Return to 750 Formula for champion Robson

Double 750 Formula champion Dave Robson is planning to return to the series this year at the wheel of a new SDAR chassis.

Robson began racing in the class with his previous chassis, that featured an 850cc Reliant engine, in 1983. Having taken a sabbatical since moving house – and eventually selling his progressively updated 2009 and 2012 title-winning SDAR/83 to Nigel Terry last summer – the Derbyshire railway engineer is well advanced with his SDAR/17.

“I’ve taken a ‘techy’ approach to designing and building it,” said Robson. “It’s been an interesting journey and has required me to learn new skills, including using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) programme to draw out most components. I used a cheap 3D scanner to capture the shape of the driver, engine, gearbox, differential and steering rack to fit them into the CAD model.”

The chassis is formed from steel top rails and roll hoop allied to laser-cut sheet aluminium lower sections, riveted and bonded to form a semi-monocoque structure. As with SDAR/83, the car is suspended by rigid beam axles.

Now on its wheels, with 1107cc Fiat FIRE engine and Quaife gearbox installed, Robson and his colleague Frank Brown are now turning their attention to the bodywork, with the aim of debuting the car mid-season.