I really enjoyed watching this build series - you've built a very interesting race car ........ I worked for I fellow named Paul Decker in the early '80s who was the National Champion (DSR) several years in a row and built some very fine cars ..... we ran here in Northern California (SCCA) at the (then) Sears Point raceway and the "old" Laguna Seca (before the U-turn at the end of the start finish straight) - great times and fond memories - we usually ran with the formula Vs ............. made for some interesting "congestion" .....JRW
"Times weren't important....but I did appear to be second on the time sheets" :P Haha way to go man! I'd love to follow along with your progress throughout the championship!
I'm very impressed. What made you want to build a car rather than purchase a proven car? Did it end up being any less expensive? I always wanted to drive formula V, But I am afraid I am too old and too fat anymore, and I live in the bush as you would say! Bravo!
Thanks. A few things went into the decision. Firstly, I thought there were some things that the rules allowed that weren't being exploited by other manufacturers. I also thought I could do some things better than other manufacturers. Overall I'm mostly satisfied that I've improved in some ways, though the execution is a bit rough. Secondly, I thought I could do it for around the same price as a decent second hand car and much cheaper than a brand new one. It ended up being around what I estimated it would cost. Finally, in order to afford to own a car I'd need to take time off from racing anyway. So in my mind it kind of made sense to take that time away and do something with it related to racing. I wouldn't ever discount driving a racing car, there are people racing that are old and fat, just depends how competitive you want to be.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer. My son is a graduate mechanical engineer (BS, MS) and he his a devoted car guy like me. He works for Tesla in California. Maybe he and I can build something someday. I have always wanted to try landspeed racing and a lakester is a dream for me. Again, thanks for taking the time to write.
Not a problem. Like I tried to convey in my getting into motorsports video, I really think it's something almost anyone can participate in. It's rewarding partly because of how completely it tests you and the fact that you are competing against others who are most likely devoting so much to it as well. Best of luck if you do get into land speed racing.
+Daryush Dehnavi looking at a combination of aluminium, fibreglass and high density rigid foam. I've bought the material, but I'll wait a little while before building it, the car needs to run well mechanically before I take on another big build
this is soooo coool! dang I need to get into racing somehow. I love building crappy but fast cars but I also don't want to send them into a wall (soo much work), Also no money for a race track and they are far away. I really need to finish school so I'm able to self fund me. ;D
I have seen a few different people build race cars on here some are very very smart from a engineering standpoint but are absolutely horrible at driving I am pleased to find your videos you seem to be pretty well rounded although with no knowledge of the circuit of racing you are in . Some hopefully constructive criticism you are very smart with understanding most of the systems that are in a race car except the engine... at least that is what I can see without actually knowing you and my advice is gain a grater understanding of engines as you have with everything else and you will easily be able to re-engineer engine components that will help you achieve much greater responsibility and possibly more power but I am not sure about what the rules are for this kind of things in the Circuit you are racing in ... all in all I still think you are doing a amazing job and will continue to thanks for the great videos
Thanks, good to hear. For me racing was always the number one priority, where I think for a lot of others building the car is their real interest - driving it is secondary. So I've worked hard to improve my driving and racecraft, though I've still got a long way to go to equal some of the incredible drivers in this category. I agree with you that I'm not that knowledgeable on the engine, I'm aware in broad strokes of how they work but haven't yet learnt the little details you need to make them run perfectly. Anyway, I hope you continue to enjoy what I'm doing.
I agree other similar builds are more focused on the build rather than actually racing and yea you have a good basic understanding of engines for sure only reason I bring it up because I'm curious what improvements you will come up with when u have a grater understanding of them I am sure there are a lot you could come up with givin the old age of the engine vs the technology that we have available now I think you could come up with a few easy solutions to making the engine more efficient and reliable
Minimum race weight is 515kg. I've got just over 20kg of lead in the car to get me there and weigh ~60kg myself so the dry car weighs around 435 kg. Pretty light. I'm not sure how much the engine or gearbox weigh independently, together they would have to be well over 100kg.
I'm not sure how high it is but I measured it to be 150mm forward of the main roll hoop where it meets the floor. I'd love to know the height since lowering the CofG influenced so many decisions while building the car, it would be good to know how low it is.
+Luke C weight is roughly 420kg without fuel, ballast and driver, 515kg is minimum race weight. Top speed is 175kph. From memory acceleration is around 8 seconds from 0 to 100kph.
I suddenly feel like that the one thing missing from my life is building my own racecar
I'm watching from Brazil and your racing car building sounds like a dream for those who like cars, specially open-wheel ones!
Thanks, it's a good way to pass the time.
Impressionante como ele projetou e construiu todo o carro!
this series is awesome keep up the good work
I just finished watching your building series and ultimately culminating it with a first race was just fantastic experience. Thank you so much!
Amazing mate.. only just found the channel and have been binge watching!!!
That's absolutely fantastic.. Watching your videos from the start and seeing you race is immensely inspiring!
"Today Anthony Davidson is here with me...what can we expect from this race?"
I really enjoyed watching this build series - you've built a very interesting race car ........ I worked for I fellow named Paul Decker in the early '80s who was the National Champion (DSR) several years in a row and built some very fine cars ..... we ran here in Northern California (SCCA) at the (then) Sears Point raceway and the "old" Laguna Seca (before the U-turn at the end of the start finish straight) - great times and fond memories - we usually ran with the formula Vs ............. made for some interesting "congestion" .....JRW
Well done young man, you can be very proud of yourself.
Wow! Amazing project, great attitude and a lot of fun to watch! Thank you and keep it up!
"Times weren't important....but I did appear to be second on the time sheets" :P Haha way to go man! I'd love to follow along with your progress throughout the championship!
That was amazing keep up the good work
Brilliant recap. Well cut as always.
This is some great racing. Cool wheel to wheel :D
You should consider being an engineer for bigger race car compankes
Super cool man! Congratulations for the hard work! Excelent job!
Loved it keep it up!
Best Matt
you are my hero
This looks very fun
Awesome video man
Did you get new tires? Those look like a racing compound. Great stuff!
Funnily enough, we did get new tyres - a performance road radial. Yokohama AD08R if you're interested.
Great run!
You got talent bro.
I'm very impressed. What made you want to build a car rather than purchase a proven car? Did it end up being any less expensive? I always wanted to drive formula V, But I am afraid I am too old and too fat anymore, and I live in the bush as you would say! Bravo!
Thanks. A few things went into the decision. Firstly, I thought there were some things that the rules allowed that weren't being exploited by other manufacturers. I also thought I could do some things better than other manufacturers. Overall I'm mostly satisfied that I've improved in some ways, though the execution is a bit rough.
Secondly, I thought I could do it for around the same price as a decent second hand car and much cheaper than a brand new one. It ended up being around what I estimated it would cost.
Finally, in order to afford to own a car I'd need to take time off from racing anyway. So in my mind it kind of made sense to take that time away and do something with it related to racing.
I wouldn't ever discount driving a racing car, there are people racing that are old and fat, just depends how competitive you want to be.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer. My son is a graduate mechanical engineer (BS, MS) and he his a devoted car guy like me. He works for Tesla in California. Maybe he and I can build something someday. I have always wanted to try landspeed racing and a lakester is a dream for me. Again, thanks for taking the time to write.
Not a problem. Like I tried to convey in my getting into motorsports video, I really think it's something almost anyone can participate in. It's rewarding partly because of how completely it tests you and the fact that you are competing against others who are most likely devoting so much to it as well. Best of luck if you do get into land speed racing.
Do you plan to incorporate those aero pieces from the design in the future in carbon or any other material?
+Daryush Dehnavi looking at a combination of aluminium, fibreglass and high density rigid foam. I've bought the material, but I'll wait a little while before building it, the car needs to run well mechanically before I take on another big build
ThomsenMotorsport gotcha, should be interesting and i'll be watching friendo, good luck with achieving mechanical reliability
this is soooo coool! dang I need to get into racing somehow. I love building crappy but fast cars but I also don't want to send them into a wall (soo much work),
Also no money for a race track and they are far away.
I really need to finish school so I'm able to self fund me. ;D
I have seen a few different people build race cars on here some are very very smart from a engineering standpoint but are absolutely horrible at driving I am pleased to find your videos you seem to be pretty well rounded although with no knowledge of the circuit of racing you are in . Some hopefully constructive criticism you are very smart with understanding most of the systems that are in a race car except the engine... at least that is what I can see without actually knowing you and my advice is gain a grater understanding of engines as you have with everything else and you will easily be able to re-engineer engine components that will help you achieve much greater responsibility and possibly more power but I am not sure about what the rules are for this kind of things in the Circuit you are racing in ... all in all I still think you are doing a amazing job and will continue to thanks for the great videos
Thanks, good to hear. For me racing was always the number one priority, where I think for a lot of others building the car is their real interest - driving it is secondary. So I've worked hard to improve my driving and racecraft, though I've still got a long way to go to equal some of the incredible drivers in this category. I agree with you that I'm not that knowledgeable on the engine, I'm aware in broad strokes of how they work but haven't yet learnt the little details you need to make them run perfectly. Anyway, I hope you continue to enjoy what I'm doing.
I agree other similar builds are more focused on the build rather than actually racing and yea you have a good basic understanding of engines for sure only reason I bring it up because I'm curious what improvements you will come up with when u have a grater understanding of them I am sure there are a lot you could come up with givin the old age of the engine vs the technology that we have available now I think you could come up with a few easy solutions to making the engine more efficient and reliable
Which engine have you used and what's the max speed??
The engine is a 1600cc Volkswagen Beetle type 1 engine. It maxes out at around 180kph simply because the gear ratio limits it.
What is the total weight of the car (engine included) and engine?
Minimum race weight is 515kg. I've got just over 20kg of lead in the car to get me there and weigh ~60kg myself so the dry car weighs around 435 kg. Pretty light. I'm not sure how much the engine or gearbox weigh independently, together they would have to be well over 100kg.
Wow those are very nice stats. Any idea where the center of gravity with you included?
I'm not sure how high it is but I measured it to be 150mm forward of the main roll hoop where it meets the floor. I'd love to know the height since lowering the CofG influenced so many decisions while building the car, it would be good to know how low it is.
Keep up the good work man.
where are the skirts?
The undertray/diffuser? It's planned but it's a huge job, I'm not exactly sure when it will happen.
Do you have specific stats for the car like weight, top speed and 0-60?
+Luke C weight is roughly 420kg without fuel, ballast and driver, 515kg is minimum race weight. Top speed is 175kph. From memory acceleration is around 8 seconds from 0 to 100kph.
ThomsenMotorsport ok thanks for the info!
thats crazy light. im amazed its not over 200.
harsh part. any idea of cost?
that H4 can only deliver so much. car is sick though.
what kind of engine is it?
VW Type 1 1600cc engine. Out of an old beetle.
and fun was had by all =)
Looks like you got some mojo, there bro.
that's what happens when you don't solder wires people crimp locks are dangerous and poor work.
Won't find any more of them on my car after this little incident.