Swift 016a in Formula Atlantic

[Stan Clayton]

Swift Engineering are applying to homologate their 016a tub in club racing with SCCA. All required crash and quasi-static testing have been successfully completed to FIA F-3 standards, and the SCCA Club Racing Technical Dept has been presented with the required documentation. Swift plan to offer a Toyota 4AGE install kit for club racing, and may also offer lower cost, club-compliant wings, bodywork and uprights to club racing customers.

Potential customers are reminded that homologation does not imply compliance with class rules, and that it is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that the car is fully compliant before presenting it for annual inspection and logbook issuance.

Please contact Swift Engineering for more information.

Stan

[Jonathan Speed]

I have two friends who both work on opposing Pro Atlantic Teams. Both have stated that the 016 is a cheap version of the 014. They state that the cars took in excess of 200 hour each to become race-worthy and complain of poor craftmanship and bodywork that is at best marginal (only one set of molds for the first 40 plus cars). Stan do you see an advantage in the newer chassis? For obvious reasons I won't name the Teams however they are both front runners.

[Stan Clayton]

I have heard that there are three areas where the 016 is clearly superior to earlier cars; its downforce, wheelbase and brakes. The wider sidepods/underwings and bigger front and rear wings build more downforce for higher cornering velocity. The 016's 109" wheelbase is 5" to 6" longer than recent generation cars, which confers some advantages, primarily under braking and acceleration. The PFC Monobloc brake system is generally considered clearly superior to the 014's brakes, which were themselves probably the best brakes ever to appear on an Atlantic when they came out.

On the downside, the car may be difficult to adapt to SCCA FA as its front and rear wings and underwing appear to be wider than the legal SCCA maximums. However, Swift are aware of this and may offer club versions if there is sufficient interest. In any case, those are not homologation issues. Pro teams looking for cheap(er) testing time could simply opt for FS.

Stan

[RussMcB]

When the SCCA is considering a request for homologation, they don't check for legality? Do they only check for safety related items?

I was under the impression when I applied for homologation to run in FS a few years ago that SCCA was checking for class legality. I guess I was mistaken.

Why can't (or why doesn't) SCCA check for legality when a chassis is presented for homologation?

[formulasuper]

When the SCCA is considering a request for homologation, they don't check for legality? Do they only check for safety related items?

I was under the impression when I applied for homologation to run in FS a few years ago that SCCA was checking for class legality. I guess I was mistaken.

Why can't (or why doesn't) SCCA check for legality when a chassis is presented for homologation?

I would guess they (the SCCA homologation guys) figure they can't determine total legality without actually getting their eyes on the car. Seems legality is really policed mostly by your fellow competitors thru the protest procedure, since changes could & usually are made after the homologation process is completed.

[Stan Clayton]

Scott is correct, since owners are free to update/change the car after homologation.

Headed west now...back up on the web Wednesday.

Stan