Shiftec launch Le Mans winning paddle shift hardware

Within the GFG Alliance, there are businesses that you could describe as hidden gems, you may have read about some here on the Spoke site for example Cape International, the business that renovates Austin Healey and Porsche sports cars.

Another GFG hidden gem is Shiftec, a ‘Great British’ engineering business, based in the West Midlands, with a history preceding the UK’s automotive heyday. Originally established as a high-performance pneumatic paddle shift business, the Shiftec brand has extended to incorporate other business units within LIBERTY Engineering.

So-called paddle shifters can be seen on many high-end road cars and race track cars and are now being offered by Shiftec as a range of ready-to-buy pneumatic Shift Kits as an aftermarket upgrade for Club and Professional motorsport applications.

Combining race-proven components into one user-friendly package, the Shiftec Shift Kits enable the quick and straightforward fitting of pneumatic paddle shift to any vehicle with a sequential gearbox and drive-by-wire throttle.

For the technically minded, both Club-sport and Pro-sport kits feature Shiftec’s Le Mans race-winning Gear Shift Servo, which integrates the control valves directly with the actuator, simplifying installation and improving reliability. It also reduces air consumption and packaging requirements while also significantly improving system response time over more conventional remote valve block setups.

Shift Kits also include a pair of single paddles, integrated accumulator, billet compressor, wiring loom with DTM Connectors, a dash 4 Air Hose kit and Shiftec USB key. The kit is supplied in a hard travel case which can be reused as a laptop case reducing packaging waste.

Shiftec’s head of motorsport Matt Faulks showcasing the Shift Kit

Shift Kits also include a pair of single paddles, integrated accumulator, billet compressor, wiring loom with DTM Connectors, a dash 4 Air Hose kit and Shiftec USB key. The kit is supplied in a hard travel case which can be reused as a laptop case reducing packaging waste.

Shiftec’s systems have contributed to recent victories and podiums across multiple classes in the Le Mans 24 hour race, and successes in almost every class of the major GT series.

Both kits are available from Shiftec’s online shop (https://shop.shiftec.com/collections/shift-kits) while Club-Sport kits can also be purchased from major motorsport retailers.

Top photograph – 2016 World Endurance Championship, Le Mans 24 hours
11th â19th June 2016
Le Mans, France
Photo: Drew Gibson