The car is a Formula Three car from 1998, manufactured by the Italian company Dallara. As such it is referred to as the Dallara F398. As with all F3 cars from the last twenty years it is a carbon monocoque car, using a stressed engine on which the gearbox and rear suspension is hung. At both ends of the car, suspension is double wishbone, using slick racing tyres to provide grip. A full aerodynamic package, with wings, diffusers and airflow conditioners is used front and back to enhance the grip of the tyres. The rear suspension uses three springs (one in roll, two in ride) and two dampers to provide compliance, but at the front a single damper and coil spring is used for ride (a monoshock arrangement), with roll stiffness (compliance?) provided by the monoshock assembly sliding laterally against a stack of belleville washers.
Click Here to see the known history of our car
General Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2611mm
Front Track: 1500mm (wide track)
Rear Track: 1430mm (wide track)
Overall height: 940mm
Overall width: 1750mm
Overall length: 3990mm
Weight: 575kg (with driver)
Front Suspension
Double wishbone, wide track, fully adjustable pushrod suspension with single ‘monoshock’ spring and damper unit and spring washer roll stiffness system. This uses Belleville washers in different configurations to resist roll, with ride being controlled by a single damper and spring (hence monoshock). Typically running around 2.5-3.0 degrees of negative camber, and a small amount of toe-out. MSA regulations stipulate a minimum ride height of 40mm.
Rear Suspension
Double wishbone, wide track, fully adjustable pushrod suspension with dual spring and damper units and conventional torsional anti-roll bar and adjuster blades. Typically we use around 1.0-1.5 degrees of negative camber and some stabilising toe-in. Ride heights vary to promote a good handling balance with good aerodynamic performance.
Chassis
Carbon monocoque; stressed engine and gearbox as designed by Dallara and used by virtually all single seater racing cars these days.
Bodywork
Carbon fibre and GRP mouldings all round. All quickly (!) removable via dzus and camloc fasteners.
Gearbox and differential
5 Speed ‘H-Shift’ racing Hewland gearbox. All the gears are configurable for track and weather conditions.
Hewland Mk5 internals with a bespoke Dallara magnesium casing.
‘Powerflow’ clutch pack limited slip differential with adjustable preload and ramp angles for handling adjustment.
Brakes, wheels and tyres
Steel, vented, floating discs all round with 4-pot Brembo calipers and Girling master cylinders.
13″ diameter magnesium wheels all round, with 9″ width at the front and 10.5″ width at the rear.
180/550R13 A53 slick Avon tyres at the front, 250/570R13 A11 slick Avon tyres at the rear.
Electrical Systems
Racepak IQ3 digital dash datalogger and bespoke wiring harness for all systems.
Replay XD1080 Onboard Camera System recording at 60fps.
Lifeline Zero360 Fire Extinguishing System.
DC Electronics ‘FIA Approved’ rear low visibility light and rain light switch with flashing function
Specialist Components Typhoon ECU
Engine
Toyota 3S-GE Revision 3 engine with 38mm AT-Power throttle bodies, custom inlet and exhaust systems to our design and specifications, 5.5″ twin plate Superclutch, lightweight F3 flywheel and TOM’S dry sump, and a carbon F3 style airbox (with no restrictor), revving to a maximum of 7400rpm. Peak power is approximately 190-195hp at 6500rpm, which is less than several other cars on the grid – sadly we cannot claim to have the most powerful car, although we probably have a torque advantage, under 5000rpm, over those cars.
Performance
Top Speed: Around 152mph depending on gearing and track)
0-100km/h: 3.75 seconds (depending on gearing and driver ability)
Power to weight ratio: 192hp:581kg = 330hp/tonne. Note: The class best is 352hp/tonne
