Thought you folks would dig this.

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:02 AM

The project at Swift that has kept me extremely busy is our latest chassis, the 017.n. It’s designed and built for an all Japanese racing series called Formula Nippon.

After a year of design and two months of assembly, the first two cars, one Honda powered, the other Toyota hit ground at 3:30am on August 8th. for the first time after the typical mad thrash of that week where everything arrived to assemble the two test cars literally daily up through the 8th. Another new racecar is born.

These are powered by Honda or Toyota 3.4L v-8’s naturally aspirated purpose built racing engines producing 600 hp. This car will weigh around 1575lbs complete. Lots of aero downforce.

Then, later on the 8th both cars were crated and air freighted to Japan that night. The following Tuesday, I met the cars and customers in Japan for the next 8 days. The last two days were spent testing on-track at Fuji Circuit.

Some random images...

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:04 AM

Notes from the trip:

Just past midnight here, tired from working today just outside of Tokyo in a city called Asaka, not the big one Osaka.

I was checking out a book store in Ginza, a suburb of Tokyo and came across this magazine. Cool!! Had to buy it despite not being able to read it, and the fact it cost $15.00!

Anyhow, couldnt resist

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:06 AM

Images from M-Tec formally known as Mugen Honda. Very nice lobby with a few F-1 cars, rather complete cars and engines on display stands.

View from 21st floor of hotel in Ginza city:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are some images from Fridays travel to Gotemba city, where the Toyota factory team called Tom's is located:

One hour and a half bullet train ride from Ginza to Mishima. From Mishima we rented a car to travel to Gotemba.

rental car:

Racing transporter

Very small hotel room

Another heated toilet with built in parts washer

Tomorrow is more race prep at Tom's on the 017.n while workers prep the Lola FN chassis as well as several Dallara F3 cars -- very nice cars as well!!

The Toyota 017.n was started for the first time with the 'race' engine install and after their race prep. They seem to have done a tidy job as well!! The car was run through the gears with all drivetrain installed, ready to go.

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:07 AM

Forgot to add I am really digging these little box cars -- cars that make my xB look huge!

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:07 AM

An update:

after uber long days, the cars have finally hit the track today at Fuji Circuit, an extremely nice racetrack. F1 races here, so not really surprising.

Some images and video clips:

Roll out of one of the two test cars:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=2EZy1GBtb24

fly by:

chris walrod · 08-28-2008, 02:20 AM

some track pics -- testing concluded today, travel home tomorrow -- cannot wait to get back home -- been gone way too long!!

Some lead follow aero testing today
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=wQl6mE5WKa4

earlyapex · 08-28-2008, 02:28 AM

Beautiful car. The front wing looks unique.

Greg Smith · 08-28-2008, 02:58 AM

AWESOME.

dmoffitt · 08-28-2008, 03:48 AM

darn right I dig it!!

DarkSideDE · 08-28-2008, 07:29 AM

Thank you - what an experience!
Have you thought about writing it up for a magazine?

SeanR · 08-28-2008, 07:49 AM

I

Want

Your

Job.

Nice pics and vids.

sleder · 08-28-2008, 08:05 AM

That was GREAT! Thank you for sharing!

Veloce Raptor · 08-28-2008, 09:16 AM

New car is beautiful, Chris!

Can you hook me up a test drive?

Flying Finn · 08-28-2008, 09:56 AM

Very cool!

I used to follow Formula Nippon those three years in 90's when Mika Salo drove there, it's a good open wheel series.

ilko · 08-28-2008, 11:10 AM

very cool thanks for sharing

08-28-2008, 02:04 AM	#2
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 15,431	Notes from the trip: Just past midnight here, tired from working today just outside of Tokyo in a city called Asaka, not the big one Osaka. I was checking out a book store in Ginza, a suburb of Tokyo and came across this magazine. Cool!! Had to buy it despite not being able to read it, and the fact it cost $15.00! Anyhow, couldnt resist __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Latest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlDz8utL94 http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Interesting -- yes, it was snowing Last edited by chris walrod; 10-23-2008 at 04:47 PM.

08-28-2008, 02:06 AM	#3
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 15,431	Images from M-Tec formally known as Mugen Honda. Very nice lobby with a few F-1 cars, rather complete cars and engines on display stands. View from 21st floor of hotel in Ginza city: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some images from Fridays travel to Gotemba city, where the Toyota factory team called Tom's is located: One hour and a half bullet train ride from Ginza to Mishima. From Mishima we rented a car to travel to Gotemba. rental car: Racing transporter Very small hotel room Another heated toilet with built in parts washer Tomorrow is more race prep at Tom's on the 017.n while workers prep the Lola FN chassis as well as several Dallara F3 cars -- very nice cars as well!! The Toyota 017.n was started for the first time with the 'race' engine install and after their race prep. They seem to have done a tidy job as well!! The car was run through the gears with all drivetrain installed, ready to go. __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Latest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlDz8utL94 http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Interesting -- yes, it was snowing

08-28-2008, 02:07 AM	#4
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 15,431	Forgot to add I am really digging these little box cars -- cars that make my xB look huge! __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Latest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlDz8utL94 http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Interesting -- yes, it was snowing

08-28-2008, 02:07 AM	#5
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 15,431	An update: after uber long days, the cars have finally hit the track today at Fuji Circuit, an extremely nice racetrack. F1 races here, so not really surprising. Some images and video clips: Roll out of one of the two test cars: http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=2EZy1GBtb24 fly by: __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Latest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlDz8utL94 http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Interesting -- yes, it was snowing Last edited by chris walrod; 10-23-2008 at 04:48 PM.

08-28-2008, 02:20 AM	#6
chris walrod Guru Lifetime Rennlist Member Rennlist Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: yorba linda, ca Posts: 15,431	some track pics -- testing concluded today, travel home tomorrow -- cannot wait to get back home -- been gone way too long!! Some lead follow aero testing today http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=wQl6mE5WKa4 __________________ Is this a great place or what? Chris 97 993 twin "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Latest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlDz8utL94 http://www.swiftengineering.com/ Interesting -- yes, it was snowing

08-28-2008, 02:28 AM	#7
earlyapex Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 2,964	Beautiful car. The front wing looks unique. __________________ Eric 1978 911SC, PRC/PCA spec 911 1998 C2S #33 Lifelong copilot

08-28-2008, 02:58 AM	#8
Greg Smith User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,346	AWESOME.

08-28-2008, 03:48 AM	#9
dmoffitt User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,918	darn right I dig it!!

08-28-2008, 07:29 AM	#10
DarkSideDE User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bluffton, SC Posts: 626	Thank you - what an experience! Have you thought about writing it up for a magazine?

08-28-2008, 07:49 AM	#11
SeanR Running up the Odo' Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 22,535	I Want Your Job. Nice pics and vids. __________________ http://www.928srus.com/ Marine Blue '88: Supercharged, Gates Racing belt, Porken Tensioner, Ott drop links and all sorts of other cool stuff and a big *** dent.

08-28-2008, 08:05 AM	#12
sleder Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 1,103	That was GREAT! Thank you for sharing! __________________ 08 Cayman S 2012 - 2500 Cummins Crew Cab Longhorne 10 - 24 Haulmark Edge Nationally Certified Instructor Past Flames 90 - 964 88 3.6ltr Coupe 87 Coupe 86 Coupe 88 944 60 356 cabrio

08-28-2008, 09:16 AM	#13
Veloce Raptor Torque Monster Rennlist Member Small Business Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CLASSIFIED Posts: 29,797	New car is beautiful, Chris! Can you hook me up a test drive? __________________ . Professional Racing & Driving Coach www.racecoach.net

08-28-2008, 09:56 AM	#14
Flying Finn King of Cool Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Miami Beach, FL Posts: 13,784	Very cool! I used to follow Formula Nippon those three years in 90's when Mika Salo drove there, it's a good open wheel series. __________________ Flying Finn DCI - DRIVER'S CLUB INTERNATIONAL Team drift and slow line coach under Chief Instructor Eric / Driver, "Hey, wait for me" Racing "it's better to be a RACER for a moment than a SPECTATOR for life" 1995 993 Carrera 2 1968 Ford F-100 Hot Rod Truck 1973 Fiat 600 Abarth Convertible 1998 Jeep Wrangler 2001 Buell X1 Lightning 1980 KTM 250

08-28-2008, 11:10 AM	#15
ilko Agent Orange Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The Highest Point on Manhattan Posts: 11,399	very cool thanks for sharing __________________ Current: *997 turbo* - RS Orange B7 S4 Avant - JHM V8 family hauler** Wish I still had: 993 Carrera 4S - my mistress with wide hips 964 RS America #17 - supercharged flame thrower 964 Carrera 4 - met its match at Lime Rock 944 turbo - 32K mile garage queen

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