GT cars are purpose-built, highly modified replicas of series produced sport sedans. The class rules offer great freedom of construction by allowing one-off chassis designs, use of alternate materials and a multitude of drivetrain and suspension options.
The goal of the GTL project is not just to field a competitive racecar, but also to showcase continuous fibre thermoplastic composite technologies that can be applied to the automotive and transportation industry. The vehicle provides a development platform for complementary products and engineering concepts in an organised programme. The materials and applications focused on are lightweight composite structural components for chassis and suspension, interior and exterior panels, aerodynamic aids and fire-resistant materials.
Construction is currently in process on the Honda CRX chassis, a purpose-built GT car that has consistently appeared in the SCCA Runoffs since first hitting the track in 1991. Completion of the first phase of development will be completed by early September, and the car is already slated to appear as a feature vehicle at the Society of Plastic Engineers ACCE (Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition) on 8-11 September in Troy, Michigan, and also at CAMX (The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo) in Orlando, Florida on 13-16 October in the USA.
