Who We Are – Our History
TrackDay Performance Ltd. (TDP.ie) is an Irish motorsport engineering company specialising in the design, manufacture and consultancy of high-performance vehicles and motorsport systems. Originally founded in 2000 as a subsidiary of Peter Breen Ltd., the company combines over a century of engineering heritage with modern motorsport technology.
Peter Breen Ltd., motor engineers, was founded in 1905 and quickly established itself as a high-precision engineering business focusing on engine reconditioning and race engine manufacture for a wide range of motorsport applications. By the 1990s, the company had expanded into high-technology aerospace and medical engineering, driven in part by the innovative approach of Robbie Thornton, who introduced state-of-the-art CNC machining, CAD design and CAM manufacturing systems. In 1999, the company outgrew its original premises at 2 Main Street, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, and relocated to its current facility at Unit 3, Railway Business Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.
During the early 2000s, Peter Breen Ltd. successfully operated across numerous engineering disciplines. Robbie gained extensive experience through work with some of the world’s most respected engineering and manufacturing organisations, including Honeywell, Garrett, Boeing, Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Arianespace, McGahn Medical, Inamed, Becton Dickinson, Ford, Bugatti, Boston Scientific, Stryker and EASA.
As global manufacturing shifted towards lower-cost overseas production, Ireland’s role as a major engineering manufacturing centre began to decline. This created new challenges but also new opportunities. Recognising the growing demand for specialist motorsport engineering, the company evolved its focus towards high-performance automotive development, electronics, engine design and motorsport consultancy.
In 2009, TrackDay Performance Ltd. was established as a dedicated motorsport engineering company. Under the leadership of Robert Thornton (Robbie), TDP has become internationally recognised for advanced engine management, motorsport electronics, calibration, CNC manufacturing and race engine development. Innovation without limitation remains the core philosophy behind everything we do.
What We Do
TrackDay Performance Ltd. provides motorsport engineering, advanced manufacturing and consultancy services across virtually every motorsport discipline, including circuit racing, endurance racing, GT racing, single-seater competition, Formula 3, Formula 3000, stage rallying, rallycross, drag racing, drifting, hill climbs and historic motorsport.
We are championship-winning engine builders with extensive experience in both naturally aspirated and forced-induction applications. Our expertise includes turbocharged and supercharged engines, advanced combustion development, nitrous oxide systems and complete powertrain integration. We specialise in developing reliable, high-performance engines capable of operating in the most demanding competition environments.
A key differentiator is our extensive knowledge of engine management and vehicle control systems. Robbie has been calibrating and developing engine management systems for more than two decades and has worked directly with many of the world’s leading ECU manufacturers in development, testing and real-world applications. Platforms include MoTeC, Life Racing, Cosworth/Pectel, Magneti Marelli, Syvecs, GEMS, AEM, DTA, MBE, HKS, Link ECU, Apexi, Vi-PEC, Autronic, Haltech and many others.
We are Ireland’s leading supplier of MoTeC products and have delivered MoTeC-based solutions throughout Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East. TDP develops bespoke MoTeC M1 firmware packages in-house, allowing complete customisation for complex applications including direct injection engines, hybrid systems, advanced gearbox control, traction control, launch control, anti-lag systems and complete vehicle integration through CANbus networks.
We are Master Dealers for Link ECU products and have worked closely with Link ECU for over 20 years, including development testing and validation of new products and firmware features. We are also Platinum Dealers for the full Haltech range and have over a decade of experience in calibration, installation and support of their products.
Our manufacturing division utilises advanced CAD, CAM and CNC technologies to produce high-precision components for motorsport applications. Using our 5-axis Deckel Maho machining centres, CMM inspection systems and reverse engineering capabilities, we manufacture components to aerospace-level standards. Our expertise includes suspension systems, intake manifolds, billet components, motorsport brackets, bespoke housings and complete vehicle integration solutions.
We have developed complete engineering packages for some of the most successful and technically advanced rally cars in Europe, including championship-winning Ford Escort programmes and bespoke solutions for modern rally, rallycross and circuit racing vehicles.
We are experienced engine builders across a broad range of platforms, including the Nissan RB20DET, RB25DET, RB26DETT, SR20DET, VQ30, VQ35, VQ37, VR38, Toyota 1JZ and 2JZ engines, Mitsubishi 4G63T and 4B11T platforms, Ford Pinto, YB, Duratech Opel/Vauxhall C20XE family and numerous modern direct-injection powerplants. Our engines have achieved outputs exceeding 250 BHP per cylinder in competition applications.
Mitsubishi WRC Heritage Programme
TrackDay Performance Ltd. is the principal technical partner of MMR Rallysport, custodians of some of the exceptionally rare ex-works Mitsubishi World Rally Championship cars from the 2004 to 2007 era. These vehicles represent some of the most sophisticated rally cars ever produced by Mitsubishi Motorsport and require specialist knowledge, engineering expertise and manufacturing capability to maintain and operate at the highest level.
As part of this partnership, TDP is responsible for the electronic systems programming, diagnostics, maintenance and repair of these vehicles. We also undertake complete engine rebuilds and remanufacture, gearbox and drivetrain component manufacture and remanufacture, damper servicing and remanufacture, together with the reverse engineering and manufacture of obsolete components that are no longer available through conventional supply channels.
This programme requires the integration of modern engineering techniques with historically significant motorsport technology, ensuring that these unique World Rally Championship vehicles remain operational, competitive and preserved for future generations.
BMW S58 Development Programme
In 2020, TrackDay Performance Ltd. embarked on one of its most ambitious engineering programmes to date in partnership with the Red Bull Drift Brothers, 229 Sport and 229 Performance. The objective was to develop the newly released BMW S58B30T0 twin-turbocharged engine from the BMW M3 and M4 platform into a reliable 1,000 BHP motorsport package suitable for professional competition use.
Working to an aggressive three-month development schedule, TDP successfully achieved this target while simultaneously developing a complete MoTeC M1 control package entirely in-house. At the time, no alternative motorsport control strategy existed anywhere in the world for the BMW S58 engine. During this programme, TDP was responsible for achieving a documented 1,000+ BHP from the S58 platform before the wider aftermarket had demonstrated comparable power levels from the engine. This development programme established the foundation for what has become one of the most advanced and extensively developed S58 control platforms available today, incorporating sophisticated engine management, safety systems, diagnostics, data acquisition, motorsport functions and complete vehicle integration.
Since the completion of the initial programme, TDP has continued to develop, manufacture and supply S58 engines and associated systems for the Red Bull Drift Brothers competition and display vehicles, selected customer projects and 229 Performance. We continue to supply engines, components, electronics, wiring systems, ECUs, expansion modules, dashboards, GPS solutions, driver aids and technical consultancy services relating to S58 engine development and integration.
As part of this programme, TDP developed the world’s first fully integrated bedplate-mounted dry sump system for the BMW S58 engine. The design allows installation on either the intake or exhaust side of the engine, providing exceptional flexibility for a wide range of vehicle installations while delivering the reliability required for the highest levels of motorsport competition.
Further developments from the programme include a billet aluminium cam cover designed to withstand the extreme thermal environments encountered in professional motorsport applications, together with a high-flow billet intake system engineered to retain the original Mahle charge-cooler assembly. Extensive testing demonstrated the exceptional efficiency of the OEM Mahle charge-cooler, allowing significant airflow improvements while maintaining the proven cooling performance of the factory design.
The durability of the programme was independently demonstrated when one of the original 1,039 PS Drift Brothers engines was returned to BMW M for a complete strip-down and inspection after two years of competition and demonstration use. The inspection revealed remarkably low wear across the major factory components, including the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons and bearings, validating both the strength of the S58 platform and the effectiveness of the TDP and 229 Performance development programme. BMW M’s technical review specifically identified the engine as utilising a programmable MoTeC M142 ECU running custom software developed by TDP.ie.
For a detailed technical review of the engine teardown and BMW M’s findings, please visit BMW M’s published article:
The S58 programme continues to evolve today, with TrackDay Performance remaining actively involved in the ongoing development, manufacture and support of engines, electronics and specialist components for customers and motorsport teams throughout the world.