Our History
Tony Purnell, a graduate of UMIST Manchester, MIT Boston and the University of Cambridge, founded Pi Research in 1987. The company initially focussed on providing electronic instrumentation for race teams and racecar manufacturers wanting to improve the quality of their data from wind tunnel testing. The extension from wind tunnel data gathering instrumentation to on-car data acquisition systems was the natural progression - and the Pi Research "Black Box" was born.
Used extensively in the North American IndyCar Championship, the Pi Research Black Box was the first electronic dash display and combined data logger to be used in professional motor sport. The success of the product in allowing teams to analyse performance parameters of the car, engine and chassis, as well as providing clear, accurate information for the driver marked a turning point in race car technology and defined the future for Pi Research.
In 1989 Pi Research opened Pi USA, a sales and support office in Indianapolis to ensure the best local support for its US customers. This office continues to thrive and today employs around 25 people.
Following further rapid expansion and several re-locations, 1998 saw Pi Research move to a purpose-designed facility at Brookfield Motorsports Centre in Cottenham, just north of Cambridge.
In 1999 Pi Research acquired Pectel Control Systems which provides engine and chassis controllers for a wide range of motorsport customers. The development, build, sales and technical support of Pectel ECU products is now housed at Pi Research’s BMC base.
During 1999 Pi Research also opened a facility in Mooresville, NC, to focus on the needs of the American Stock Car market. Pi South supplies and services teams in all categories of closed-wheel oval racing up to Busch Grand National and NASCAR teams.
In 2001 a new brand, Performance Wiring Solutions, was created by Pi Research to supply bespoke, high performance mil-spec wiring harness design & manufacture, using the latest materials & techniques.
Pi Research continues to provide highly innovative state of the art electronics and software products to championship-winning teams in all categories of the sport around the world.
For more information on Pi Research contact: enquiries@piresearch.co.uk