Pilbeam Virage VdeV Sportscar 2008 The new MP98 Virage is a sports racer built for the VdeV series on the Continent and in VdeV-UK, as well as other proposed series. It will use the 2 litre Honda K20A built to CN regulations. The Virage is unique in being designed from a basis of experience gained in the construction of Sports Racers for Le Mans and ALMS where intensive aerodynamic and structural work was done at the very highest International level and further optimized with an intensive CFD programme on the aero performance. It is built to comply with FIA Group CN regulations in addition to the VdeV rules. Main features of the Virage 1. Distinctive design and strong racing heritage. The design has evolved from work on our Le Mans Prototypes especially in the aerodynamic area but this has been further developed using model tests and CFD analysis. This has resulted in stable handling due to minimal sensitivity to changes in pitch or ride height and increased downforce. As usual with Pilbeam designs the suspension is an advanced system and incorporates a heave spring giving great advantages in making best use of the aerodynamic force available. 2. The Honda K20A will produce around 250 HP with good torque and uses a dry sump package which we use to add to the chassis stiffness. 3. High safety factors built into the design: the structure uses experience gained in design of the LMP2 Prototype which passed the extremely high FIA requirements for that category. 4. The MP98 will comply with FIA CN regulations which means it can be raced in any worldwide series run under the FIA in addition to National race series. 5. The rolling chassis price is competitive at £52,000 when fitted with top class components. Many options eg paddle shift are also available. 6. Practical and easily serviced bodywork. As carbon is not allowed the panels will be made from prepreg glass which is much lighter and more durable than wet layup fibreglass. 7. The chassis is built from tubular steel with aluminium and composite paneling calculated to give maximum rigidity, and at the same time the weight is very competitive with any other system of design. Specification Overall width = 1780mm Overall length = 4300mm Wheelbase = 2530mm Weight = 550kg (min permitted is 570kg) Bodywork Prepreg composite paneling supplied ready for painting Design optimized for downforce, drag and minimum pitch sensitivity. Rear wing Composite construction wing which is adjustable to allow perfect balance for the driver and uses profiles developed over extensive tests. Chassis Tubular steel designed to comply with FIA regulations in addition to the VdeV rules thus permitting the car to be used in a wide variety of National and International events. Exceptionally high stiffness in the vital area of lateral bending has been achieved: this has been proved to result in big advantages by leading to better stability when the car is under extreme side loads, as it frequently is! Suspension Based on our unique system developed to optimise aerodynamic performance as well as giving excellent low speed handling. A detailed study has been carried out over the past year using a combination of track testing and computer analysis and this will continue during initial testing. This uses double wishbones but adds a third spring to control heave whilst retaining good tyre contact at all times. Steering Super low friction Pilbeam steering rack is used with FIA certified collapsible column. Momo steering wheel with quick release is standard but wheel with data is an option. Dampers Optional, but double adjustable Konis are the preferred option. Transmission Sadev SL75 6-speed sequential gearbox with oil tank built into adaptor casting. Lightweight hollow drive shafts are an option. Dedicated flat shift or paddle system is available if required. A 140mm diameter 2 plate clutch is standard. Spare ratios are available at £130 per pair. Brakes AP Racing calipers and 280mm ventilated discs with the option of the new AP Racing monobloc caliper giving suberb braking. Wheels Wheels are Speedline magnesium, 9” x 13” front and 10.5” x 13” rear. These have proved very durable in F3 and are probably the lightest available. Fuel system FIA approved 80 litre bag tank with integral low pressure lift pump and Bosch high pressure pump. Airjacks Available as an option. Programme An initial batch of 4 cars will be built, the first to be tested in early 2008 in the UK. Where did that name come from?? The very first race cars built by Mike Pilbeam were Clubmans cars raced in the British 750 Club 1172 formula and were named Virage, so the name has been reborn with the new Sports Car. Meet us at the Autosport Show this week at the NEC on the VdeV UK stand where members of the team will be present on Thursday and Friday to discuss your options either in the UK or in Europe. More detail will be available on our website shortly.