Anybody out West familiar with this "Thunder Roadster" track car?

[Dueller]

Guy races/DE's out of Nevada...anybody with first hand experience or seen this car or these on road course? Powered by 1250cc Yamaha. Similar driveline/chassis as Legends cars but with 96" wheelbase, 1300#'s.

[Dueller]

In car vid of one at a DE:

[pwd72s]

Never have seen one...but judging from your posts they look to be nothing but fast fun!

[TRE Cup]

Powered by air or water cooled?
these are made by the same mfg as the legends. I had a similarly built Baby Grand race car.
With the motorcycle engine they are fun as you just bang the shift lever, like a sequential gear box.
Don't spin out and go backwards as you will break the starter. Of course, there is no reverse- so get yourself pointed the right way. Power to weight is about 10 to one, so it gets moving pretty well. Oiling is a bit of a problem as a bike motor does not achieve G forces on the oil supply like these motors would in left/right turns. We have seen accusump set ups on a few of these types, but i think most add an additional cup to the bottom of the pan and make sure they are filled to level on oil. I have also seen where they add external cam oil lines to make sure the valve train stays well lubed.

Depending on price and condition, these make for good learning tools in DE. They are easy on brakes and tires and some good laps are to be had. Test fit yourself first as it can get cozy in there!

[jerryw]

Yes - we have quite a pack of them (and the Legends) that run with us in NASA NorCal. They look to be great fun and pretty nippy.

[Instrument 41]

We have a had a few of these out at the track in Louisiana, Grand Bayou Race Track. Very agile, very quick. From my experience at the track very reliable.

[John Rogers]

I have seen them at several HSR-West and VARA events and usually the owner is also racing something like a BMW2002 or Alpha Romeo. They are wickedly fast and I actually was in a run group at PIR several years ago and was following one with it sliding all over the turns in the infield session! The tires are spec so they could use a bit more traction I guess but are a really neat way to go racing on a budget.

[ted]

My good buddy talked me into buying his.
A water cooled Hayabusa 175hp 6 speed, oil coolers, electric water pump and cowling/ducts for xtra engine cooling.
Best part I can fit at 6'6", it has already been adapted to a tall driver.

my math...
911 tires Avons $1800 get 4 fast days.
T/R tires $400 last a year.
Economy/guiltless track work.

It has fenders and brake lights for DE/TT work too.
But I've yet to actaully drive it.....

Video with the original 125 hp Yamaha motor and 5 speed.
tootallbob's Channel - YouTube

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Guy races/DE's out of Nevada...anybody with first hand experience or seen this car or these on road course? Powered by 1250cc Yamaha. Similar driveline/chassis as Legends cars but with 96" wheelbase, 1300#'s.

If you need it test driven I'm available from Laguna Seca/Thunderhill down to Phoenix/Mexican boarder for $200 a day

[TRE Cup]

should break into the 1:29's at willow
fun!

[GDNF2ET]

Looks like the inspiration for the Keaton Batmobile.....

[ted]

Just enjoyed 3 days at Spring Mountain Motorsports in Pahrump Nevada.
Good wx and over 8+ hours of track time in the roadster.
Good fun, here are some snaps and video.




videos...

[ted]

A noisy video of the roadster sliding around the track, like a big shifter cart.
Cheap to run and fun to pitch and catch.