We had a great test yesterday at Phillip Island. We've spent the last month and a bit working away on the finish and final prep of a stunning Swift FB89 restoration. The car ran (99.9%) perfectly all day with a simple issue restricting fuel flow losing us just 4 laps in session 2. A new length of hose had us back on track in minutes.
What an achievement for everyone involved in the project to have everything else go to plan and exceed expectations. The car handled far better than anyone expected, with not a single change needed through the day. We banked a heap of laps in what was intended as a slow speed shakedown test with a brand new car. It wasn't long ago that it was just a bare chassis getting re-welded and repaired.
David Roberts had his first steer in 26 years, ultimately getting into the low 45s with big fuel loads, an astonishing achievement and proving that the Swift can be a really quick car in the right set of hands. It will be interesting to watch a former "Driver-to-Europe" winner compete again in a kent powered Formula Ford at the Island Classic in March!
Well done to all of the Australian small businesses that were involved in the build, each specialising in their field supplying parts and time to produce a great little racing car that was dynamite from lap 1.
High resolution photos are to follow with final livery and a vinyl wrap the next task.
Thanks to Jamie Larner, Larner engines and Ellery Motorsport.