How long does it take to build a race car?
The question might invoke a riot in a spirited pit lane or in the newsrooms of an auto publication thanks to the multitude of opinions and perspectives. Working on impossible deadlines and against the clock isn’t an unusual proposition to most motorsports professionals. However to build a car ground up is a formidable task and most in the business will agree. To a make a strong case in point, Renault has put together what is claimed to be the ‘world’s most beautiful race car’- the R.S. 01 and they managed it in a matter of 5 months. Smartly outsourcing sister concerns and domain experts, Renault has pulled off a wicked trick and an even more wicked car!
To take the R.S. 01 from the design board to the track, Renault like any manufacturer worth its carbon fibre has employed a monocoque chassis with an integrated rollcage. To do this, Renault called in the carbon fibre experts from Dallara Automotive, the same geniuses that built the Lamborghini Huracán GT-3 and also the KTM X-bow. Built with a racing intent, every curve, every fin, every scoop on the expanse of the cars’ body either cools the hot bits, cuts through air, or allows the engine to breathe better. For example, the two tiny fins on the edges of the front bumper create vortices to negate the turbulence caused by the rotating wheels. The daytime running LED headlamps are positioned along the ducts that cool the brakes. The scoops on the hood are routed to cool the turbocharger and to allow the engine to breathe better. The Le Mans styled bubble tub cabin is flanked by sharply raked A-pillars that proceed seamlessly towards the enormous spoiler. This creates enough down force to keep the car glued to the track. Working in tandem are the diamond-cut 18” alloy wheels wrapped in custom-built Michelins.
Powering this superlight chassis is the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 that has been pulled out of the Nissan GT-R but, before they could bolt it on the car they sent it to the horsepower wizards at Nismo. Guys at Nismo, who practice the dark arts of tuning, employed a dry sump lubrication system and pulled out a whopping 600 Nm of torque and power north of 500 PS. This will be sent to the wheels via a Sadeva 7-speed sequential gearbox. Biting the large 380 mm carbon discs from PFC are the six-piston callipers and ABS from Bosch Motorsports.
Obviously the car calls in for some heavy footed driving and will be a part of the Renault World Series cup and will also make a gateway for championships like the DTM, GT, WEC and Le Mans. Commenting on the R.S. 01, veteran Formula1 champion, Alain Prost said, “Renault Sport R.S. 01 is a spectacular racing car, in the purest tradition of GT. With its high-level sporting capacities, Renault Sport R.S. 01 illustrates the rich expertise of Renault Sport, and its ability to develop the racing cars that will reveal future GT or Endurance champions.” The video gives an interesting insight into the motorsports industry. Also, hit the second video to check out the wailing cacophony of turbo V6 on the track.
Story: Aniruddha Mulgund
