Sport Race CarDesign Concept After seeing DuFLEXTM Composite Panels displayed at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in 2008, Brisbane motor racer, Gary Whittaker, decided it was the best choice for the body of his new super-sport race car. After considering the costs involved with moulded bodies, construction with DuFLEX Composites Panels, over temporary frames, was the most economical choice to produce a lightweight body for his one-off project. Construction Gary used a model car as a guide and scaled it up to size for his new project. Plywood temporary frames were made, and then Gary fabricated the chassis, suspension components, and fitted the Honda motor, before the DuFLEX panels were shaped over the frames to form the car body. The body was formed with 6mm DuFLEX panels cored with rigid SB.100 end-grain balsa and laminated with 1 layer of 400g biaxial E fibreglass each side. The intricate and curved shapes were made by using a router to cut grooves in the back face of the sheets which were then filled with a thickened epoxy mixture. After fairing, and painting with an automotive polyurethance paint system, the body was fitted to the chassis, completing Gary's project. To date, the car has competed in four race meetings with a perfect record of four race wins! |
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