Shopping: Real Estate |  Costumes  |  Guitars
This Issue Archived Articles Blog About Us Contact Us
SEARCH


Dissecting the Skelta - Part Two

A look at the Skelta's suspension, steering, brakes, cabin and price - and we drive it!

Words by Michael Knowling, Pix by Julian Edgar

Click on pics to view larger images

At a glance...

  • Final of two-part series
  • Design of suspension, steering and brakes
  • Inside the cabin
  • Prices
  • We drive it!
Email a friend     Print article
 

In the first part of our series on the Skelta (see Dissecting the Skelta - Part One) we looked at its space-frame, carbon fibre body and driveline. Well, now its time to check out the suspension, steering, brakes, cabin, pricing and on-road performance of this incredible machine...

Suspension, Steering and Brakes

With an emphasis on tarmac racing - not just driving on billiard-table-smooth racetracks - Ray Vandersee has given his Skelta sports car generous suspension travel together with finely controlled geometry through bump and rebound movement.

Click for larger image

The Skelta uses motorsport inspired unequal length wishbones front and rear. Inboard ProFlex coil-overs are fitted at each end and provide adjustable damping (with external reservoirs) and adjustable height spring platforms. Front and rear suspension arrangements use cast aluminium rocker arm actuation of the coil-overs by pull rods. The motion ratios of the wheels and dampers are about 2.5:1 at both ends and Ray uses slightly firmer springs at the front. Weight distribution is spot-on at 49:51 front-to-rear.

The suspension is designed to allow around 200mm of travel front and rear and, over this range, front camber change is approximately three degrees. Ray has also built in geometry to prevent bump-steer, anti-dive and anti-squat. In Ray’s targa-spec configuration, there’s up to six degrees of castor, one degree of negative camber at the front, half a degree of negative camber at the rear and about a millimetre of toe-in at each end. Interestingly, there are no swaybars as Ray says they shouldn’t really be needed if the chassis is balanced and the springs and dampers are well spec’d. However, he is soon to investigate fitting swaybars and testing the results.

Click for larger image

Custom cast aluminium hubs are used at both ends with the front using Holden wheel bearings and the rear using Honda double race bearings.

Given its low weight (just 700kg) and focus on competition reliability, it’s no surprise Ray has installed a non-assisted steering system. The standard steering arrangement comprises a 3 turns lock-to-lock Ford Escort rack while a quick-ratio 2.5 turn lock-to-lock rack is also on offer. This noticeably increases steering effort during low-speed manoeuvres but it’s not as heavy as you’ll find in some non power-steer ‘70s cars. A Honda S2000 column is employed due to its lightweight and collapsible mechanism which is an ADR safety requirement.

Given the mass of the vehicle, brakes are simply gigantic. Interestingly, the same brakes are fitted front and rear – Wilwood 298mm ventilated and drilled discs and 4-pot calipers. Buyers can opt for grooved front discs if preferred, through Ray points out there is a small weight saving by using the drilled discs. A Wilwood master cylinder and in-cabin bias adjuster are installed but you won’t find a vacuum booster.

Road-spec wheels are ROH 16 x 7s wearing 205/45 16 Kumho rubber. Race versions can be purchased with lighter weight wheels wearing softer compound tyres.

Cabin

Click for larger image

As you’d expect, the cabin is pretty bare-bones. There are no power windows (because there aren’t any windows!) and don’t bother looking for air conditioning, a heater or sound system. Major features inside the cabin include two race seats, harnesses, a Momo wheel (with a Skelta horn button), aluminium shift knob and a vast expanse of carbon fibre. The sweeping carbon dashboard is created using a custom in-house mould and a standard S2000 gauge cluster is built in. The S2000 cluster gives a highly visible bar graph tacho and digital speedo. A battery cut-out, extinguisher and rally computer are fitted to competition versions such as Ray’s targa car.

Occupants are protected from the elements by a removable roof panel and acrylic rear window but, curiously, there are no side curtains. Ray says the carbon roof adds a little bit of weight but it’s more than offset by the aero advantage of improved airflow to the rear wing. In terms of storage, there are pockets in the side panels and decent space below the lift-off boot panel. This is typically where the spare wheel is stored but you can also fit a couple of soft bags.

Production and Prices

At the time of writing, Skelta Sports Cars is in the process of manufacturing its fifth vehicle. The first model was the prototype (which won’t be sold), the second is Ray’s targa vehicle, the third has been sent to England, the fourth is a road-spec version which is soon to be registered and the fifth is a race-spec version.

Click for larger image

So how does the Skelta gain legal road-reg approval? Well, it’s treated like an individually constructed vehicle – just like a Clubman. This means it’s exempt from crash testing but all other relevant ADRs are fulfilled.

For a fully assembled, ready-to-go race Skelta you’ll have to cough up AUD$134,000 (which includes GST, luxury car tax and a conditional one-year warranty) but road versions are slightly cheaper. Obviously 134k is more than loose change but if you want to take on mega-buck GT3s and Ferraris in competition, this is the way to do it. Sure, a Clubman racer can be built for substantially less - but can’t possibly match the Skelta for all-round competitiveness.

If you can’t afford AUD$134,000, you’ll be interested to learn that you can buy the Skelta rolling chassis for AUD$43,945, the Honda mechanicals for around AUD$21,000 and an ADR approved fuel system kit can be bought for AUD$1888. We suggest contacting the company to find which package best suits your needs.

On the Road

Click for larger image

AutoSpeed had the opportunity to drive Ray’s targa-spec Skelta – and we can tell you it’s one of the most tactile automotive experiences we’ve ever come across. From the lightening response of the quick-rack steering to the scream of the VTEC engine and the machine-gun effect of road grit hitting the floor, this is in ya face.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Skelta doesn’t have explosive acceleration – it simply builds and builds speed as the VTEC engine approaches 9000 rpm. But it’s obviously quick. You’d expect that when you take the engine out of the already-quick Honda S2000 and put it in a car with just over half the weight...

The quick-rack steering takes a little bit of getting used to – especially at high speed over bumpy roads - but there can be no underestimating the immense grip and balance. It’s obvious this is a car with targa winning potential. The brakes are also powerful and resist locking.

Click for larger image

From our perspective, the biggest downside of the Skelta is its lack of doors. You need to swing your legs over the side panels and, somehow, tuck them down into the footwell. It’s a very awkward exercise for anyone, and damn near impossible is you are tall.

In the heat of motorsport, Ray says the Skelta is very controllable, comfortable to drive for extended periods and very light on tyres, brake pads and fuel. And, yes, it’s bloody quick. Ray was challenging the top end of the field in Targa Tasmania ’06 until a freak mechanical problem put an end to the run. But you can bet the farm he’ll be back next year with even more pace. Suspension and aerodynamic development of the Skelta are ongoing and Ray is considering adding an engine management piggy-back or interceptor to extract even more power.

If you want pure performance without the frills, you know where to go!

Contact: Skelta Sports Cars +61 7 4631 4801 http://www.skelta.com.au/

Did you enjoy this article?

Please consider supporting AutoSpeed with a small contribution. More Info...


Share this Article: 

More of our most popular articles.
More low cost aerodynamic testing techniques

DIY Tech Features - 14 April, 2009

Ultimate DIY Automotive Modification Tool-Kit, Part 3

What's happened to electronic advances in cars?

Special Features - 19 May, 2009

Car Electronics Going Nowhere?

Making it easier to work on your car

DIY Tech Features - 12 June, 2012

The Spit

One of the all-time great aero specials

Special Features - 10 January, 2007

Holden Commodore VL SS Group A Walkinshaw

Measuring how air flows in and under a car

DIY Tech Features - 28 May, 2004

Undertrays, Spoilers & Bonnet Vents, Part 1

Modifying the regen braking system on a Toyota Prius

DIY Tech Features - 15 December, 2004

A World First: Modifying Regen Braking

Cheaper than a half-cut and lots more bits!

DIY Tech Features - 17 April, 2012

Buying at Salvage Auctions

Fuel cells are being touted by mainstream car companies, but you have to wonder...

Technical Features - 24 October, 2007

Alternative Cars, Part 7 - Fuel Cells

Gorgeous and fast

Special Features - 3 June, 2014

The Auto Union Racing Cars

So what stuff is worth salvaging out of old air conditioners?

DIY Tech Features - 20 April, 2010

The Good Bits out of old Air-Conditioners

Copyright © 1996-2020 Web Publications Pty Limited. All Rights ReservedRSS|Privacy policy|Advertise
Consulting Services: Magento Experts|Technologies : Magento Extensions|ReadytoShip