Resurrection: 1998 Belgian Procar - Thierry Tassin ELR/Honda/Foss-Tech #7 race car

[Rboosted717]

This thread is great.

I'll admit to not knowing the fog light and FIA rules usage, but it makes sense. In a way, a lot of the Integra Type-R's history seems to have little bits like that focused on racing.

I really hope to see this car someday...

Thanks! Yeah it's pretty amazing how many enhancements Honda incorporated to maximize the chassis for FIA Group N and Super Production rules. From what I've been told by some of the European race teams and the head guy at Honda Europe, the only major weakness of the Integra Type R was the axles (the tripod and bearings were way too small), the engine was underpowered (it should have been a 2.0l) and the clutch/transmission design could have been better. Everything else about the chassis was great.

[Rboosted717]

phenomenal write up so far. thanks for all the effort you've put into this. at some point please post some track videos of it.

Thanks! As for some track video's, here's a link that starts at the 7:42 mark that show's about 30mins of historic 1998 racing footage: https://youtu.be/TonvPBICTaw?t=7m42s

Unfortunately right before the July 31st event, my AiM Smartycam decided to crash after a firmware update so I was only able to get footage using my iphone and the Track Addict app. Also I had to use partial throttle going up the hill (turns 5-6) due to the 90db sound limit (they were getting me at 98db at full throttle). The video isn't great but here's a link:
https://youtu.be/OS3wymSPgjE

Also here's a link to some clips a few friends took from pit row:
https://youtu.be/1TkeO__YbIA

And here's a few videos of the car on the dyno and testing the air jacks:
https://youtu.be/vXHepLtPCds
https://youtu.be/-5DbYxALzd4
https://youtu.be/kQTNj4acbFE
https://youtu.be/nB3XCN87COs

[lanceh]

nice. i'm assuming the transmission has straight cut gears? love the whine

is the input for the air jacks that oval cutout under the left tail light?

[white rocket]

Love it, love it, love it. The carbon pieces look outstanding like the fuel system in the rear and door roll bar covers(assuming that is what they are). The history is amazing and the nostalgia is off the charts.

I love how racers even know to retain the power steering. I'm no fan of the removal/looped system manual conversion and I feel it completely changes the way the car feels. Like you're fighting it through the corners. No driver feeling lost with power steering at all IMO. Just my $0.02.

<---stoked for your progress

[Rboosted717]

nice. i'm assuming the transmission has straight cut gears? love the whine

is the input for the air jacks that oval cutout under the left tail light?

Correct, it's a Hewland transmission that uses straight cut gears with dog engagement. The sound and feeling when you clutchless shift is unreal. And you're right again, that oval in the rear contains the air jack connection point. Foss-Tech did it as part of the chassis fabrication. Amazingly, it's 100% metal and molded into the OE trim.

[Rboosted717]

Love it, love it, love it. The carbon pieces look outstanding like the fuel system in the rear and door roll bar covers(assuming that is what they are). The history is amazing and the nostalgia is off the charts.

I love how racers even know to retain the power steering. I'm no fan of the removal/looped system manual conversion and I feel it completely changes the way the car feels. Like you're fighting it through the corners. No driver feeling lost with power steering at all IMO. Just my $0.02.

<---stoked for your progress

Thanks! The carbon fabrication is off the charts. Literally it has zero weight and is 100% carbon fiber. The door roll bar cover also contains a fully intergrated crash structure made of out of aluminum, Nomex and Kelvar honeycomb. It's increably dense and insanely strong. Here's a picture with the inside cover removed to expose the crash structure boxes (the black rectangles):


And I agree 100% about the power steering. Aside from affecting the feel of the car, it also induces driver fatigue. In speaking with ELR they said power steering was essential for endurance races (24hr of Spa) and worked amazing on the perfectly smooth tracks. My yellow car had power steering (for the 24hrs of Spa) but it was removed when it competed in the Speedvision/Speed series. Silly rules...

[Rboosted717]

>>NEW<<
I added several new pictures, video links, ownership history and timeline info to the original post.
The pictures are also chronological to make it easier to follow the progression over the past (almost) 20 years.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

I want one of these types of ITR race caRs.

[white rocket]

Thanks! The carbon fabrication is off the charts. Literally it has zero weight and is 100% carbon fiber. The door roll bar cover also contains a fully intergrated crash structure made of out of aluminum, Nomex and Kelvar honeycomb. It's increably dense and insanely strong. Here's a picture with the inside cover removed to expose the crash structure boxes (the black rectangles):

Wow, talk about engineering at it's finest. I'd most likely have to pick myself up off the floor if I saw this car in person. I could spend hours just soaking it all in.

And I agree 100% about the power steering. Aside from affecting the feel of the car, it also induces driver fatigue. In speaking with ELR they said power steering was essential for endurance races (24hr of Spa) and worked amazing on the perfectly smooth tracks. My yellow car had power steering (for the 24hrs of Spa) but it was removed when it competed in the Speedvision/Speed series. Silly rules...

I didn't even think about driver fatigue but yes that would totally make sense. Interesting that the Speedvision series would have the P/S system removed due to rules. That does seem a bit silly.

<-----heads to page 1 for the updates

[coolhandluke]

...Wow, talk about engineering at it's finest. I'd most likely have to pick myself up off the floor if I saw this car in person. I could spend hours just soaking it all in...

Come on out. I'l help pick you up off the floor. will be provided.