RODIN PROJECT TURNS THE CORNER

Single-seater specialist Rodin Cars, based in Waiau, North Canterbury, but aiming for global prominence, has upgraded its test track with a full resurface and the addition of what it says is a “challenging 130m radius corner . . . similar to Suzuka’s famous 130R corner”.

To ensure the existing track would not crack or move once a new layer of asphalt was overlaid, a bespoke combination of HaTelit C and HaTelit XP (you’ve heard of those, right?) with a 40mm AC10 asphalt overlay was used. The materials were imported from Germany and Rodin says this project “marks one of the largest uses of these advanced materials in New Zealand”.

The track has been personally designed by founder David Dicker. There are three stages designed to allow testing of the company’s FZED and FZERO single seaters; the 900m straight on the Stage 3 track allows the current FZED to hit 300km/h.

The company describes its FZED as a single-seater with “performance to rival modern-era Grand Prix racers”. The 609kg (wet) machine makes 503kW/490Nm from its 10,000rpm Cosworth GPV8 engine. British media have quoted a price of around NZ$1m for the car.

The FZERO is being developed as the next step towards a customer machine that aims to be “faster than a current Grand Prix Formula 1 racer”. Its 4.0-litre V10 will be available in 522kW and 746kW (1000bhp in the very old money) configurations.

Next to the track is a customer experience and development centre.