Who is Pr-Developments?

I’m Martin Thompson and running Peugeot Racing Developments means I am fortunate to spend my working days doing something I love. Since 1997 I have owned, driven and worked on the Peugeot 205 and 24 years later I still here doing it, I’m on custom build #48 in time of writing this.

Raised in an enthusiastic and creative family with roots in motorsport and engineering, my much younger childhood involved lots of Lego Technic, Meccano and generally spending time with my farther fixing things. Since I was knee high to a grasshopper, it was very clear I had an ability for problem solving, this progressed into RC racing which I did for many years, I learnt how little changes can make big differences. This was then complimented by attending motorsport events with my cousin with his MG and then later with my brother supporting the Holden Commodore race series.

I have broad engineering and manufacturing skills. Starting off in heavy engineering, building, machining and fabricating roller shutter doors for companies such as British Aerospace from the age of 18. I then extended my skills into the mechanical processes of agricultural machinery, workshop fitter, breakdown and servicing.

Due to my mechanical like mind,  I express myself better via my hands, rather than talking, as reading and learn via books from other peoples experiences and knowledge isn’t my forte. Through doing I have learnt and am still learning many new skills. My motivation is to learn as much as I can and incorporate it into my work. I tend not to keep to the old and trusted other than when it really matters and therefore not afraid of stepping out and trying something new.

I’m well known for my unorthodox approach to engineering challenges. I like to think outside the box and seek a variety of solutions rather than to be fixed on one approach or throwing money at it.

I share no interest in keeping up with the Jones’ or increasing my status quo. what’s more important to me is making my own path and spending the time helping fellow Peugeot enthusiasts achieve their vision.

Martin Thompson (2021)

How is Pr-Developments different?

My aim is to keep Pr-Developments as a small family run business, with a focus to build a brand that is stable and trusted, not to build an empire. Stability can only create a happier atmosphere and better workmanship. I certainly don’t like chasing dangling carrots when I’ve already got mine,  the privilege to be working on old school motors full time.

As a single working individual, progression is about learning more skills and widening the selection of services for the customer. I like seeing customers excited, it proves I’m doing my job right!

PRD’s work is skill focussed, hands on and with old school engineering disciplines. I don’t stock bolt on after market products, therefore no sales pitch. I have no desire to benefit from selling/pushing products onto the customer that they do not require. 

 Large projects

PRD has two work bays dedicated to large projects, such as restorations, motorsport preparation, rear engine conversions and custom chassis builds. These bays work slightly differently to the standard bays, there is no time limit, other than a minimum payment of £500pw for labour. These bays remain available until the job is done. Projects that are 6 months or more benefit from one month of rest, this can be used at any time as a breathing space for when a customer needs it most.

These bays are also commercially available for other sub contracted projects such as companies that struggle to finish, require services they don’t provide or deal with. Companies such as media industries, motorsport or charity promotions can be rest assured Pr-Developments will provide absolute confidentiality of such services with privacy being of the uppermost importance.