I’m not very good at sitting still. Having built my buggy and the go-kart, I felt like I was up for something about more interesting and competitive. So here we go.

Present specs are as follows…

Wheelbase = 2100mm
Track = 1400mm
Height = 1200mm approx
Weight = 400-480kg (Racing weight)
Chassis style = Mid Mount Engine/Rear Drive.
Engine = 1600cc Type 3 VW TP Aircooled boxer.
Gearbox = VW Transaxle 4 Speed.
Suspension = Front VW Beam IFS, Rear VW Swingaxles.

Here is what I have so far. There are two swingaxle gearboxes under my house. The VW engine is in my garage and is one of the fuel injected engines from the mid 70s. It needs to be freshened up but apart from that it is good nic. All I have to find a ball joint front end, (I’d like discs and adjustable camber) and I’m set to go. However there’s no rush. I don’t plan to race the car until the beginning of 2007 in reality. The experience of building my buggy has taught me a lot about designing things properly and setting up the car’s chassis for exactly what you want out it. I realise I really rushed bits of the buggy and I want to take my time and really get the best out of this one.

This is what I want. The feel and dynamics of a 60’s Porsche RS60. The only twist is that the car is to be a single seat open wheeler. The interesting thing is that Formula Vees share much with the RS60, a forefather if you will. Beam front, rear swing axle, almost identical wheelbase and trackwidth. It will come as no surprise then that my car is to be based heavily on formula vees with the notable inclusion of more ground clearance and different tyres. My aim then is to have the car driven with the throttle and chassis. I am planning the weld up the diff and leave out the turning brakes.

The motor will be highly balanced and eventually EFI/turboed and intercooled. The VW engine has most of the manifolding for the EFI. The turbo will be the challenge. However, for the moment the chassis is the challenge. This is what I have so far...

Ie. Not much. And this is something like what I am aiming for...

Bearing in mind that the second car is a 'motorkhana' special rather than a khanacross special. The difference is probably subtle, but there you go.

In the next few months I will be putting together a few different chassis designs whilest trying to remember how CAD works again. I'll also have to talk to a CAMS scruttineer at some point as I want to be able to do the odd clubsprint or hillclimb in the car if I have the opportunity. Feel free to drop me a line if you have any good ideas. They are all much appreciated. Till next time...