Racefab Chassis

C & D Sports Racer

Model

These images of the quarter scale model were found on the Racefab Inc. website.

Questions & Answers

Q) What features does the Racefab have that will enhance it's performance?

A) *Relocating the driver rearward not only improves safety, but also gives a better weight distribution, this means better handling.

*The wider (72") width gives greater stability in the corners.

*Getting the drivers feet out of the way allowed Racefab to increase the length of the control arms by 30% to a centerline to centerline length of 29 1/2". The increased length means less angular change for a given chassis movement resulting in increased consistency in roll center location and swing axle length, better handling.

*Racefab's front upright design allow low kingpin angle while still achieving zero scrub radius and zero castor radius. With this design the tire tread surface is not dragged or scrubbed across the track surface, but is pivoted at the tire center as one would expect. The tires grip better, last longer and a softer tire can be used than a car with this.

*Rising rate suspension allows a softer spring rate without bottoming. this gives a softer more subtle ride not affected by track imperfections as much.

*The semi-monocoque chassis design is as much as 10 times stiffer than a space frame. This results in a chassis that doesn't twist back and forth as the suspension loading changes. This reduces chassis fatigue, maintains corner weight settings and keeps suspension points in their proper perspective in relation to one another while dynamic load.

*The 100" wheelbase gives high-speed stability and provides an optimal 1.6 - 1 wheelbase to track width ratio.

*The bodies low drag shape with it's aluminum panels are a case of modern aerodynamics meeting old world craftsmanship allowing this finely crafted car to slice through the air with adjustable wings fore & aft to balance the car to achieve the perfect setup.

*Low polar moment of inertia. The weight is located between the tires. This makes the car easy to drive and regain control when finding oneself out of shape.

*Central mounted fuel cell lessens effects of diminishing fuel weight on the handling of the car.

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Q) Why an aluminum body?

A)*Just as it is used in some aircraft bodies, aluminum is a viable alternative to fiberglass.

*Specific stiffness is one reason. when comparing an aluminum fabricated body to a fiberglass body you will find that aluminum has a much higher specific stiffness, or stiffness to weight ratio, than the woven E-glass fiber in polyester resin that is used predominately in sports racer bodies. When compared to uni-directional S-2 glass fiber in epoxy resin, aluminum approximately matches it. The aluminum is actually lighter weight and stronger than most fiberglass sports racer bodies.

*Double Duty - the aluminum panels that attach to the chassis structure acts not only as a chassis stiffener turning the space frame into a semi-monocoque, but also serves the dual roll of body panels. This is another way of increasing strength while reducing weight.

*Yes, it takes a great deal of skill to create aluminum bodies, it brings to mind the legendary race cars of yesteryear like Troutman & Barnes and Lujie Leskovisky where shaping the metal into speed creations of beauty. This tradition led Racefab's craftsmen to offer as an alternative this aluminum body. However, for those who prefer fiberglass we can accommodate them too.