Ripspeed
Encyclopedia
Ripspeed is a sub brand of Halfords
, one of the leading automotive parts retailer in the United Kingdom
. It began as
an independent retailer in the 1970s, two decades later the business changed hands and was purchased in 1999 by Halfords, and operates as one of the five subsections of a store if it is present.
champion started up an Edmonton, London
based retail
and mail order
shop specialising in tuning parts and accessories for Mini
s as Ripspeed International in 1973
The motorsport
and road car tuning and accessories side progressively grew over the years. By the 1990s, Ripspeed's main rivals were Demon Tweeks
and Grand Prix Racewear, both owned by racing drivers, Alan Minshaw
and Ray Bellm
respectively. In 1996, Ripp sold Ripspeed to Tony Joseph. He then, in a bid for expansion, relocated the store from its original premises to Enfield
with a plan for expansion in other areas, but this plan came to an abrupt end when the company collapsed due to financial problems after two years of ownership.
Ripp with his two sons Adrian and Jason later started up Xtreme Motorsport, based in Harlow
, Essex
, which in turn was sold off in 2001. The Ripp brothers later founded R-Tec Auto Design, based in St Albans
, Hertfordshire
.
In early 1999, Halfords
took over the brand
. One of the biggest changes was discarding the motorsport retail side of its business to concentrate on the lucrative boy racer
market.
Ripspeed is now one of the largest car modifying retailers in the UK , although it is now mocked by some of the more serious modifiers as being a place that boy racers will typically go to with their Vauxhall Corsas and Citroën Saxo
s .
Ripspeed itself has had only a limited number of demonstration cars out and about at shows and events. It started with a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa C SXI, which was followed in 1999 with a Ford Focus Ripspeed's current project is a 1991 Nissan 200SX
turbo which is a drift car project and has been seen in action at Santa Pod raceway in 2007. These cars are used extensively for promoting the Ripspeed brand at car shows across the UK and at store openings or promotion weekends.
Ripspeed itself did sponsor the Doncaster Performance and Custom Car Show, which begins the UK outdoor car show season. The event was renamed Ripspeed Donny.
They have since moved on to sponsor numerous events at Santa Pod raceway which included shows such as "The Jap Show" and "USC" (Ultimate Street Car).
Halfords
Halfords Group plc is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic and more recently in Poland, although it is currently pulling out of the latter two countries...
, one of the leading automotive parts retailer in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It began as
an independent retailer in the 1970s, two decades later the business changed hands and was purchased in 1999 by Halfords, and operates as one of the five subsections of a store if it is present.
History
Keith Ripp, a 1970s Mini RallycrossRallycross
Rallycross is a form of sprint style automobile racing, held on a closed mixed-surface racing circuit, with modified production or specially built road cars, similar to the World Rally Cars, although usually with about stronger engines, due to e.g. their 45 mm turbo restrictor plates. It is...
champion started up an Edmonton, London
Edmonton, London
Edmonton is an area in the east of the London Borough of Enfield, England, north-north-east of Charing Cross. It has a long history as a settlement distinct from Enfield.-Location:...
based retail
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
and mail order
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
shop specialising in tuning parts and accessories for Mini
Mini
The Mini is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original is considered a British icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout influenced a generation of car-makers...
s as Ripspeed International in 1973
The motorsport
Motorsport
Motorsport or motorsports is the group of sports which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition...
and road car tuning and accessories side progressively grew over the years. By the 1990s, Ripspeed's main rivals were Demon Tweeks
Demon Tweeks
Demon Tweeks is a British retailer, based on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, in Wrexham, Wales. They are heavily advertised in car magazines and commonly appear in car shows, which make them very well known amongst car, motorcycle and motorsport enthusiasts and those involved in these circles.Demon...
and Grand Prix Racewear, both owned by racing drivers, Alan Minshaw
Alan Minshaw
Alan Minshaw is a British auto racing driver. In 1983 he won class D and finished fourth overall in the British Touring Car Championship in a Volkswagen Golf GTi...
and Ray Bellm
Ray Bellm
Ray Bellm is an auto racing driver from Britain.He began his racing career in 1980, running in Historic racing series and winning the British Historic 2L GT class in 1983 and 1984 driving his Chevron B19 sports car. He made the move to modern sports car racing in 1984, driving for Gordon Spice...
respectively. In 1996, Ripp sold Ripspeed to Tony Joseph. He then, in a bid for expansion, relocated the store from its original premises to Enfield
Enfield Town
Enfield Town is the historic town centre of Enfield, formerly in the county of Middlesex and now in the London Borough of Enfield. It is north north-east of Charing Cross...
with a plan for expansion in other areas, but this plan came to an abrupt end when the company collapsed due to financial problems after two years of ownership.
Ripp with his two sons Adrian and Jason later started up Xtreme Motorsport, based in Harlow
Harlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, which in turn was sold off in 2001. The Ripp brothers later founded R-Tec Auto Design, based in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
.
In early 1999, Halfords
Halfords
Halfords Group plc is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic and more recently in Poland, although it is currently pulling out of the latter two countries...
took over the brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
. One of the biggest changes was discarding the motorsport retail side of its business to concentrate on the lucrative boy racer
Boy racer
Boy racers refer to people, usually males in their late teens or early twenties, who "cruise" around in vehicles modified with loud exhausts and stereos, or modified body kits. This behavior is frowned upon by members of the public irritated by the noise and the criminal behavior associated with...
market.
Ripspeed is now one of the largest car modifying retailers in the UK , although it is now mocked by some of the more serious modifiers as being a place that boy racers will typically go to with their Vauxhall Corsas and Citroën Saxo
Citroën Saxo
The Citroën Saxo is a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. It was also sold in Japan as the Citroën Chanson. It shares many engine and body parts with the Peugeot 106 , the major difference being interiors and body panels...
s .
Ripspeed itself has had only a limited number of demonstration cars out and about at shows and events. It started with a 1999 Vauxhall Corsa C SXI, which was followed in 1999 with a Ford Focus Ripspeed's current project is a 1991 Nissan 200SX
Nissan 200SX
From 1995 to 1998 Nissan applied the name "200SX" to two different lines of automobiles in different markets these years.In 1995, Nissan reintroduced the 200SX nameplate in United States and Canada to designate a two-door version of the Nissan Sentra , known in Japan and Mexico as Lucino, replacing...
turbo which is a drift car project and has been seen in action at Santa Pod raceway in 2007. These cars are used extensively for promoting the Ripspeed brand at car shows across the UK and at store openings or promotion weekends.
Ripspeed itself did sponsor the Doncaster Performance and Custom Car Show, which begins the UK outdoor car show season. The event was renamed Ripspeed Donny.
They have since moved on to sponsor numerous events at Santa Pod raceway which included shows such as "The Jap Show" and "USC" (Ultimate Street Car).