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Back to June 2011 Motorsports News Archive
| 27-06-2011 at 09:00: Lowndes and PWR Almost Set for Safari | |
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Lowndes will drive a brand new modified Holden Colorado with a LS1 V8 producing 440HP at 6000RPM. Lowndes has been dropping into PWR to add his input to the build, PWR are building this beast from the chassis up. With the 2011 Australasian Safari now on the horizon the build is nearing completion. Initially the chassis was completely stripped bare, and then through a combination of Mig and Tig welding the chassis was strengthened to withstand the huge demands that will be placed on the Colorado when Lowndes is flying through the bush at speeds up to 200kph. In addition to this, the chassis was modified to give the Colorado better ground clearance. Once the diff housing, engine mounts and steering rack were installed the LS1 V8 was dropped in to check clearance. A trial fitment of the engine gear box and drive assembly was also required to ensure all angles were correct. Suspension came next and Lowndes was around to check clearance and ensure the bump stop was correctly installed to make sure the Colorado doesn’t bottom out when in the rugged race environment. When racing through the bush there is more stress put on the vehicle which transpires to the rear suspension so it’s important to have all shocks in a vertical position allowing adequate clearance for the shocks to work their full travel, further modification to the chassis was required to accommodate this. Another important step was the custom fabrication of the fuel tank brace which is customised to get the weight lower in the car. The fuel cell has a 350L capacity which is required for the long distances travelled in each leg of the Safari. The Colorado has custom wheel, shovel and jack mounting to facilitate quick stops when these items are required.
Weight reduction designs are paramount to the success of the Colorado and need to be considered in every design. Another innovative design is the remote oil filter mount which is 100% machined out of billet aluminium. The machine shop has also improved vehicle safety; billet clamps have been machined and will be secured to the roll cage to make sure the neck harness stays in position and doesn’t walk up the roll cage. The Colorado Build will be complete by late July to commence testing. The Australasian Safari commences on the 22nd September 2011. |
PWR Holden Rally will defend the 2010 Australasian Safari this year with a two car team., piloted by current V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes and former V8 Supercar driver Paul Weel. These two drivers will go head to head with their skills put to the test in the bush by the unique challenges that the Safari throws at its drivers.
The machine shop at PWR has been busy over recent weeks keeping up with the build. In addition to the usual machined components including ring gear, rotor hats, caliper brackets and fly wheel etc. etc. PWR have designed and machined numerous innovative fittings to suit the specific requirements of the PWR Holden Colorado. One trick billet addition is the lightweight quick release billet shovel fastener.^ Back to top ^
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