LSR Prince Chassis

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D & C Sports Racer

Background

During a period when they were trying out various ideas for DSR designs, Tom Robertson and Pat Prince, of Prince Race Car Engineering, noticed there was an abundance of Van Dieman RF92/96 Formula Continental cars around at reasonable prices. Pat and Tom thought that this chassis would make an excellent "donor" for a motorcycle engined DSR/CSR.

So, Pat developed a new frame layout for the rear section of the Van Dieman chassis that retained the wheelbase and uprights. Pat also reworked the rear rocker assemblies, and redesigned the rear suspension links and rear sway bar. For the front suspension, Pat designed a simple retrofit to raise the roll center and change the motion ratio to make the car easier to set up and drive.

The first chassis was completed for Tony Bronco in Florida, the second for Mike Devins in Michigan And the third for Mike Sirianni.

Bodywork Buck & Molds

Once Mike Devins decided to go with an LSR Prince, he realized he would need a body for this new design. So he talked his friend Clark Lincoln (Lincspeed Design) into working with him to design and develop a sports racer body for the chassis. To facilitate this endeavor, Mike formed Hurley Racing Products.

In January of 2003, Clark began work with Mike in his shop, designing and building a buck for the new body. By March, the semi-complete buck was taken to Designs2 for completion of the buck and molds. They finished the buck, made the molds and the first set of parts by early June 2003.

Bodywork Pieces

Design2 uses a newly developed process and materials which enable these bodies very light and strong. Complete body weight is about 75 lb, and is not vac bagged.

Bodies have been delivered to Tony Bronco and Mike Sirianni for Prince converted chassis, and Jack Banha for another non-Prince conversion.

On September 2, 2004, Mike Devins reported:

"There are now 6 of these bodies sold. 5 of them are on Prince modified chassis, (4) DSR's complete and (1) CSR in process.

Pete Becker just picked up his D from Pat Prince last weekend. The front air intakes that you see in prototype on my car are now in the molds and look even better than the add on pieces that Mike Sirianni and I have been using.

In addition to the body I am now making carbon fiber and Nomex honeycomb splitters, floors and diffusers. Mike tested the new package at Mid Ohio last month and ended up with a second place finish."

Track Time

With the new body mounted and all the running gear that goes under it completed, the car was taken out for testing in July 2003. Testing went fine, but on the first race weekend’s qualifying session, the rear wing mount broke and the car got out of control hitting a particularly nasty FIA curb and was badly damaged. The frame was bent, so it went back to Prince for straightening. Due to Mike's workload, he was unable to get the car back on the track that season.

Next

During the winter of 2003-2004, the LSR group developed a nose modification to improve air management for cooling radiators and brakes. They are looking into tunnel development as well for the future.

Contacts

For chassis inquires or turnkey (ready to drive) cars, call