PACE INNOVATION’S ULTIMATE BUILD

Pace Innovation’s Ultimate Build – Artwork: Supplied

The team behind the chassis designs of Supercars and MARC Cars Australia are currently undertaking a project that is set to demonstrate its capabilities with the build of Pete Ingram’s Mazda RX-7 Sports Sedan.

By HEATH McALPINE

Yes, there are no motorsport events being held currently, it doesn’t mean that the industry has stopped. The forced break has allowed teams to complete work on projects that have been a labour of love.

This project is not one of those, but has come together rather quickly. A former Improved Production car racer, Ingram viewed a PACE-developed MARC Car at the Bathurst 12 Hour this year immediately engaging the Queensland-based design, engineering and fabrication company to produce a rapid Sports Sedan.

“I went with PACE, I knew of them because for the MARC Cars,” Ingram explained. “A fellow competitor in Improved Production, Tony Groves bought a MARC Mazda 3 and I was at the Bathurst 12 Hour having a look over that car. I was really impressed with the way it was built.”

The team headed by Paul Ceprnich and Reuben Laurenson gave Ingram an in-depth proposal outlining PACE’s plans for the build and the project begun. As a Mazda nut, Ingram wanted his new Sports Sedan to utilise the FD3S RX-7 shape and the 20B rotary engine.

Knowing these stipulations, PACE went about designing the geometry first, before turning its attention to the engine, chassis and transaxle, a difference that Ingram believes will give the RX-7 the winning edge.

“One really interesting thing with PACE Innovations and the way it designed the car was a lot of Sports Sedans are built around the chassis,” Ingram explained to Auto Action.

“There is a lot of time spent in CAD making the chassis stiff then fit everything into it. Whereas PACE’s philosophy is to design the suspension geometry first, then place all the items you can’t change such as engine, the exhaust, transaxle, so in effect the car is built backwards. Then the chassis is designed to fit around those items, so the geometry is not compromised.”

The same Albans transaxle used in the MARC Mustang II is carried over to the RX-7 incorporating the bell housing, flywheel, starter motor and alternator to further enhance weight distribution.

A pneumatic 6-speed paddleshift not only is a cool addition, but aims to extend the life and service intervals.

The 20B engine is already fitted in the chassis, but PACE is waiting for the latest specification Garret G-Series turbo, while Australian cooling systems manufacturer PWR has developed the radiator and intercooler. It also features a billet intake manifold, which according to Ingram is a piece of art.

“Mazda have a standard one and although it will make the power it doesn’t flow the air,” Ingram said. “A lot of work went into the design of the replacement to make sure it’s practical.

“We can adjust the runners to move the powerband by unbolting half of the manifold and then the bell mouths clip out and are held in with a detent system.”

MoTeC electronics are throughout and sensors are placed throughout the car for engineering purposes, a lot of work has gone into that area.

The custom designed inboard suspension componentry features Ohlins four-way through-rod dampers all round with PACE cantilever piston system.

Brembo provide the stopping power and bespoke rims hide these as do the wheel arches, which have been designed to control the air flow. These aid in providing increased front downforce as will the PACE-designed front splitter, while a flat floor, rear diffuser and rear wing, which will be used as the project is being developed.

It is envisioned that the RX-7 will be ready by the time racing starts back up again, however a rigorous testing campaign lays ahead for Ingram and PACE.

“We’re going to go through a fairly comprehensive testing and engineering program before the car goes out and races,” Ingram told Auto Action. “It won’t see a race until the car is set-up and doing exactly what we want it to do.

“PACE is really keen to be involved with the car and make sure it does what it was built to do. The team are really excited about the car, PACE has put so much into the build that it wants to see it achieve on track as well.”

Ingram admitted the RX-7 is at a higher specification than originally planned, but the results from the data available point towards this being one of the fastest tin-tops in the country.

“PACE has data off all the cars it has produced and are confident that this one is going to be substantially faster than anything else it has built,” Ingram enthused.

“It should be pretty fast!”

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