Ricardo transaxles

[Brian Kissel]

Good morning !!

I just recieved this email from Ricardo .


Dear Motorsport Friend,

Ricardo is pleased to announce it's first participation at the PRI show in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome, December 4-6, 2003.

We would be very pleased to meet with you at our booth (No: 8528, 8530) in the MIA pavilion on the 2nd floor in the Sagamore Ballroom. For your convenience we have attached a summary of Ricardo's Motorsport Engineering and Products capabilities, along with contact information. Come and take a look at the Infinity Pro Series car driven by the 2003 champion Mark Taylor. Ricardo provided the transmission box for the entire series.

We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Reinhard Burk
Russ Wakeman

Ricardo Motorsport

<font color="blue"> </font> I'll be in Indy for the PRI show, Wednesay through Saturday, perhaps I'll see some of you there. If anyone is going, Thursday is the best day. At any rate, I am going to get any, and all information I can from them and anyone else that may have transaxle assemblies.

<font color="black"> </font> Regards Brian [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Gary Gibbs]

I unfortunately am not going, but would like a full report [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I had e-mailed Xtrac a while ago concerning their claim to be making a syncro transaxle for OEM use. I recieved this response recently:

*************
Dear Gary,

Thank you for your email requesting information for a transaxle to suit your car, I am not sure we ever replied to you so I must apologise if that is the case.

Earlier this year we did not have a transaxle to suit your road car, we are however in the process of designing a unit which maybe available in 2004. this will be on display at the PRI show in Indianapolis in December.

We do have available a range of race car transaxles which I am sure would meet the requirements for your race car version.

Our transverse unit is race proven having won the Le Mans 24 hours race and is currently used by a number of teams and constructors. The 209 version has H pattern gear change and the 229 version has sequential gearchange, this unit can also be fitted with a semi-automatic gearchange system.

Our 345 longitudinal transaxle is a development of our highly successful IRL unit, again this unit has a sequential gearchange that can be fitted with a semi-automatic gearchange system. This gearbox is currently being installed in to a GTS race car for use in the FIA Sportscar championship and Le Mans.

Costs will be dependant on the specification of the unit and quantities ordered.

If you are attending the PRI show it would be good to meet up with you, for reference Xtrac will be displaying in booth#8533/8535
***************

[Brian Kissel]

Hello Gary !
I will put them on my list of people to contact. When I get back, I'll send you a PM and get your snail mail address and get you whatever brochures, and info available, in the mail.
Regards Brian [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Malcolm]

When our club had a guided tour of the facility Riccardo have in Shoreham UK recently, (some 800 employees on this one site)they showed us the Audi R8 gearbox that was all Riccardo. I have never seen such a tough looking box. Just monster. And Audi could do a gearbox change in 4 minutes! Wow.

Just don't expect one to come cheap!

I think there should be a write up of our visit in the next club mag.

Malcolm

[Ron Earp]

These things look like they could account for a significant percentage of my car investment!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

[Gary Gibbs]

Yes the original cost that was quoted from Ricardo for the transaxles that might work were ~$20k; however, much may have changed with the introduction of the Ford GT. I will bet you that Ford is not paying $20k for the Ricardo unit. I would guess 7.5k - 9k, because one of the reasons that they did not go with the RBT6 was the cost.