Built around Ollie’s stature and dimensions, a carbon-Kevlar Recaro Hans racing seat offers a comfortable position behind the Reverie carbon-fiber steering wheel. Once the Gobstopper II returned from the wind tunnel, RCM continued its preparation of the chassis. To optimize for the lower ride height, RCM custom tubular subframes with adjustable pick up points help to correct for bump steer and improve suspension geometry. To this end, a set of Öhlins TTX46 adjustable dampers absorb the bumps and undulations on track while Eibach springs suspend the chassis and resist the downward pressure of the aero. However, the suspension must also be optimized to push back against the downforce to ensure that adequate travel is maintained for proper handling. To be sure that all of the additional aero enhancements functioned as intended, the chassis was brought to the UK’s only full-scale aerodynamic wind tunnel, the Horiba Mira wind tunnel facility, where the aerodynamics could be validated.Įmploying wind tunnel tested aerodynamics ensures that the 18×11-inch Team Dynamics wheels mounted with Pirelli P-Zero racing slicks stay planted to the tarmac with maximum downforce and as little drag as possible. These pieces were affixed to the chassis and supplemented with a dry carbon-fiber wing, canards and a splitter. Afterwards, Formula 1 aero and body parts manufacturer, KS Composites, fashioned the components out of dry carbon-fiber. During this time, the trunk lid, hood, roof, doors and bumpers were modeled in CAD and proven using CFD software. The complex lattice design of the cage offers both increased rigidity for improved handling and a stout protective barrier for the driver in the case of an incident. The craftsmen at Custom Fabrication fortified and stiffened the stripped shell with a custom cage composed of T45 tubing. Once the GRB shell arrived at RCM, work started on the chassis. The STI chassis features a custom RCM cage composed of T45 alloy tubing Strength & Downforce with Less Weight The objective was to build a Pro Class Time Attack machine, which by UK standards implies that there are few, if any, restrictions holding the build back from being built on the cutting edge of automotive racing technology. Based on a 2008 Subaru WRX STI WRC shell acquired from ProDrive, the Clarks put the GRB chassis through an even more comprehensive build program than they had with the GC8. The next year, the Clark brothers returned to the garage to start on a new project, aptly dubbed “Gobstopper II”. Although the term gobstopper is synonymous with “jawbreaker”, it can also mean “a punch to the jaw.” To the competition, it’s an appropriate name given that this extreme coupe made 780 horsepower at the flywheel and won the overall “Ten of the Best” event at Elvington (in the Northern part of the UK) consecutively from 2007 through 2009, in addition to the Time Attack Pro Champions event in 20. An early RCM time attack build, aptly named Gobstopper, was based on a 1999 GC8 Impreza STI chassis. Under the RCM banner, the Clark brothers have built and raced several extreme Subaru platforms. While Matt handles the engineering side of the business, younger brother Ollie carries on the Clark racing tradition with his own exploits behind the wheel. Text by Richard Fong // Photos by Chris WallbankĬlark Senior’s legacy lives strong in his sons, who carry on the tradition of competition and vehicle tuning services at the family business, Roger Clark Motorsport (RCM). Forging their own path, the brothers have poured their passion into some of the fiercest Subarus on Earth. Before his passing in 1998, Clark shared his triumphs, competitive spirit and passion for racing with his sons Matt and Ollie. He was also Britain’s first competitor to win a World Rally Championship event in 1976. He and his co-driver Jim Porter campaigned successfully in the 1970s, capturing three British Rally Championships and two wins in the UK’s biggest rally race, the RAC Rally. He focused on rally, competing for over 20 years in his native England. Clark competed in a variety of platforms including Ford Escorts, Porsches, Mini Coopers and Triumphs, to name a few. In the case of the late rally driver Roger Clark, it started when he passed his driving test at age 17 and joined the Leicester Car Club. Racing runs in the blood, and for some families it runs deep and to the core.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |