Varley Red Top

Varley Red Top batteries for racing and rally cars, from the compact 5.4kg Red Top 20 to the 60Ah Red Top 60 for endurance and rallying. Every Red Top is a 12V battery with M6 female terminals, and each is matched to an engine size and use, so you can pick the right capacity and cranking power for your car. Accessories include SAE terminal kits and a 12V grid start power pack.

Varley Red Top Batteries

Varley Red Top batteries are built for motorsport, where weight, size and starting power all matter. Here’s what to look for:

  • Seven sizes, from 13Ah to 60Ah, so you can match capacity to your car rather than carrying more battery than you need
  • 12V with M6 female terminals across the range, with an SAE terminal kit available if your loom needs SAE posts
  • Matched to engine size, with each model recommended for a maximum engine capacity when running an alternator
  • Reserve capacity options in the Red Top 40 and 60 for endurance racing and rallying
  • Listed as used across motorsport, from Formula Ford and Caterhams through to BTCC, GT, WRC and Dakar.

Choosing the Right Varley Red Top Battery

Model

Capacity

CCA

Weight

Dimensions (mm) LxWxH

Recommended for

Red Top 15

15Ah

156A

5.5kg

200 x 78 x 134

Racing cars up to 2.5 litres with an alternator, up to 1600cc without, motorcycles, pit equipment

Red Top 20

13Ah

185A

5.4kg

176 x 84 x 130

Racing cars up to 2.0 litres with an alternator, motorcycles, pit equipment

Red Top 25

20Ah

230A

7kg

181 x 77 x 167

Racing cars up to 2.5 litres with an alternator, motorcycles, pit equipment

Red Top 30

30Ah

450A

10.6kg

250 x 97 x 142

Racing cars up to 3.5 litres with an alternator, pit equipment

Red Top 35

28Ah

410A

10.7kg

165 x 176 x 125

Racing cars up to 3.5 litres with an alternator

Red Top 40

39Ah

500A

14.9kg

250 x 97 x 192

Racing cars up to 6 litres with an alternator, reserve capacity for endurance and rallying

Red Top 60

60Ah

700A

20.5kg

220 x 121 x 247

Racing cars 6 litres and above, reserve capacity for endurance and rallying, or as ballast

The Red Top 60 is also used where cars are built below their series’ minimum weight, so the battery can double as ballast.

Red Top Batteries in Race and Rally Applications

Varley list each Red Top as used in specific series, which is a useful shortcut if you know what similar cars run:

  • Red Top 15, 20 and 25: Formula Ford, Formula Renault, Sports 2000 Duratec, Caterhams and Westfields
  • Red Top 30: a wide spread including BTCC, DTM, F3, Ginetta, Radicals and rally cars
  • Red Top 35: Ginetta G40, G50 and G55, and Morgans
  • Red Top 40 and 60: endurance and rally, including GT endurance, WRC, Dakar and rally raid

Accessories

The SAE Terminal Kit (M6 stud) fits Varley batteries for looms that need SAE-style terminals. The 12V Grid Start Power Pack is available with Anderson or crocodile clip connections and a UK or EU plug, with an Anderson lead converter available separately. If you’re fitting a new Red Top to a competition car, pair it with one of our battery master switches to isolate the electrics, and check your series regulations for where it needs to be mounted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the number in a Red Top’s name tell you its capacity?

Not always. The Red Top 20 is 13Ah, the Red Top 25 is 20Ah, the Red Top 35 is 28Ah and the Red Top 40 is 39Ah. Use the capacity, CCA and dimensions in the table above rather than the model number when choosing.

Which Red Top battery do I need for my car?

Start with your engine size, then check if the battery fits your mounting space. Each Red Top is recommended for a maximum engine size when running an alternator, from 2.0 litres for the Red Top 20 to 6 litres and above for the Red Top 60. If you compete in endurance events or rallying, the Red Top 40 or 60 give you reserve capacity. To get the most life out of it between events, see our guide to racing battery care.

What terminals do Red Top batteries use?

Every Red Top has M6 female terminals. If your wiring needs SAE-style posts, the SAE Terminal Kit screws into the M6 thread.