New TVR racer hits the track
Legendary Tuscan's replacement arrives?
GTF/TVR Monster
As a one-off test for the concept, GTF Motorsport has taken a TVR Tuscan racer and updated it by draping the chassis and drivetrain in a Sagaris-alike GRP body, adding downforce from the rear wing/front splitter and extra grip from Dunlop Racing slicks. It's topped with a strong bespoke roll cage from Roll Centre -- itself an experienced TVR racing organisation.
GTF also plans to launch a second car, the GTF 600R, later this year that'll be an evolution of the car shown here. And that'll be the car you can buy.
The drivetrain, engine, gearbox, differential have been modified specifically for the GTF 600R by ProMaster to ensure maximum power and reliability, with a secure and cost effective supply line for the future. Upfront there will be a modified Chevrolet LS2 6-litre V8 producing in excess of 500bhp with torque curves to match. With an all up race weight of 900Kg, performance will surpass even that of the mighty Tuscan Challenge racer.
It'll sport a dry sump system with engine power transmitted through a low-inertia, twin plate clutch, the standard Chevy flywheel being discarded for a much smaller, lighter component. This allows the LS2 to spin more quickly and its smaller diameter has allowed the engine to sit much lower in the car than would otherwise be possible, improving cornering speeds with a lower centre of gravity.
The 600R will be fitted with a six-speed sequential gearbox, designed for competition use and capable of transmitting 600Nm of torque. A prototype has already been fitted to one racing car and has endured a full season of racing with zero failures. A second generation ‘box has been designed and is now production ready. This features its own internal oil pump, which allows oil to be circulated around a cooling system to keep oil temperature at an acceptable level -- particularly useful for some of the endurance races for which the car has been designed to run.
Finally, a bespoke differential has been designed for the car, using the Ford nine-inch crown wheel and pinion, which are readily available allowing almost any ratio to be chosen. The casing has an internally driven oil pump; again for endurance racing and a viscous type of limited slip unit has been developed for the differential by Ricardo Transmissions. Tests with this unit has proved very successful, giving the car excellent turn in at high speed and allowing early application of power without the front end of the car pushing on.
The current Sagaris by GTF Motorsport and the first GTF 600R will be continuing their development on the circuit in 2007. The cars can be seen racing in the “BRSCC Dunlop Tuscan Challenge” plus selected endurance races this season. So check out the calendar for an event near you and go along and see them in action. They look and sound superb -- and really shift.
Prices can’t be finalised until the car is fully developed and production-ready, said GTF, which described the potential price range as "very attractive indeed. If you drive a Porsche or a Sagaris, you can probably afford one."
- Race proven dynamics
- Reliable (certainly in TVR terms) Powerplant
- Lots of possible tuning options (although 500bhp is probably enough to be starting with
) ....what more could you want.
Now the only question is, would I be able to afford one
do you think they would do trade in on the GF? Mrs Hui
Andy Holden drove the black car... not sure who built it...
Sure it was at Castle Combe... when Cliff "rolled" the Tasmin...
If the S6 was so good why are all the racing Sag's V8's?
*It was Tim Hood in the black Sagaris/Tuscan V8 I saw at Oulton last year.
You're correct, the black one is indeed Tim Hood's. My one is now virtually finished and should be out for testing in Feb'. Andy Holden is also building one for this coming season, not sure how far he's got yet.
In terms of engine etc, to start with, I shall be using the AJP8 with the T5 gearbox and hydratrak diff, pretty much as Tim's black one was last year, although he does have the benefit of a sequential gear box which is brilliant. As it's an updated evolution of the Tuscan Challenge car, no thought was ever put to using the speed 6 engine for racing them, but simply keeping the race engine as it is now. However, the move to the chevy engine could be very interesting indeed and should certainly enable to car to be competitive with endurance racing and not just 20 min sprints.
Should be a very exciting year ahead. See you at the tracks. Cheers,
Steve
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=265601&f=38&h=0
Mrs Hui
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=265601&f=38&h=0
Mrs Hui
I'll get me coat...
- Race proven dynamics
- Reliable (certainly in TVR terms) Powerplant
- Lots of possible tuning options (although 500bhp is probably enough to be starting with
) ....what more could you want.
Now the only question is, would I be able to afford one
do you think they would do trade in on the GF? Was thinking the same thing when I read it, as for trading in the GF not sure but could depend on look/mileage etc
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