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Once Suzuki has the shape figured out, he buys a stack of foam boards from the nearest home shopping center, and uses them to build a base. He shapes it with a file and after that is done, he uses clay on top of it and then body putty. After that – gelcoat and FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymer) and only then carbon comes in. The messy craftsmanship is being done at a friend’s body repair shop – Auto Garage HKY, so that Takemura-san at Scorch wouldn’t get mad about the whole tuning shop being covered in dust. The two places are quite close to each other. In fact, if you ask Suzuki why he picked Scorch to build his car, the answer is very simple – it was the closest quality tuning shop to his home.
It is unusual that the wing is not adjustable. With no rules about wing configuration it is interesting that a single element wing is used instead of a multi element wing. The wing actually looks like it is from a GT500 car. They are restricted by the rules to a single element. |
Hood vents are used ala LMS/ALMS cars. Some of the vents are for heat exchanger exit air and others are for air extraction to improve downforce. |
For WTAC a wider rear body section of dry carbon is being built and a new rear diffuser that mimics elements of JGTC and DTM cars. The car did not have enough rear downforce in its last testing. |
The rear widebody is vented to the back of the car. We think some of the exit air is being used to make downforce. The unusual venturi shape of the exit duct is increasing the velocity of the exit air, maybe to help energize the rear main diffuser. The main diffuser is semi blown by the exhaust discharge. |
Another view of the rear widebody. The rear wing has a huge gurney flap. |
The rear side venturis are pretty unusual and seem to take up room that could be better devoted to more rear diffuser area perhaps or perhaps they create high velocity vortices that help energize the center venturi. We think the undersides of the venturis could benefit from strakes to make them more effective aero surfaces. The side winglets create some downforce and are vortex generators which probably helps the diffuser's effectiveness as well. |
An exclusive look at the rear aero just before the car was shipped to Australia. We think that the diffuser angle appears to be pretty steep and it could use some strakes to help keep the airflow attached so the diffuser won't stall. |
Forgive me the following sentimental deviation, but it is really what makes the Underdog so unique – he's so passionate about what he’s doing and yet at the same time so humble and down to earth, it just makes you chase your dreams with the same perseverance and devotion.