G-Force Technologies
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Company type | Auto racing design and production |
---|---|
Founded | 1991 |
Founder | Chip Ganassi, Ken Anderson |
Defunct | 2004 |
Fate | acquired by Élan Motorsport Technologies |
Headquarters | , |
Website | www |
G-Force Technologies (formerly Chip Ganassi Racing Ltd.) was an American racing car manufacturer originally formed by Americans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The
With major rule changes in the GT in 1999, major manufacturers were no longer able to build homologation specials which resembled prototypes more than true GT cars. Thus Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Panoz, BMW, and Audi turned to the prototypes class, either using open cockpit prototypes or closed cockpit cars which were actually evolutions of their former GT cars. Nissan, believing that a purpose built prototype would be superior to an evolved GT car, decided to go the route of an open cockpit.
Nissan turned to the UK based firm G-Force Technologies to design and build the R391. Nigel Stroud would head up the car's design alongside Doug Skinner as the chief designer. Nissan also formed a partnership with longtime customer of its second hand sportscars,
For the R391, Nissan would decide to use a new version of the VH engine, opting to no longer use turbocharging as they had on the VRH35L. Instead, a modified naturally aspirated version would be constructed, named the VRH50A. At a larger 5.0 liters, the engine was able to overcome the loss of its turbocharging while still maintaining the benefits of the original VRH35L design.
Indy Racing League/IndyCar
First Generation (G-Force GF01)
G-Force began constructing chassis for the
Second Generation (G-Force GF05)
G-Force was once again a constructor for the second generation of IRL cars. G-Force would again visit victory lane in the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 with Chip Ganassi Racing's Juan Pablo Montoya. Élan purchased G-Force in 2002, and the production of the chassis was moved to Braselton for its final season. The second generation G-Force IRL chassis competed in the series from 2000–2002.
Third Generation (Panoz G-Force GF09/GF09B)
Following the 2002 purchase of G-Force,
The car saw early success winning the 2003 Indy 500 with Team Penske's Gil de Ferran and the 2004 Indy 500 with Rahal Letterman Racing's Buddy Rice. Beginning in 2005, the "G-Force" name was dropped in order to focus on the Panoz brand.[3] All design and engineering operations were moved to Elan's facility in Braselton.[4]
During the 2005 season, teams started to abandon the chassis (in favor of the
The GF09 competed for the final time at the
Specifications
- Chassis: Carbon-fiber monocoque
- Airbox shape: Triangle
- Length: 193 in (4,902 mm)
- Height: 37.5 in (952 mm) (excluding roll hoop or camera mount).
- Width: 77.5 to 78.5 in (1,968 to 1,994 mm) (measured outside rim to rim).
- Gearbox: XTRAC #295 gearbox (gears forward of rear axle) Six forward gears, Mega-Line Assisted Gear Shift (paddle-shift).
- Suspension: Pushrod with multilink.
- Engine: Honda Indy V8, 3498 cc, Normally aspirated.
- Fuel: Ethanol.
- Tires: Firestone Firehawk.
References
- ^ "Panoz G Force Aims For Sweep Of Series, Indy Crowns". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 21 November 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "IRL: New Panoz G-Force breaks cover". Auto123.com. 14 December 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ "No more G-Force in IndyCar". Auto123.com. 23 January 2005. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 November 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)