GTRA Roadster

[Gatorac]

GTRAr? GTRR? Whatever, here's a few pics of the finished project. Everything is bolt on bolt off so if I don't like it, I can put the lid back on. Next event if Homestead with Chin in July. It will be nice to have a breeze on me.

[NZGTRA17]

Originally Posted by Gatorac

GTRAr? GTRR? Whatever, here's a few pics of the finished project. Everything is bolt on bolt off so if I don't like it, I can put the lid back on. Next event if Homestead with Chin in July. It will be nice to have a breeze on me.

Thats pretty cool Jim (no pun intended..........). Certainly a striking way of making the rear wing more effective thats for sure!!

Have fun enjoying, hope you have a full face helmet and that it doesnt rain.

Kel.

[Squerly]

Nice job Gatorac. I wonder how it will handle now that the wing is exposed? Might be time for a splitter?

[PanozDuke]

Jim,
Absolutely stunning. It looks so right. I'm very anxious to learn how it performs. How much weight do you think you saved? Just call it the GATOR

Mike

[jmimac351]

It sort of has a resemblance to the P1 car from the past with the longish nose, set back seating, short wing.

Doesn't the windshield create downforce to some degree?

[Gatorac]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

Doesn't the windshield create downforce to some degree?

I think the windshield probably creates more drag then downforce.

[David Eastman]

Jim,

You might think about a small windshield like the FFR spec racer to deflect the wind over your head. I road in Dannys FFR at RA and had to hold on to my helmet because of the wind.

David

[Panoz Paul]

Very Interesting ... Was it easy as un-fastening the roof / etc .??? Did you need to introduce any closure plates , stiffeners or panels ... You may have started a trend !!! Please keep us informed w/ the driving experience ... Thanks / Paul M. Winship

[Gatorac]

My first track day without the roof was a success. I can say that the roof will not be going back on. It was so much cooler. Even in Homestead in July. It was cooler driving the car then sitting in the paddock. I was riding shotgun in McGoverns car all day and got roasted.

It will need a small wind deflector windshield to help reduce the lift on my helmet. That should not be too difficult to make. The car felt pretty much the same as far as handling. Maybe a bit more understeer at higher speeds wich would make sense as the rear wing is in the air.

[Gatorac]

Originally Posted by Panoz Paul

Very Interesting ... Was it easy as un-fastening the roof / etc .??? Did you need to introduce any closure plates , stiffeners or panels ... You may have started a trend !!! Please keep us informed w/ the driving experience ... Thanks / Paul M. Winship

The entire roof unbolts from the car. I had to make some sheet metal panels to fill the gap under the hood and at the front of the deck lid. I added a brace to the side mirror mounts too.

If anyone wants a ride, I'll be at RA the last weekend of August with Chin Motorsports. David will be getting several rides as be doesn't have a choice.

[jmimac351]

Jim, the heat in my car is due to friction with the Earth's atmosphere. Very common for objects moving at a high rate of speed.

[PanozDuke]

Jim.
OK, now you've had some fun. Plans for a splitter? How much weight did you save by removing the top, windshield, wiper and rear window? Any video of the GATOR on track? Photos?

Mike

[Panoz26]

I wonder if lowering the wing or making a lip on the rear deck would reduce the understeer?

[Cobra4B]

That's really awesome... nice work.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Gatorac

If anyone wants a ride, I'll be at RA the last weekend of August with Chin Motorsports. David will be getting several rides as be doesn't have a choice.

Wow, has anyone looked to see how many Panoz's will be at RA for the Chin event?