Roger Clark Motorsport: From Early Beginnings to Motorsport Excellence

During our recent visit to Roger Clark Motorsport, we had the pleasure of speaking with Directors Matt and Olly Clark. In this feature, Olly tells us more about the history, future, and remarkable success of the business.

The RCM Power Parts range is built on a deep motorsport heritage spanning six decades of competition at the highest level. Their engineering solutions are driven by a desire to succeed and the Passion to Win. The Gobstopper Race program gives them the perfect test bed for all their products, allowing parts to be rigorously tested and proven before being made available to the Subaru owner.

Who better to find out more about RCM's success than Olly Clark himself:

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the automotive world, it was almost inevitable that my brother Matt and I would find ourselves immersed in cars. Our father, a renowned figure in motorsport, instilled in us a love for cars that has shaped our lives and careers. We are true petrolheads, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have turned our passion into a thriving business.

Matt’s journey began with automotive training during his early schooling, earning diplomas along the way. However, he is largely self-taught, believing that traditional schooling wasn’t essential for him. His relentless pursuit of perfection and focus on excellence have been key to our success. Matt’s creativity and collaboration with top partners have resulted in some of the most innovative car designs over the years. He’s incredibly focused and driven, I always say he’s ruthless in perfection.

After leaving college early, Matt started building and servicing cars while also participating in rallying, a passion we both shared. Our involvement with rallying led us to the Subaru Impreza in 1992, a 2-litre, 4-wheel drive car that caught our attention. Our soon to become close relationship with Prodrive and their Group N cars marked the beginning of our tuning journey, where we learned to build, run, and understand these vehicles. This was the foundation of our company.

As the Subaru Impreza gained popularity as a road car, we began importing them to meet customer demand. People wanted not just servicing but also enhancements like more power, noise, bigger brakes, and new styling. The power levels of these cars would gradually increase from 200bhp to then around 600bhp for a particular customer presenting specific requirements, with some customers even exploring nitrous to push the limits further. We went on to build a company demo car to showcase what 500-600bhp felt like on the road, this was called the 'Gobstopper'; a 1999 Impreza STI that would later set the scene for the two more Gobstopper generations to come.

We entered the Time Attack series, a format similar to Formula One qualifying, where competitors race against the clock. This pushed us to innovate and develop new ways to go faster. Initially focused on power to over 950bhp, we later delved into aerodynamics, downforce, and grip, which would later come from the creation of Gobstopper 2 (GS2). Gobstopper 3 (GS3) is the pinnacle of our 32 years of experience, integrating advanced aerodynamics, powerful brakes, and a high-performance engine to create a car that is both balanced and competitive. The vehicle captures the essence of our company, showcasing our dedication to innovation and excellence in automotive engineering. Visitors of RCM HQ are often drawn to the original Gobstopper, a wide-body, 2-door car with a rich history tied to Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

Our first encounter with Alcon products was through Prodrive’s brake kit in 1998. When Prodrive discontinued the product, we reintroduced it to the market, and it remains exclusive to us. The enduring demand for Alcon products speaks volumes about their quality even 25 years on, and shows what it means to people.

One of our proudest moments was being invited to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2015 with GS2. Despite not having done a Hillclimb before with the car and being unfamiliar with the competition/format, we came out victorious in the shootout. We returned in 2016 to repeat our success, coming away victorious. Our ultimate goal is to return for a third time with GS3. The Pikes Peak International Hillclimb is also on our bucket list.

About five years ago, we began actively promoting the Alcon brand, including more recently their latest Pedal Boxes. All three Gobstoppers now feature Alcon kits, which are renowned for their performance and reliability. We also use an Alcon clutch in GS3, which offers exceptional usability and performance. The fact I can drive it around a paddock like it's a shopping car is incredible, the feel and bite on a launch is fantastic. Even at the speeds we're doing at the biggest tracks in the UK, the brakes aren't even on my radar, I have such peace at mind that I can barrel into a corner at high speeds.

We have set Time Attack lap records at major UK tracks recently in GS3, including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Donington, and Mallory Park. My son Archie is following in our footsteps; he is an Alcon brand ambassador currently competing in the Ginetta Junior Cup and making us proud. Our family business, built on 30 years of collaboration between Matt and me, continues to thrive.

The business as we know it today has grown to become one of the largest Subaru performance parts suppliers on the planet, however our work also includes customisation on customer cars, road cars, and restoration work for now historic vehicles . The RCM power parts brand continues to expand, with a growing following in Australia and America. Our commitment and drive remains as we continue to develop and refine our cars. Our father’s legacy in motorsport, including receiving an MBE from the Queen in the late 70s, laid the foundation for our ethos. His cars are still out there being proudly looked after by their owners, which is a real statement to what he achieved in his 58 years on the planet. Although he wasn’t directly involved in our company as we know it today, his influence is evident in our approach to excellence. We strive to honour, respect and nurture his legacy by making everything as good as it can be. We continue to push the boundaries, inspired by our father’s legacy and motivated by the thrill of the race.

Thank you to Matt, Olly, and all the team for the insight into Roger Clark Motorsport. Don’t miss the chance to meet Olly and Archie Clark at Prodrive Day, Sunday 22nd September in Banbury, where Gobstopper I will be proudly displayed on the Alcon stand.

For more information on the products and services available at Roger Clark Motorsport, get in touch with the team or visit: https://rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk/