The Stohr WF1, another sports racer, a formula car with fenders if you will. The fenders create better aerodynamics, and as a result more grip from downforce and a sleeker shape for reduced drag resulting in more speed down the straights. But what makes the Stohr WF1 nearly 15 seconds a lap faster than the already quick Radical SR3?

First the WF1 is based upon a carbon-fibre cockpit that is combined with steel tube front and rear clips, a billet aluminium transaxle, lightweight 13-inch wheels, brakes and hollow control arms for ultimate weight savings. The WF1 weighs in at a mere 355 kg (780 lb) without driver or fuel on board, nearly 275 kg (600 lb) less than the Radical SR3.

The WF1 has a full ground effects underbody and is customizable with either a P1 tunnel floor or a P2 flat floor. My car is equipped with the P1 floor which offers even more downforce and superior performance. The large carbon rear wing with adjustable flaps is positioned to maximize air flow from the rear diffuser, while the front carbon fibre diffuser provides crash protection and equal front grip. The body is available in full carbon fibre or fiberglass mesh – the carbon body is approximately 25 lb lighter than the less expensive glass body.

Like the Radical, the Stohr is powered by a motorbike engine – unlike the Radical, the Stohr can actually be driven by various engines depending on the driver’s preference. That said most WF1s, including mine, are powered by a Suzuki GSXR-1000. This engine is rated at around 170 hp giving the Stohr WF1 a power to ratio of approximately 4.7 lb per horsepower. But racecars are not all about straight line speed. The low weight and large four-piston calipers allow the WF1 to achieve near 3g in braking, while the massive amount of downforce allows for similar cornering potential. The WF1 is capable of producing approximately 2,400 lb of downforce – in theory one could drive a WF1 upside down and defy gravity.

Unlike the Radical the Stohr is a single seater, more true to the formula vehicle class – Stohr or more correct Dauntless racing who recently purchased the design rights to the Stohr design, also makes an open wheel version of this car called the F1000.

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