Formula LGB Swift

Infobox Automobile


name=Formula LGB Swift
manufacturer=Super Speeds(Pvt) Ltd,India
class=Open Wheeled Formula Racing Car
production=2003 - Present
Engine= 1300cc Maruti Suzuki SwiftRear Mounted,Longitudinal
Chassis= Spaceframe

Formula LGB Swift is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport in India launched in 2003. The cars are powered by 1.3 liter Maruti Esteem engines (also used in the Suzuki Swift) and are driven by top and upcoming Indian drivers in the National Racng Championship. This car can be considered as an Indian equivalent of Europe’s Formula Ford series, where it is void of aerodynamic aids like wings. From 2006 this Car replaced Formula Maruti as an entry level formula car. This series offers the first feel and insights into open wheel racing for an upcoming race driver.

Name

LGB denotes L.G.Balakrishnan Brothers, the manufacturers of Rolon Chains and Sprockets.LGB is the parent company of Super Speeds that designs constructs the cars.Swift is named denoting the Engine supplier Maruti Udyog.The car was originally named just Formula LGB from 2003 till 2005. In 2006 a suffix Swift was added to avoid name confusion with the launch of another Hyundai engined Formula LGB (Formula LGB Hyundai) which was slightly different in layout and design.

Design

Early Version

The car was originally named just Formula LGB from 2003 till 2005 and the engines were the same 1.3 Liter used in Maruti Esteem car but in Carburetor format with Single Over Head Cam design. But the car had 50% more power (65 b.h.p. being its Stock version in carburetor form), than the stock version in race trim.

Current Version

In 2006 season the cars was re-named Formula LGB Swift and the Engine from Maruti Swifts 1.3 litre 16 Valve MPFI engine were refitted. The new engines were left in stock form as the new engines could reach over 90 BHP in stock form. The Engine is mounted in Transverse direction with the stock gearbox as in a front wheel drive car.

Chassis

The Chassis is a Spaceframe monocoque with FRP(Fibre-reinforced plastic) panels, slightly on heavier side, mainly for structural and safety reasons. The space frame is constructed out of square tubes and the tyres are supplied by JK Tyres which are grooved slicks.

Costs

Along with Formula LGB Hyundai this is one of the cheapest Formula cars in the world to race, with rental for Friday Practise, Saturday Qualifying and a Double race on Sunday (15 Laps each), costing only $800 (as of 2005). That includes Tyres and Fuel.

Races

Races for the National Championship are held at Coimbatore's Kari Motor Speedway and at Chennai's MMSC Irrugatukottai track.The car is designed and built by Coimbatore based Super Speeds Pvt. Ltd. for LG Sports, makers of ROLON Chains and sprockets, Coimbatore. The car was designed by ex-racer B. Viji (also known as B. Vijaykumar) with JK Tyres being the Championship sponsor and also sponsoring some of the drivers.Maruti Udyog presents the Championship winner a brand new Maruti car. In 2006 it was Maruti Swift.

Champions

* * Denotes wins in Formula LGB

ee also

*Formula LGB Hyundai
*FISSME (a.k.a.Formula Maruti)
*Formula Rolon
*JK Tyre National Racing Championship

More Pictures

*http://www.thehinduimages.com:8080/hindu/photoDetail.do?photoId=4724733
*http://www.thehinduimages.com:8080/hindu/photoDetail.do?photoId=4724739
*http://www.thehinduimages.com:8080/hindu/photoDetail.do?photoId=4956633

----

External links

* [http://www.newstodaynet.com/05dec/cs4.htm]
*Ganpat Amarnath [http://www.ganpat.com]
* [http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B34E1CFAD-DD02-4545-9492-6D9B70DB8EED%7D&CATEGORYNAME=BUSINESS]

*Madras Motor Sports Club [http://www.mmsc.in]