at the hands of Dromore’s Denis Biggerstaff, and Britain’s Will Gollop.
Philip, who is an owner at N&P Tyres in Co. Antrim, picks up the story, “My motorsport adventure started in 2017 believe it or not, when a friend of mine, Gabriel Delargy, asked me to navigate for him. He was stuck for a navigator and I’d never done anything like that before, but I was always mad keen to give it a try.
“So when I got a chance, I took it. And needless to say that, having watched it all my life, I never thought I would get to do it. But what a chance. And then once you try it, you’re hooked!”
McLaughlin explains his recent switch to the driver’s seat, “So initially we found the car. It was sort of half built. But whenever we’d bought it and brought it home, we discovered that maybe it wasn’t the build we thought it was. So, basically, we went round the whole inside of the car with a plasma cutter, cut everything out, and started from scratch.
“We were unsure where we were going with it, more just kind of developing the car as we went along. I wasn’t 100% sure what discipline we’d end up in, I just knew I bought myself a 6R4 replica. A car that, since I was probably fourteen, have always wanted to own and I never thought or dreamt that I would get anything close to it.
“I had been away to the rallycross with Jimmy McVicker and the Crockett’s a few times. The RXNI team were brilliant. Very welcoming in, and so it was very easy to become involved with them, and that end of motorsport. Then I progressed into thinking that I should maybe be building the Metro into a rallycross series.”
Not technically a 6R4 – the roof, doors, floor-pan and bulkhead are as Austin designed and intended. But the front and rear of this Metro are space-framed in a way to suit the needs of the intended use, rather than be something it isn’t.
All other body panels are fibreglass replica’s of the GrpB rallying icon that rose to prominence in the 1980’s, and still to this day turns heads. Back then, the works cars featured a 6-cylinder engine behind the driver’s seat and four-wheel-drive, hence 6R4. But as Philip’s car is rear-wheel-drive, this is the second reason it’s not technically a 6R4.
Aside from this fact, it is running an engine that British engineering could only ever dream of. Built by one of five specially trained mechanics called “Takumi Craftsmen” on a special line at Nissan’s Yokohama plant, the VR38DETT fitted to the back of this Metro is a remarkable adoption.
The 3.8-litre, V6, twin-turbo petrol engine provides more power out of the box than most would ever need. It is a somewhat affordable solution for a car who’s genuine engines will be, by now, hens teeth and financially unsuitable. Yet keeps the soul and sound very close to what British Leyland intended many years ago.
“The idea behind the engine is thanks to Mark McDonnell, from MMD Autotech in Rathkenny.” Philip explains. “He was the guy that came up with the engine plan and he rang me one evening and told me he’d found me an engine.
“After asking what it was, and agreeing, there was some back and forth between the seller who was 50 miles north of London. A deal was soon agreed which saw us head over in the van to collect the Metro’s new engine.”
Coming as a complete unit with turbos and all that was required, the rallycross cars new heart was treated only to uprated injectors, a custom wiring harness designed by Mark, and a link ECU system which was then tuned by Richard Bradley, of Bradley Motorworks in Dungannon.
Weighing in at around 1,100kg this Metro is no slouch given the Nissan engine produces in excess of 530bhp at present. Three predefined tunes are planned once it’s been run-in, which will see the options of 480bhp, 550bhp, and 650hb – switchable depending on surface conditions.
Power is put to the rear wheels via a 5-speed Beckert Technology sequential gearbox. Beckert have worked very closely with Philip and the team on the build to make sure everything is strong enough. And if they ever decide to, it can be converted to four-wheel-drive easily.
Running in the Super Modified category of rallycross, anything go’s in regards to the cars, but they must strictly run two-wheel-drive only.
Jimmy McVicker is to thank for all of the chassis and subframe work. Philip’s employee, Mark Greer, takes charge when it comes to suspension and geometry setup. Mark McDonnell worked his magic with a wiring harness to connect the engine to the cockpit via the ECU. Whilst Davy and Alan Crockett are to thank for continued craic and friendship, as well as providing a beautiful backdrop for my imagery.
A couple of weeks after capturing this feature, Philip headed to Mondello Park in Dublin to compete for the first time and it was an expected but fun learning curve.
“Mondello went OK.” Stated Philip. “Friday’s practice was a bit of a disaster as the car was all over the place. A few changes on Friday night, including different springs, helped Saturday’s effort.
“We stiffened up the suspension on Saturday night, and with different tyres on Sunday, got a 3rd in one heat, so I was very pleased with that.
“Unfortunately I got a bit over excited in the semi round, I caught the gravel on the side of the track and clipped a Mini. Bending the front arm and ending my day. But all in all a really good weekend.”
