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Skelta Is Top Gear Down Under |
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
The Australian designed and built Skelta G-Force sports car has been entered into a Nation-wide promotional competition being coordinated by the SBS Channel’s Internationally acclaimed ‘Top Gear’ motoring program.
Gold Coast V8 Supercar driver David Besnard is a central figure in a three minute Skelta G-Force pilot after having been recently offered the opportunity to road test the vehicle at Warwick’s Morgan Park Raceway.
The Toowoomba designed and built sports car only last year secured a maiden International tarmac rally podium during Targa New Zealand, after performing admirably on debut at Targa Tasmania.
“Being an avid fan of the ‘Top Gear’ program we couldn’t resist the
opportunity to showcase what we’ve created with the Skelta G-Force and
are hoping our fans will log in and vote in support of our limited
production sports car venture,” said Skelta Managing Director Ray
Vandersee.
“Without the multi-million dollar budgets of the bigger sports car
retailers we see this promotion as a small way of letting people know
about our revolutionary vehicle which is being produced out of
Toowoomba.
“With a major slant towards the performance attributes of the car
including superior handling and braking components, coupled with the
overall aerodynamic capabilities of the car, it’s hoped the Skelta
G-Force will become the ideal test case for the UK-based Top Gear
program Down Under.
“We’re asking everyone to log in and register at
http://topgear.sbs.com.au then make their vote count towards ensuring
the successful entry of the Skelta in the ‘Top Gear’ video
competition.”
Vandersee will continue to campaign his performance based, road
registered vehicle this weekend during the Gatton Street Sprints, which
will be contested around the streets directly in front of parent
company, Vanderfield Pty Ltd Gatton branch.
“In fact, Vanderfield is a major supporter of the event with much of
the pit area owned by the company and made available to the event
organisers each year,” said Vandersee.
As a local event for the Skelta team, the Gatton feature always
provides a great atmosphere and there is the obvious advantage of
having experienced a full season of tarmac racing since the 2006
Lockyer Valley campaign.
“In essence the Gatton Street Sprints represents phase one of the new
season assignment and as we did last year we’ll use the exercise to
further prep the car towards Targa Tasmania later in the year,” added
Vandersee.
“Last year we had a mixed bag with the weather yet still managed a
fourth placing overall in the one kilometre time trial event so there’s
the incentive for us to go even better this weekend.
“One thing for sure we will definitely be one of the quickest road registered cars driven to the circuit.
“Since we were last here we’ve enjoyed great success with an
International tarmac rally podium in New Zealand and of course our near
miss during Targa Tasmania.
“From a driving perspective I’m a lot more comfortable in the car and
I’m sure that will show in our performances but more than anything I
just can’t wait to suit up and get behind the wheel of the Skelta and
shoot for greater success.”
Aesthetically the Skelta G-Force is a modern, if not futuristic model
and the road registered, racing vehicle has also been masterfully
created to provide optimum aerodynamic qualities.
The vehicle draws inspiration from proven competition vehicles
including the modern day Formula One car and the Panoz Le Mans sports
racer. Some believe the car also bears some resemblance to the English
TVR sportsters.
The Australian made Skelta G-Force is set to pack an even mightier
punch during 2007, courtesy of a revolutionary lightweight RST V8
engine that will come as an upgrade option on the sports car model.
That’s great news for potential Australian tarmac rally purchasers of
the power-packed machine, with the move up into a V8 engine package is
sure to make the Skelta G-Force an even more formidable proposition at
events such as the highly acclaimed Targa Tasmania.
Sports car circuit racing enthusiasts will also appreciate the supreme
performance offered by the 2.4 litre V8 version that produces up to
283kW at 9,800RPM.
But the V8 package won’t be ready for this year’s April 17-21 Targa
Tasmania event, with Vandersee and his small Darling Downs based Skelta
G-Force Racing team honing in on another genuine assault driving the
current model.
Competitors will cover 450 competition kilometres over 43 stages as Targa Tasmania is conducted over five days.
The overall goal from participation in 2007 will be to deliver on the
performance potential shown by a gutsy initiation last year.
That experience, coupled with a second outright placing at Targa New
Zealand, plus competition at various other hillclimb and sprint events,
means Vandersee is in a much stronger position, boasting many more
miles behind the wheel of his self designed creation.
Skelta Sports Cars has a stock of comprehensive promotional DVDs that
outline the original concepts, engineering and overall performance
capabilities of this unique Australian made sports car.
The DVDs are available for immediate distribution to interested parties free of charge.
Potential purchasers and enthusiasts of Queensland’s Skelta G-Force,
that retails for around $134 000, are asked to book their DVD directly
through Vandersee via email at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
A postal
address must be advised.
SKELTA G-FORCE SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis:
Chrome Molybdenum steel spaceframe reinforced with carbon fibre and Kevlar centre tunnel and side pods
Body: Carbon fibre/Kevlar
Weight: 650kg dry. 50/50 distribution.
Engine: 2-litre Honda F20C
Output: 180kw (241hp @ 8500RPM)
Power/Weight: 3.61 Kg/Kw
Transmission: 6-speed
Suspension:
Double unequal length wishbones with inboard Proflex type shock/ spring units.
Brakes: Ventilated, cross-drilled 298mm discs with 4 piston callipers (f&r)
Performance (calc): 0 - 100km/h: 4.1 sec
0 - 400m: 12.1 secs
Top speed: 254kmh (low downforce spec.)
Web Site: www.skelta.com.au
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