SPEADS RM08
Overview
The distinctively-styled Speads RM08 is the result of six years of development carried out in its native South Africa. The RM08 is a very impressive car bringing a refreshingly modern design to the Australian racing scene. One of the main advantages of the RM08 is its performance relative to cost when compared to equivalent cars in terms of overall price, including maintenance and running costs. The RM08's handling characteristics are defined largely by its full aerodynamic package - including adjustable front and rear wings, bargeboards, flat floor and rear diffuser. These elements combine to create substantial downforce and grip when the car is on slick tyres. The RM08 is physically impressive. Its wheelbase is 3315 mm and the track is 1524 mm both front and rear creating nimble, responsive handling with exceptional levels of grip and balance. The RM08 is suitable for sprints, hillclimbs and other open-wheel events where these cars are sanctioned. The performance level of the car is very impressive giving a big adrenaline rush for anyone who drives it, which makes it ideal for club racers.
Description
Chassis - The chassis is an outstanding feature of the SPEADS. It is a lightweight space frame continuously developed over the last eight years from rig testing and racing; all with a view to ever increasing stiffness and reliability. Chassis members are mild steel tubing of mainly 32mm diameter x 0.9mm wall thickness. Main and dash roll bars are 38mm diameter x 2.1mm wall thickness. The frame is fully TIG welded ensuring consistency and quality with a minimum of distortion. There is an insulated double cockpit bulkhead which contains an FIA bladder fuel cell. Chassis stiffness translates to outstanding mechanical grip and reduced tire wear, enabling the SPEADS to use softer tire compounds compared to its competition. The RM08's cockpit is roomy and designed it to accommodate larger drivers of up to 1.9m and 110Kg.
Suspension and Running Gear – The quality of the SPEADS clearly shows in the design and fabrication of major suspension components including uprights, steering rack, rockers and even the universal joints for the steering column, all of which are all beautifully CNC machined. Pushrod suspension is used at all four corners. Left hand threads are utilized where quick adjustment is needed such as for ride height alteration. Approximately 50 rod ends are used per car, ranging from 7/16” to ½” diameter. Not only can toe and camber be adjusted easily, but caster can be altered in a matter of seconds. Camber adjustment is via shims allowing rapid and known camber changes at the track. Uprights are machined from billet and can be installed on any one of four corners to reduce need for corner specific spares. Control arms are fabricated from aero tubing of 1.6mm wall thickness, and include anti-intrusion beams for added safety. The car uses very long wishbones for minimal camber change in bump and droop, with consistent roll centre positioning. Adjustable roll bars are used for tuning front and rear weight transfer allowing use of softer springs, thus increasing mechanical grip even further.
Brakes - Calipers are radial mount Wilwood 4 spot Powerlite for additional installed stiffness, and rotors are fully floating for improved pedal feel and longer life. Vented rotors are fitted at the front with a scalloped, lightweight solid rotor being used at the rear. The bias adjustable pedal box is sculpted in aluminium with separate front and rear circuit.
Bodywork -The 3 piece fiberglass body comes in self-colored Gel-coat of very high quality. The bodywork consists of front, center and rear sections. It attaches with simple catch-latches, and is manageable by one person. The cockpit has a form fitting seat and a foot well moulding is also provided to keep feet in position under high G loadings. A nose mounted brake cooling duct feeds air to the front brakes with two individual rear mounted ducts feeding air to the rear brakes. Two air ducts either side of the roll hoop feed cold “ram” air to the mid mounted engine. The twin tunnel diffuser floor is complemented by an adjustable front splitter and rear wing leading to high levels of down force, and cornering capabilities in excess of 3g.
Safety - The RM08 features a CAMS approved roll hoop assembly constructed and analysed to meet the FIA structural requirements of Formula 3. Anti intrusion plates and beams are provided for all wishbone attachments at the front of the vehicle. A 25 litre FIA approved bladder tank is incorporated ahead of the insulated bulkhead in front of the engine.
