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the formula volkswagen class (formula vee) started in 1959 in the usa when the late herbert brundage who was the southeastern us vw distributor.
he apparently saw the potential to construct what he considered 'a poor man's race car', and commissioned the italian firm 'nardi' to build a single seat,
open wheeled race car out of vw components. the target was a car kit for less than $1,000, including body, frame, instruments, and seat.
the buyer was expected to add a volkswagen front axle wheel assembly and the stock rear engine transaxle wheel assembly flipped around to be mid-engine,
all salvaged at low cost. the nardi was built for the international formula junior class based on vw parts. the first results were far from spectacular.
the car was modified to build the 'formcar' which resulted in the basic formula vee racing car. they used the nardi as a model, and began constructing and
selling as cheaply as possible, the 'formcar'. their idea was to promote a low cost race car, and launch a new class. the formcar builders never intended
to allow other designs; they wanted the class to be like spec racer.
i purchased from gary emory in 2002 a 'new yet un-built formcar kit;. his 'new yet un-built formcar kit' was an abused frame, a new body, and about 12
boxes of misc. parts. i know because i purchased the lot and trucked it all back to los gatos. it required a lot of work, but in the end it was just the
kind of project i was looking for. after completing a frame up restoration i will finally get to race it in 2012.
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the lynx a represented a new concept in formula vee design. its introduction was the beginning of a different look for formula vees on the courses.
incorporated in the lynx where features found in the new formula i and ii cars of the time. moreover, the lynx a still maintained the low cost objective
of its class. they developed the lynx a formula vee to look more appealing by present day formula race car standards as well as being more functional.
i purchased the frame and body as a partial kit. i finished building the frame and all the required elements. i raced the car in multiple races 1968
and 1969 in the ohio area.
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the ferrari 360 is a mid-engine midsize two-seater sports car produced from late 1999 until 2005. for the 360, ferrari partnered with alcoa to produce
an entirely new all-aluminum space-frame chassis that was 40% stiffer than the f355, yet 28% lighter despite a 10% increase in overall dimensions.
along with the new frame was a new pininfarina body styling that broke ranks with the last decade's sharp angles and flip-up headlights, replacing them
with a rounded appearance that harkened to the 1960s. the new v8 engine, common to all versions, was only slightly larger and more powerful than the
f355's at 3.6 litres and 400 bhp (300 kw) of power, but the lighter frame and added stiffness improved performance; the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph)
acceleration performance improved from 4.6 to 4.2 seconds.
i believe that this model in the most beautiful ferrari built. this ferrari and i did a two day nasa (national auto sport association) track day at
infineon raceway in 2011. this was a 'hoot'. however, i think i'll retire the ferrari to enjoyment on the street.
3.6 liter v8 - 400 hp & 276 lb-ft of torque - curb weight: 3,197 lbs - 0 to 60 4.20 sec
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the 2015 lexus rc f is a high-performance rear-drive coupe and is the range-topping variant of the rc lineup. the two-door is powered by 5.0-liter v-8
that's paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a torque vectoring differential (tvd) with three operating modes, standard, slalom, or track.
front and rear coil-spring independent suspension, monotube gas-filled shock absorbers, ball-jointed stabilizer bars, with 19-inch diameter forged
aluminum wheels.
5.0 liter v8 - 472 hp & 389 lb-ft of torque - curb weight: 3,958 lbs - 0 to 60 4.20 sec
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once a race car, then a special edition, the grand sport has become the corvette’s top-selling trim. after a drive in the c7 version, i understand why.
it’s certainly not a ferocious factory racing machine, as the first blistered and vented grand sport was in 1963. and it’s not the wrapper in
which a new version of the chevy small-block v-8 is presented. that was true of the 1996 grand sport, the vehicle first to bear the lt4 engine
that stoked the embers at the end of the c4’s life. one look at the new gs’s muscled glutes and you’ll know it’s something more than just a
trim and paint job.
i have not yet tried this car on the trrack. however it has all the indication that it will be a winner.
6.2-liter v8 - 455 hp & 460 lb-ft of torque - curb weight: 3,582 lbs - 0 to 60 3.70 sec
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how to make money on amazon doing reviews
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the bmw r1200rt sport/touring motorcycle arrived in 2005. the design of this model is completely different from its predecessor with a 15% boost in power,
44 ft-lb weight saving, optional electronic suspension adjustment (esa) and on-board computer. the standard electrically operated windscreen can be
adjusted across a large range of heights. the servo powered abs brakes on the rt are partially integrated such that the rear brake pedal only applies
the rear brake while the front brake lever applies both brakes.
this is still my favorite “track day” motorcycle. it is responsive, has plenty of power, and handles like a dream. i have been doing track days with
>www.classrides.com since 2002.
they provide a safe, fast environment to test and improve your skill at both infineon raceway and mazda laguna seca.
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to contact me with questions or comments, send e-mail to
ron@hankison.com
copyright © 1996 - 2019, ron hankison. all rights reserved. this page was last modified -- 12/31/2019
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