If you were to think of a vehicle to turn into a racing car, the SsangYong Musso pickup truck is almost certainly not going to be the first thing that springs to mind.
Yet your eyes are not deceiving you – there’s not just one Musso racing pickup in the pictures here, but a whole grid of them, as SsangYong Motors UK has decided a one-make racing series is the perfect way to promote its compact one-tonne truck.
New pickups coming soon – on Parkers Vans
How do you turn a SsangYong Musso into a racing pickup?
With surprisingly few modifications, as it turns out.
The SsangYong Musso Pickup Racing Challenge – as the series is officially called – uses the standard road-going 2.2-litre diesel engine and drivetrain. That’s good for 178hp and 400Nm of torque.
Race car modifications to the Musso are limited to safety equipment – including a roll cage – plus racing shock-absorbers developed by British firm Proflex and a controlled set of Speedline Corse wheels and Avon tyres.
The idea is to provide closely fought racing in basically identical pickups. And judging by what we’ve heard about the number of replacement panels needed after the first three rounds of the championship, that’s certainly what SsangYong’s got.
Too close, some might say…
Where can I watch the SsangYong racing pickups?
The 2017 season kicked off at Snetterton on the 13-14 May, with the next series of three races taking place at Silverstone on 3-4 June.
Here’s the full SsangYong Musso Pickup Racing Challenge 2017 calendar:
- Round 1, 13-14 May – Snetterton (three races)
- Round 2, 3-4 June – Silverstone (three races)
- Round 3, 8-9 July – Knockhill (three races)
- Round 4, 29 July – Oulton Park (two races)
- Round 5, 30 September – Cadwell Park (two races)
- Round 6, 28-29 October – Brands Hatch (three races)
How much does a SsangYong Musso racing pickup cost?
We’re told it’s £35,000, including a season’s racing and the necessary support – which in motorsport terms is a bit of a bargain.
Just remember to budget plenty of extra for replacement panels, as those are not included in the asking price as standard!
An ordinary Musso pickup costs from £16,395 (excluding VAT).
Why has SsangYong started a Musso pickup racing series?
‘As a relatively new brand in the UK, we like to be different and try new initiatives,’ said SsangYong Motor UK CEO, Paul Williams.
‘Pickups aren’t noted for their ability on a race track, but we had seen the success enjoyed in New Zealand [where they’ve been racing SsangYong pickups for years, so though we’d give it a go.’
Best of luck to them – and the ambitious drivers taking part in the championship.
Also read:
SsangYong Musso – the full review on Parkers Vans
