Gigglepin Racing uses Bluestuff pads on its impressive off-road machine
The Gigglepin Racing team has been at the sharp end of various international off-road racing championships in recent years, being proudly supported by EBC Brakes throughout this time.
With multiple championships wins under their belt, the latest outing for the Kent-based team was to reclaim Ultra 4 Europe’s ‘King of Britain’ trophy that saw a four-year hiatus until re-emerging in 2026 (with Gigglepin winning the previous round in 2021).
As always, Gigglepin’s fearsome LS7 7-litre V8 powered ‘Bad Penny’ off-roader was proudly sporting EBC Brakes’ Bluestuff NDX pads all-round.
You can read how the weekend in the North of England unfolded in the team’s own words below…
“Unlimited four-wheel drive racing is a tough battleground, and Ultra 4 provides the best there is. King of Britain has been on a four-year sabbatical and it was a Cannonball Rally moment when dates were launched earlier this year, with crews desperately trying to get a place to this prestigious event. An event that Jim and the Crew at Gigglepin have won a previous three times, winning King of Britain 2021.
“But there was a problem the car they are racing often shows moments of brilliance followed by tragic failure. Could the team turn it round and get to the finish line and win a fourth King of Britain title? Amazing car, but can it finish?
“After mechanical issues at the first three rounds of the 2026 Ultra 4 European Championship, the team were determined to make amends. The car has tremendous potential, but always something spoils the party after promising starts. So, after many late nights, new ideas, new components installed and lots of testing, she was loaded and ready to make the four-hour journey North to West Yorkshire and the 2026 King of Britain.”
“The team and car arrived at Parkwood Off-Road Centre and unloaded the car which felt alive with her massive 7.4-litre LSX V8 purring, signalling she was ready for battle.
“Jim and James are old hands, having won countless titles between them. They carefully pre-ran the course by foot and in the race car, checking every line and planning for every eventuality.
“Then it was go-time on Day 1, a fast and furious prologue course was just what the team wanted and they lay down an incredible run with time that is eight seconds ahead of the chasing pack. What a start!
“On Day 2, the best Teams from across Europe lined up on the grid for the start of King of Britain 2026. The course had everything to test the teams with big rocks, gullies, rivers, steep climbs and technical wooded areas. It was real a drivers’ course and this team live for these moments.”
“Smooth is fast and the boys started first and finish first, keeping the other teams behind them, physically and on adjusted time.
“The afternoon session is a full two hours of chaos, but it’s a repeat of the first heat with the guys controlling the race from the front and building a one lap lead over the chasing pack.
“Day 2 is in the bag and its now down to the Team in the pits to make sure the car is ready for Day 3 and the final push!
“Day 3 arrived and there was a nervous tension in the Gigglepin camp. The weight of expectation hung in the air. But up step the ream, they are pros and Jim and James showed no signs of stress as they discussed the task ahead with their mechanical team.
“The day was going to be a tough one. A 1.5-hour session with a 45-minute break followed by a further two-hour session was a gruelling task that would test endurance, concentration and ability.
“It started well with the guys starting first and finishing first in another textbook display. Jim was driving with great care saving the tyres, while James was constantly checking live scoring so they could react fast to other teams who were now turning up the heat.
“After this first session it was a quick refuel and back to the pits for a fast check over and some food before lining up the final dance. Just two more hours separated the team from a fourth King of Britain title.”
“The final session had an added twist with all the classes racing for the final two hours on the same track. Now this is a plan the team did not like. We race in classes and it was clear that slower vehicles on track could lead to hold-ups and problems. But the plan remained the same; control the race from the front and the guys left the pits with high fives and big smiles as they made their way to the start.
“The boys power off the line knowing that a single mistake could undo the hours of hard work. But Jim was in inspired form and kept up a relentless pace, wearing down the chasing pack.
“Lap after lap, the boys found more and more retired cars on the side of track, testament to the brutality of this incredible endurance course.
“The minutes ticked by and still the guys pushed on building an incredible four-lap lead and then in the final moments of the race a front driveshaft fails!
“The near faultless car had finally succumbed to the course, but the guys had other ideas and were not about to quit. After removing the damaged driveshaft, they powered on to cross the line and to take the win at King of Britain 2026!
“It was high emotions for all the team as the weeks of hard work finally paid off. It’s great to see them back at the top and kings once again!”
Bluestuff Pads
A high-friction sport and race material that now has R90 approval on almost all fitments for the EU. Ideal for fast road, track day, club racing and drift applications.
