Sigh .....
Superlite Aero
- Thread starter J. Miller
- Start date
Scott
Lifetime Supporter
The Aero is a turnkey spec race car designed to fit into at least two race groups at NASA events. A Superlite Aero specs series would be a lot of fun… with those looks/aero and a better power to weight than the current LMP-C cars I’d have one on order if there was a track near me.
There’s even a value proposition for the family CEO… “look sweetie, it’s done and I’m not allowed to ‘improve’ it – really”
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RCR has 13 vintage cars with another in the works and Superlite has 6 modern cars. Of those 6, two are two-seat race cars and another has a tandem option. I have to imagine that it would be a massive amount of work to add a seat and maintain similar aero qualities. And, as soon as you put two seats in it people want to run it on the street which leads to interior pieces, rear window vents, self-build kits, etc. all of which significantly increases development costs.
What RCR/Superlite doesn’t have is a turnkey, single-seat, spec-series race car. The Aero fits that mission. Putting a second seat in the Aero is like asking to put a jump seat in the back of a Ford GTJ
There’s even a value proposition for the family CEO… “look sweetie, it’s done and I’m not allowed to ‘improve’ it – really”
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></o> RCR has 13 vintage cars with another in the works and Superlite has 6 modern cars. Of those 6, two are two-seat race cars and another has a tandem option. I have to imagine that it would be a massive amount of work to add a seat and maintain similar aero qualities. And, as soon as you put two seats in it people want to run it on the street which leads to interior pieces, rear window vents, self-build kits, etc. all of which significantly increases development costs.
What RCR/Superlite doesn’t have is a turnkey, single-seat, spec-series race car. The Aero fits that mission. Putting a second seat in the Aero is like asking to put a jump seat in the back of a Ford GTJ
It would be great to see this car built under the same concept that Elan is building their prototype i.e. economical to maintain, a body with easily replaceable parts, common components i.e. brake parts, suspension parts, etc. to allow for a reduced spare inventory. It would be perfect for a spec class.
I love the concept of the NASA Elan prototype and from the looks of the reviews, so do people who have driven them, except in one area - power. Randy Pobst did an extensive writeup and he was looking for more power. At 185 and 1500#s it will be a blast through the corner but less than thrilling down the straights (IMHO). Racing an Elan with mixed classes will probably be a bit frustrating for everyone as they will get bottled up behind others in the corners and won't have the power down the straights to get away and will probably be passed by higher horsepower cars on the straight only to get bottled up in the next corner. Anyone whose raced a heavy higher horsepower car with miatas on the track has gone through this. It is frustrating for everyone.
I think the Aero will be the perfect combination of power and handling, and at FULLY BUILT at $10,000 less than the Elan KIT Price, I'd much rather have an Aero.
I love the concept of the NASA Elan prototype and from the looks of the reviews, so do people who have driven them, except in one area - power. Randy Pobst did an extensive writeup and he was looking for more power. At 185 and 1500#s it will be a blast through the corner but less than thrilling down the straights (IMHO). Racing an Elan with mixed classes will probably be a bit frustrating for everyone as they will get bottled up behind others in the corners and won't have the power down the straights to get away and will probably be passed by higher horsepower cars on the straight only to get bottled up in the next corner. Anyone whose raced a heavy higher horsepower car with miatas on the track has gone through this. It is frustrating for everyone.
I think the Aero will be the perfect combination of power and handling, and at FULLY BUILT at $10,000 less than the Elan KIT Price, I'd much rather have an Aero.
Robert
you have hit the nail on the head....hence the Aero being V8 LS3 powered.
The serviceability of the car will be simple and second to none appealing to a wide range of racers
you have hit the nail on the head....hence the Aero being V8 LS3 powered.
The serviceability of the car will be simple and second to none appealing to a wide range of racers
Any definitive idea what the current ETA is for a working prototype?
How about initial deliveries?
How about initial deliveries?
We spent a long time working on the body shape and aerodynamics of the car.
The revised CNC cut bodybuck will be back in house next week.
Chassis, drivetrain , cooling packaging all completed...so its been agonizing getting the body just right and we are now there...
Target date to hit the track will be April when the mid-west weather breaks.
The revised CNC cut bodybuck will be back in house next week.
Chassis, drivetrain , cooling packaging all completed...so its been agonizing getting the body just right and we are now there...
Target date to hit the track will be April when the mid-west weather breaks.
Have you reached out to NASA about a spec series?
The only problem I see is they are full on board with the ELAN .
IMHO they should be happy to add another spec class, except for the fact that they know that once this car comes out no one will want to buy a more expensive car with half the horsepower and their new prized spec class will be dead before it starts.
what tires are you looking at? Any TOYO options? TOYO just signed on with NASA for several more years, so I know anything they get involved in, they will want TOYO to be the spec tire.
The only problem I see is they are full on board with the ELAN .
IMHO they should be happy to add another spec class, except for the fact that they know that once this car comes out no one will want to buy a more expensive car with half the horsepower and their new prized spec class will be dead before it starts.
what tires are you looking at? Any TOYO options? TOYO just signed on with NASA for several more years, so I know anything they get involved in, they will want TOYO to be the spec tire.
We don't have to have any race series approval to run a spec series as we will be policing the ECU/limiter ourselves...and have our own rules package etc...
That said we have designed the car to fit into ST1 ,so should you turn up and be the only Aero..you will not be an island and still be able to win ST1.
My current tyre of choice is the Hoosier R7/A7...we have lots of experience with them.
That said we have designed the car to fit into ST1 ,so should you turn up and be the only Aero..you will not be an island and still be able to win ST1.
My current tyre of choice is the Hoosier R7/A7...we have lots of experience with them.
Just little update...
Our final body shape has just finished being CNC machined full scale and we are on track to have the cars on track by the end of April...or darn close.
Anyone interested in a teaser of the final shape ?
Our final body shape has just finished being CNC machined full scale and we are on track to have the cars on track by the end of April...or darn close.
Anyone interested in a teaser of the final shape ?
Howard Jones
Supporter
hell ya
absolutely! please.
It does by a country mile
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