The Ultimate MKII Escort Circuit Racer
- 680 BHP twin turbo Ford based V6
- 900 kgs
- 7 speed paddle-shift Transaxle
- Carbon fibre brakes
- Carbon fibre body
- Full aero package
This project is 85% complete and we are in the process of first fixing it, we would at this stage like to involve a customer /partner to see the project through to completion and with that share the experience of testing what must be the worlds most extreme MKII Escort. We already have a number of top flight drivers lined up to help test the car and its aero capabilities. This will help us develop a car which can be driven at a down force level many people may not comprehend.
After building Colin Mcraes MK11 Escort , which was hailed as the ultimate MK11 Escort rally car, we decided to start and build an ultimate MK11 Escort circuit car, the project was initially going to be a showcase for all that we do , however some may say we got a little carried away!
We wanted the car to be based on the 1970,s icon , with all of the Zakspeed Escort and Capri influence we could use , but lift the project in the 21st century in terms of a styling rework and available materials (Carbon fibre),whilst allowing for a serious under and over car aero upgrade , it was decided to base the bodywork albeit loosely on the RS2000 custom , this would allow us to slope the bonnet and increase the already sloped front on the RS2000 custom front end to give the Escort look but with an aero dynamic advantage. It uses the actual RS2000 custom bonnet shape including the bulge , but with 2 intercooler airflow outlets to again help with the aero / down force gains. Carbon fibre is used in every facet of the car , bodywork , carbon honeycomb floor , brake, clutch and throttle pedals, steering wheel, brake discs , pads and all aero duct work.
There are 2 types of aero dynamics devices that aren’t easy to spot ,one is the lower b pillar ‘base bleed ’ inlet which allows air to enter into carbon ductwork and is then ducted to the rear of the car were outlet ducts then direct the air into the now low pressure area hence reducing drag, the second is in the rear diffuser in the Escorts boot were a pair of fans suck air up and away from the rear diffuser and duct it out under the rear side winglets , this creates down force and again lessons drag, the exhausts also exit at the rear of the car and the three effects are known as a base bleed effect, venting into the car's low-pressure trail and reducing drag. , in other words they help to fill the void (wake ) created by the car.
A motorized rear spoiler will be used to trim rear down force and could be linked to the cars position on circuit to become an active spoiler. The side winglets are also adjustable however not whilst moving!
The suspension layout on the car is double wishbone front and rear with cantilever style damper operation , this ensures all damper loads are passed into the cars front and rear torsion box element of the space frame chassis .The front and rear uprights are fully optimised for strength, geometry and brake fitment. The uprights use single piece bearings that are fully tried and tested on a number of our projects. The output flanges are centre lock and are made from 300M aerospace steel alloy.
Engine position is front mid i.e. the whole of the engine is behind the front wheel centre line to further aid the centralised mass feel. The car will utilise our own 7 speed rear mounted transaxle this is used as a stressed part of the rear torsion box. Between the engine /bell housing and transaxle will be a high speed (engine speed ) propshaft. The magnesium bell housing and the in house designed dry-sump allow for ultra low engine positioning ,and requires a 5 ½ “triple plate clutch this will be fitted to a custom made ultra light EN24T fly wheel.
The engine is based on the Jaguar/Ford Duratec V6 and with every conceivable modification is expected to produce between 630 and 650 bhp and is designed and built by Noble motorsport, the team that built the engines for the highly successful Noble M12 and M400. It is twin turbo with the placement of the turbos ultra low. The turbos are placed at the front / side of the engine to allow for uncompromised turbo ,intercooler ,plenum chamber boost pipe work. The car uses a front mounted intercooler and B pillar mounted twin radiators with twin electric water pumps with small diameter high flow pipe work. The engine will use motec management to make the most of the paddle shift gear change system and the fly by wire throttle.
The Escort uses a full in house designed space frame with all aero devices being tied back to the chassis, a 3 piece AP air jack system is installed as the car is designed to run between 55 and 70mm of ground clearance. It has a full carbon honeycomb flat floor and a 3 piece rear diffuser in which the transaxle sits. The cockpit has two full carbon Sparco seats, it uses a carbon fibre pedal set with AP cylinders and our own bias adjuster. A two piece tunnel is fitted in the car made from carbon/Kevlar, a carbon fibre replica mk II escort dash is fitted along with an ultra lightweight high strength carbon fibre steering wheel. This is connected to a DC electronics column mounted power assisted steering system. The car will use fully adjustable Proflex damping to compliment the chassis.
One of the latest changes we have decided upon is to produce our own moulds in order to make a Lexan screen with far more rake that the standard Escort whilst still fitting in the windscreen aperture of the standard Escort shape.
The Escorts braking system is as up to date as is possible, with 375mm diameter carbon carbon front brakes using AP German touring car calipers and formula 1 carbon carbon front discs pads and calipers at the rear. The compound of the carbon fibre discs and pads as supplied by AP racing are specifically designed for the performance and weight of the finished Escort. The wheel and tyre choice as at this time haven’t been fixed however the sizes will be 13” wide 18” diameter rears and 9” wide 18” diameter fronts. The expected overall car weight is 875-900 kilos and with the power of 650 bhp we expect a power to weight ratio of 725 bhp/ton
