Reynard Inverter: something very special

Reynard is a name familiar to all motorsports enthusiasts – founded by the brilliant automotive engineer Adrian Reynard, it quickly grew to become the world's largest racing car manufacturer before some financial disasters led it to bankruptcy in 2002. No-one ever questioned Reynard’s abilities to produce remarkably competitive race cars though and now he’s back with a ballistic, road-registerable, two-seater named the Inverter. Powered by either a Honda Fireblade 1000cc motorcycle engine, or a Suzuki Hayabusa 1300cc motor, the Inverter weighs in at 400kg with all fluids and is so named because it has been designed to generate F1-levels of downforce – enough to deliver 4G cornering forces. Given a Hayabusa produces 250 bhp, the Inverter has a power-to-weight ratio in the stratosphere – equivalent to or better than cars that cost an order of magnitude more money. So that’s the equation – F1-levels of downforce, a stellar power-to-weight ratio , oh, and it has been designed to be manufactured VERY cheaply. The Inverter will be very special and very very affordable. Form a queue to the right please!

Initially based at Bicester and latterly at Reynard Park, Brackley, UK, Reynard built successful cars in Formula Ford 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Vauxhall Lotus, Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Champ Car.

Now Reynard and new partner Andre Brown have revived the famous name in a new company and intend to build a two-seat sports car fully compliant with SVA regulations for low volume type approval and capable of being road registered. Designed to compete as a racing car in the 750 Motor Club Bike Sports Championship - this particular vehicle complies with Class C specifications which require a standard Honda Fireblade engine up to 1000cc and a minimum weight including the driver of 475kg. The Inverter, including fluids weighs in at 400kg, leaving 75 kg for driver, helmet and race suit.

The following text was released by Reynard this week at the launch:

Track performance on Avon slicks will provide a 4G lateral cornering experience, until now unachievable outside the top echelons of high performance racing cars like F1. (8"X13" front and 10" X 13' rear wheels) Road performance will provide excellent acceleration with 360 bhp/tonne power to weight ratio with the smallest standard Honda Fireblade engine or 530 bhp/tonne with the Hayabusa 250 bhp engine. For road use the car is equipped with treaded road legal tyres. (7" X 16" front and 9" X 17" rear wheels) Wind tunnel testing has proven that the car with driver can support twice it's own weight at 100 mph and four times its own weight at terminal velocity. The car will drive upside down on a ceiling at 100 mph, hence the name Inverter.

Technical Description

The frame is constructed from laser cut, CNC bent and TIG welded stainless steel tube. Production versions may be robotically welded with MIG. The tubular frame is reinforced with two aluminium honeycomb composite side panels which are riveted into position to enhance torsion capabilities. These panels will be further reinforced by the addition of an outer lamination of Tegris which provides enhanced side- intrusion protection.

The nosebox has been designed in aluminium honeycomb, with the added feature of frontal side protection. This type of composite side protection panel and front crash-box concepts have been tested by Cranfield University and demonstrated excellent energy dissipation properties.

The final drive is accomplished by composite tooth belt. This feature requires no chain lubrication and eliminates the dispersion of grease and oil debris. Reverse gear is applied by 12v electric motor and applied via a simple sprag clutch. Differential is Quaife grease filled unit with production CV joints and driveshafts.

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