Innovation Race Cars is a car manufacturing company focused on developing high-performance cars while remaining relatively affordable. Founded by Danny Stutterd, IRC places a strong emphasis on excellence in both quality and performance.
Danny’s racing career began in New Zealand, where he started with tarmac rallying he met his long-time friend and now IRC New Zealand manager, Richard Scoular. Danny’s passion for racing quickly grew, leading him to circuit racing in the Porsche 944. As he advanced through various racing categories, his dedication to the sport deepened. He ventured into enduro racing, competing in 12 and 24-hour races around the world until the onset of COVID-19. Danny also participated in the Porsche Cup Challenge and Porsche Carrera Cup, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience.
The turning point came when Danny discovered the GTs being manufactured by the PACE Innovations team. Impressed by their craftsmanship, he acquired the third car produced. Recognising Danny’s extensive racing experience, Paul Ceprnich, the mastermind behind PACE Innovations, approached him with the idea of working together to bring the now IRC GT to the market. This collaboration marked the birth of Innovation Race Cars. Danny continues to race regularly in Australia and has plans to expand his racing pursuits to the United States in the near future.
James Stutterd, Danny’s son, was captivated by his father’s enthusiasm for racing, particularly the IRC GT. After witnessing the car’s performance during a weekend at Tailem Bend, James was eager to join the team. Now managing IRC, James brings energy and professionalism to the team, traveling to most races and playing a key role in leading IRC towards continued success.
PACE Innovations, founded by Paul Ceprnich, plays a crucial role in IRC’s story. Paul, a highly experienced mechanical engineer, has extensive expertise in the automotive and motor racing industry. The PACE Innovation team possesses the skill and precision needed to design and manufacture extraordinary vehicles. Their passion for innovation and excellence led to the creation of the IRC GT, a car rapidly gaining recognition for its performance capability and affordability. The IRC GT excels in both short and long sprints, with its debut at the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2024 showcasing its exceptional endurance despite the challenges faced. Ceprnich’s involvement in various motor racing categories around the world, including Formula 1, Supercars Australia, GT3, and the Porsche Carrera Cup, underscores his commitment to excellence and innovation in motorsport.
Today, Innovation Race Cars is thriving. They had multiple cars competing in the recent NIERDC series in New Zealand. Most recently, PACE manufactured car 010, a left-hand drive IRC GT, opening the door to the US market. The first of these cars is already headed to the United States.
Additionally, their most recent car, Car 011, was sold to Darren Currie, who plans to campaign it in the 24 Hour Creventic series.
Innovation Race Cars continues to push the boundaries of performance and affordability, solidifying its position in the motorsport industry. To learn more about the IRC take a look at our home page.