History

Managing Director Christopher Tolman trained as an aircraft engineer at the Ministry of Defence’s premier test and evaluation centre, DERA Boscome Down, working on projects including; Euro fighter Typhoon, EH101 Merlin Helicopter, weapons test and evaluation trials and the Empire Test Pilots’ School.

During this time he started competing in a self prepared Talbot Sunbeam in Sprints and Hillclimbs in the south west; success with preparation and the high standards Chris set with this project, lead to a commission; building and preparing a Ralt RT33 for the British Classic F3 Championship. Two years later a second commission saw Chris preparing and developing a Peugeot 205 GTI for the Yokohama Stock Hatch Championship, achieving a credible 4th overall at their first attempt.

1999 saw Chris break into professional motorsport and join Prodrive as an engine builder for the Ford Mondeo Super Touring car project. Prodrive’s decision to develop the engine in house saw Chris working in France, building the first of the new engines with technical partner SODEMO. 2000 saw Ford and Prodrive blitz the opposition with an unprecedented 1, 2 and 3 in the Autotrader British Touring Car Championship.

With the championship won Chris moved on to the Mitsubishi Ralliart World Rally Team. Initially he was working in sub assembly on suspension and power steering, later he moved to the test team where he stayed for two years. 2004 saw a change of management and direction for the Japanese firm, moving many aspects of preparation in house for the first time. Chris started on the ‘new engine’ project, building and developing the latest spec of WRC turbo charged engines and providing on event support in the world championship.

2007 saw an end to the Mitsubishi Ralliart World Rally Team and their participation in the World Rally Championship, providing Chris with both the time and the opportunity to realise Tolman Motorsport as a commercial enterprise.

Twelve years experience of motor racing in both the amateur and professional arenas have provided Chris with a wealth of skills and knowledge which can now benefit you.