West Sussex-based Nova Racing Transmissions is passionate about engineering and racing in equal measures, developing after-market transmission systems for modern and classic motorcycles.

With technical support from Sheffield-based WNT (UK) Ltd (www.wnt.com) the company has been able to boost its machining performance, reducing cycle times and improving tool life across a range of materials.

Nova recently became a supplier to WNT Burman Racing, whose rider Sam Burman is herself an engineer (at the steelworks in Scunthorpe).

Nova has supplied Sam with its proven KTM RC250R Moto3 Dog Ring Gearbox, which was developed in conjunction with the Racing Steps Foundation (a private not-for-profit fund that provides and finances competition and performance development programmes for young British racing drivers and motorcycle racers) and the Mahindra Moto 3 World Championship squad.

At British Championship level, the same Nova gearbox was used by last season’s championship winner — Charlie Nesbitt.

Michael Payne, the Nova designer responsible for the gearbox, says: “We were contacted by Mark Keen of the Racing Steps Foundation, as the Mahindra team was having certain difficulties with the OEM-supplied gearbox.

“At Nova, we undertook development work and were able to eliminate the issues relating to missed gear changes; we were also able to improve stability when changing gear through corners.”

Working closely with WNT technical sales engineer Bob Thompson, Nova makes use of the latest solid-carbide and indexable-insert tooling. This includes WTX UNI solid-carbide drills, HCX1125 Dragonskin turning inserts, and W-HPC solid-carbide end mills for aluminium machining.

Where necessary, Mr Thompson will arrange for more-detailed assessments of Nova’s machining processes to be carried out at WNT’s Technical Centre in Sheffield, allowing Nova’s production to carry on uninterrupted while new strategies are developed.

Nova sales manager Mick Dearlove said: “It is an interesting tie-up between Nova as a manufacturer, WNT as a cutting-tool supplier and motorbike racer Sam, who is an engineer in her ‘day job’.

At Nova, we are all passionate about what we do, and our values of supporting our customers match closely those of WNT. With Sam’s engineering background, she also understands what we are doing and why — a case of mutual respect all round.”

Sam says: “The Nova gearbox now fitted to my KTM gives me much smoother and faster gearshifts — much faster than the standard gearbox. Moreover, the bike feels considerably more settled and planted when changing gear while cornering and using the side of the tyre.

“This benefit is particularly evident at circuits such as Donington, which has some fast flowing sections of track where you are constantly accelerating.”