Pictured: The Honda race car in their pit garage at Silverstone

One of the UK's leading manufacturers of motorbike and car exhausts is highlighting its relationship with Yorkshire Bank as one of the reasons for its long-term success.

Scorpion Exhausts, based in Codnor Gate Business Park, Ripley, is backed by Yorkshire Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Derby and has been a client since 1999.

2011 was a watershed year for the company with its products being used by teams which have landed a raft of titles. The highlight was at the British Touring Car Championship when winner Matt Neal and runner-up Gordon Shedden used exhausts made by the firm which also led to Honda scooping the manufacturers' top honours.

Shaun Leonard, managing director of Scorpion Exhausts, said the support of Yorkshire Bank in the last 12 years has played a pivotal role in paving the way for their business to be able to make the move into supplying British motorsport and UK-based teams.

"The market has changed in recent years and we have had to adapt as well, with the support of the bank playing a key role in providing financial stability which has allowed us to grow as a company," he said.

"Given we are still operating in a difficult economic climate the role played by your bank is even more crucial and we have been really pleased with the financial assistance of the Yorkshire Bank team."

He said the company's eclectic mix of titles and results throughout motorsport was due to working with its technical partners to produce the best possible machines.

Shaun said: "We are immensely proud to be involved with such engineering, riding and driving talent. We have always believed that British is best and this is one small way that we can put something back into UK motorsport."

Carl Dickinson, managing partner in the East Midlands for Yorkshire Bank, said he is confident Scorpion Exhausts will continue to thrive for years to come.

"It is fantastic to work with a company which is enjoying such major success and to support them through the current difficult economic climate," he said. 

"Shaun and his team were at Silverstone for the final round of the British Touring Car Championship when Matt Neal won his third title and they were all, quite rightly, extremely proud.

"Their flawless approach is matched by the drivers whose machines incorporate their parts which they produce with such exceptional quality."