Reynard Inverter: something very special

Andre spent 18 months in Indianapolis during which time he participated in engineering design and wind tunnel development whilst also promoting technical sales at the Auto Research Center, Indianapolis.

Adrian contemplated two theories: ways to manufacture at much lower cost and Adrian had never made a road car. Adrian had also been influenced by building a Caterham Seven which he drove at BRDC Track Day events at Silverstone. With his lifetime experience of the industry, Adrian realised that the 750MC was still actively promoting various low cost formulae. For further reconnaissance, Adrian purchased an old Fisher Fury with a Honda motorcycle engine and enjoyed the 12,000 rpm track and road experience.

At the end of 2007, a new Reynard sports car was conceived to meet the 750MC Bikesports Championship regulations and would be the first ever Reynard car registered for road use. The car was to be smallest in class at 1.5m wide, simple, light, and easy to make by automated/CNC/robotic techniques.

Aerodynamics are relatively free in Bike Sports formula, so it was particularly attractive for Adrian and Andre to use the knowledge learned in Indy. Andre built a 50% scale model and this was evaluated during 'downtime' at the ARC wind tunnel facility.

The shape and form of the car evolved. The car was developed for high efficiency, so it was natural that the cross sectional area tapered toward the rear. The car also featured a shaped underbody that produced 'ground effect' down force but with little drag induced.

A design office was donated at the Honda F1 facility and the concepts were turned into CAD. Over the months Andre and Adrian forged the design parameters into real engineering drawings. Manufacturability was a common denominator. Keeping cost under control was a constant reminder.

Andre produced the final body surfaces derived from the wind tunnel model and these were routed by a full size CNC machining centre to produce the bodywork buck. The chassis and suspension parts were fabricated by Brady Fabrications of Bicester.

The car was realised during the first week of January 2009, nearly a year after work was commenced on the project. It has been an important goal to keep the 'sunk costs' to a minimum. Many car "projects" have unrealistic expectations with over optimistic manufacturing costs and sales forecasts.

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