Described by guest driver Tim Harvey in 2023 as “the best low cost racing out there”, the GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy is a unique one-make budget endurance racing series, using the popular and ultra-affordable ‘Mk1’ BMW 1 Series. Races are 90-minutes long with compulsory pitstops, for one, two or three driver teams.

Platform & Chassis

1.6-litre ‘N45’ engined E87 BMW 116i models produced from 2004-2006. Donor cars are available secondhand from just £800. There is a mandatory ‘control’ roll cage, currently priced at £1392 inc. VAT.

Engine & Transmission

There is a throttle body upgrade, replacement sports exhaust/catalyst (£450) and ECU re-flash (£250), but the engine remains largely standard. Only five-speed manual variants are permitted, and the dual mass flywheel may be replaced with a single mass option.

Suspension & Brakes

A control coilover damper kit from GAZ Shocks is adjustable at the rear only for equality, budget and to reduce complication for newcomers. The kit includes adjustable billet front top mounts and is priced at just £778 to registered drivers. Brakes remain standard, but pad choice is free.

Wheels & Tyres

All cars use Nankang NS-2R control tyres, priced at just £87.50 each. Wheels are any 16″ OEM BMW subject to regulations, or Revolution CR10.

Rounds

Typically six or seven races per season, run as a Series of races (rather than a championship, so individual events and no points scored). The cars are also the exact same specification and eligible for 116 Sprint Championship races, which are often held on the Saturday before 116 Trophy endurance race on Sundays at race weekends.

Costs

750 Motor Club membership is £95 for 12 months, season registration is £135 per driver (inc. 116 Sprint races), and the 90-minute race entry fees are typically £600-£675 depending on the venue. Complete ‘Arrive & Drive’ packages are available for those who would rather not own and run their own car – see the Arrive & Drive tab.

Contacts

For technical and control parts queries: Contact Mark Bate on 07465 424912
For general entry queries: Contact 750 Motor Club

Teams

For mechanical Race Support, car builds or Arrive & Drive services, speak to:

Anthony Seddon Racing
Forty40 Racing
JTM Engineering
MHR Motorsports

Note that whilst all of the above are personally known to 750MC, any services and transactions are strictly between competitors and teams directly, and 750MC has no affiliation, direct recommendation or implied guarantee.

Competitor Links & Downloads

116 Sprint/Trophy/120 Coupe Facebook Drivers’ Group
Mandatory Decal Booklet
Full 750MC 2025 Grid Calendar

2025 Calendar Schedule

Note: All 2025 events in the calendar feature 116 Trophy races on Sunday only apart from Croft, which is Saturday only.