A big congratulations goes to Stephan Verdier and his crew for the 3rd place podium finish at Rd.1 of the Global RallyCross Championship.
Stephan finished behind Marcus Gronholm and Tanner Foust in the Saturday final which is outstanding considering many of the other competitors have HUGE budgets and some are factory backed.
From watching the in-car videos it looks like Stephan had a lot of fun on the Irwindale Speedway course which featured a 70′ gap jump and 50/50 tarmac to gravel road surface.
Our own engineer, Mr. Katsuma Nakai, was on hand for suspension support. A few minor tweaks were made to the Gr.N dampers which performed flawlessly.
Check out the in-car video from MotoIQ and Saturday’s final.
Images taken from MotoIQ, Urban Racer and Subie-Life.com. Video taken from MotoIQ and XGames.
Hey everyone. You guys might be familiar with our Gr. N dampers but we are now taking those dampers to the next level with our Gr.N with F.R.S.
For those who do not know what F.R.S. is, I will explain the basic features and functions.
F.R.S. is an acronym for Fast Rebound System
This Fast Rebound System operates when the mechanical sensor detects a change in load on the tires. FRS is especially effective when going through large gaps or making jumps.
F.R.S. reduces the possibility of the vehicle bottoming out and keeps the tires on the ground for traction. This will in turn mean faster stage times and better grip on rough surfaces.
Two adjustable points of F.R.S.
1)F.R.S. Start Point
The switch mechanism for the F.R.S. is the belleville washer (disc Spring). As the load on tire gets closer to zero, the F.R.S. operates more actively to give you more traction. Different combination of the Belleville washers allow you to control the amount of load transferred, giving you more possibilities in settings.
2) Opening F.R.S.
When the F.R.S. operates, the by-pass valve is opened to allow rebound damping force to instantly decrease. By altering the amount F.R.S. opens the valve, excess rebound movement of the vehicle or downward load can be adjusted accordingly.
For Further Information and Brochure you can click HERE.
Congratulations to TEIN sponsored driver, Patrik Flodin, for his 2nd place overall finish in the 2010 P-WRC.
Patrik Flodin on right with 2010 P-WRC Champion on left.
For those, who are not too familiar with the P-WRC.
PWRC is the Production Car World Rally Championship (P-WRC) is the FIA’s principal series for near showroom spec four-wheel drive, turbocharged cars.
The WRC is regulated and controlled by the Federation International Automobile (FIA), the governing body for worldwide motorsports. Most WRC rallies follow the same basic itinerary: two days of reconnaissance on Tuesday and Wednesday, to enable the driver and co-driver to check the route, and practice “shakedown”, on Thursday, followed by the competition itself on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some events may also include ‘Super Special’ stages, short and compact sprint test which often feature two cars racing head-to-head.
The roads on the epic motorsport adventure ranges from ice and snow of Scandinavia to the stifling heat of Jordan – over surfaces including packed ice, smooth asphalt and rocks.
Patrik’s vehicle is a URT built Subaru Impreza WRX STi N14 GB, with TEIN Group N. Suspension.
TEIN Group N. dampers are developed through vigorous testing in the P-WRC. TEIN’s extensive background in Rally racing not only as a part supplier but as a former team have culminated into the Gr. N damper. Some of the basic features include 3+1-way dampening fore adjustment, external reservoirs, and inverted mono tube design. TEIN’s latest technologies have also been incorporated which are Micro Speed Valve, Temperature Compensating Valve, and Hydraulic Bump Stop. Gr. N damper has been tested all over the world, and currently used by competitors in P-WRC, China Rally Championship, Asia Pacific Rally, Polish Rally Championship and Africa Rally Championship.
DirtFish is the name of a new Rally School which will be opening later this month. I was fortunate enough to take a trip to the school and participate in a 1-day course. The school is located in Snoqualmie Falls, WA. The school sits on over 300 acres on what used to be the largest wood mill in the world.
The newly renovated main office which includes classrooms, showroom, conference room and offices.
One of two gigantic wooden structures on the property. Perfect for hooning
I tagged along with the 0-60 Rally Team as they brought the Scion xD to do battle. The premise – can an editor with 1-day training and a Group N STi beat Chris Duplessis in a xD. Check out the next issue of 0-60 magazine to find out the results.
In the background you can see the 0-60 Rally Scion Preparing to Run
The Cars of DirtFish
DirtFish has made a tremendous investment to provide students with top notch vehicles to use during their 1-day and multi-day courses. Courses start by driving a new Subaru STi which have been equipped with TEIN Gr.N suspension ($12,000+ each coilover kit), Gr.N brakes, Gravel wheels/ tires and all the needed safety equipment.
DirtFish garage filled with cars, spares and everything needed to keep the cars in top condition
Brand new Gr.N coilovers waiting to be installed
When we got there the “beginner” cars were still in their final stage of construction so we had to settle for their advanced (multi-day course) cars. Authentic race ready Group N STi. The same cars that Tanner Foust, Ken Block, etc… drove in past Rally America events. These are the real deal anti-lag, launch control, dog box transmission competition cars.
Two of the Gr.N cars which could be driven straight to a rally and be used to compete
Instruction Begins
The day starts with about 1-hour in the classroom and the rest of the day is hands on in the dirt learning car control techniques. Our group of 6 students cycled through 3 cars and 5 instructors. Once in the car instruction is one-on-one with in-car communications systems. All the instructors are great – easy to understand, patient, encouraging and of course skillful behind the wheel.
Van tour of the various training courses we would encounter during the day
One of the students, Eddie of Mackin Industries, strapped in and ready to GO!
By the end of the day everyone in my group was able to navigate a gravel course using all the skills learned in the previous 7 hours. Car control via steering input, weight transfer, throttle, left foot braking and e-brake.
I highly suggest DirtFish to any car enthusiast. It is one of the most fun times I have ever had in a car. I normally drive on tarmac (NASA, Speed Ventures, SpeedTrial, etc…) but sliding on the dirt was just simply A LOT OF FUN. Plus the car control techniques will definitely help drop my times at the circuit. The amenities, instructors and equipment are all AWESOME. Special thanks to all the staff at DirtFish: Greg Lund, Ian, Forest, Don, Adam, Nate and all the support staff.
This past weekend was X Games 16. New for this year was SuperRally where four cars compete bumper to bumper on a dirt course. TEIN sponsored professional drifter, Stephan Verdier, driving his Subaru STi. The vehicle is actually Stephan’s drift car converted back to AWD and tuned for rally. Changes included a different motor and transmission package from Crawford (must use turbo restrictor plate per the rules), rally suspension, gravel tires and a host of other parts.
Being that Ford and Subaru had multiple cars entered into SuperRally I think it was safe to say that Stephan was a big underdog. However practice times showed that Stephan was one of the quickest competitors. His Crawford powered STi showed it easily had the power to compete with the high power and light weight Fiestas from Ford which are purpose built for Rally Cross competition.
During morning practice Stephan made contact with the wall and damaged both the front and rear of his car. His car arrived back to the pits with a motor trouble, suspension damage and body damage. It took his skillful and dedicated crew hours to get his car patched up enough to compete. TEIN engineer, Mr. Nakai was on hand to help with suspension tuning and witnessed the team fix a broken cam sprocket, pull the chassis with a truck, replace suspension components and repair the bodywork. At this point he was lucky to even make it to the starting line.
In the first round Stephan faced Dave Mirra, Ken Block and ACP.
Stephan blasted off the line and held his lead for the entire race earning the win and entrance into the final round.
In the final round Stephan faced Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan and Sam Hubinette. This time the Fiestas blasted off the line and Stephan used his Crawford power to gain third position.
Through aggressive driving he moved into second behind Foust but relinquished the position to Deegan 3 laps later.
300 meters before the finish Stephan slowed from a damaged intercooler pipe which allowed Hubinette to pass him for third. The Gr.N suspension worked flawlessly throughout practice and competition. The coilovers provided Stephan with good traction for the Crawford power plant, high cornering speed and smooth landings.
It was an exciting race no matter the outcome and I cannot wait to see this event again in 2011.
Special thanks to Gordon Ting of 0-60 magazine for the X Games pass and the images.
Driver Patrik Flodin of Sweden took home his 5th consecutive Rally win this past weekend at the Jordan Rally. This marks his second 2010 class win in P-WRC competition.
Patrik Flodin on left with co-driver Goran Bergsten on right.
2010 Rally Results for driver P. Flodin and TEIN Gr. N coilovers:
1st Production Class at Rally Sweden (WRC Rd. 1)
1st Group N – China Rally (Rd. 1)
1st Group N – Russia Rally (Rd. 1)
1st Group N – Swedish Rally (Rd. 2)
1st Production Class at Jordan Rally (WRC Rd. 3)
*Flodin did not enter WRC Rd. 2
Note: all wins were while using TEIN Gr. N coilovers
For P-WRC competition Flodin has been piloting the Uspenskiy Rally Technica Subaru STI equipped with TEIN Gr.N dampers. The Gr.N dampers have been working well as the Sweden Rally was in snow and the Jordan Rally was in the desert. Gr.N dampers include a Temperature Compensating Valve (TCV) which is a mechanical system that changes oil flow based on oil temperature. This allows the damping force to stay more consistent as the oil temperature changes.
Patrik Flodin took home the Production Car category win at Rally Sweden on Feb. 14th, 2010 using TEIN Gr.N coilovers. Flodin is currently driving a 2009 Subaru STI (GRB) which was prepared and maintained by TEIN Russia Authorized Dealer, Uspenskiy Rally Technica. This same car won the 2009 Russia Rally Championship with Flodin behind the wheel. TEIN has been a proud supporter of Patrik Flodin who has been using TEIN coilovers since 2006.
TEIN Gr.N coilovers have been used on Production Car – World Rally Championship (P-WRC) since 2005, and in the following series:
Russia Rally Championship, Finnish Rally Championship, All Japan Rally Championship, China Rally Championship, Rally America (including X-Games), British Rally Championship, All Japan Dirt Trial Championship, Norway Rally Championship, African Rally Championship, Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Polish Rally Championship, and many more localized events.
Gr.N coilover features:
• 3+1 – way damping force adjustment32-way High Speed Compression16-way Low Speed Compression16-way Rebound16-way Hydraulic Bump Stopper
• Inverted Mono Tube Construction for strut types (18mm piston dia.)
• Hydraulic Bump Stop is independently 16-way adjustable so traction is not affected
• Temperature Compensating Valve automatically adjusts damping force to counter act oil viscosity
• Micro Speed Valve allows for greater control of oil flow at low speed damping
• External Reservoir for great oil capacity and increased piston stroke
