Panoz on Multimatics Shaker

On Mon 16th Team LNT took one of its fleet of three Panoz Esperantes to Multimatics, Thetford to go on a 4 post shaker rig. The 4 hydraulic posts bounce the car through a wide range of frequencies and forces, all the time with extensive data logging.

The car was set up on the 4 pads and wired up with accelerometers, load cells, and potentiometers. The day was going to be long with an infinite list of possible configurations. Tyres, dampers, springs and bars would all endure the tests. Even some less orthodox configurations were bounced around.

The Team LNT mechanics worked tirelessly to ensure the maximum allowable work was achieved. Team Manager Rodney Farrell commented “The rig is invaluable to understand how best to differentiate the effects of tyres, damper/springs/anti roll bars on the chassis and the subsequent ride quality.

“The Multimatics staff are the best in the business. You can come here with a good car and leave having learnt a lot more and get that last bit of performance. Or as we are doing, early in a new program, we are testing all the variables and understanding how they are effecting the performance and ride”.

Team LNT’s 3rd chassis (due for completion on Jan 20th) will soon see if all the numbers and data from the rig and the 2005 winter testing translates into performance. Lawrence Tomlinson, Warren Hughes and Tom Kimber-Smith are flying out with more crew to add to our now US based duet. Testing starts at Sebring on Jan 23rd and runs through to the 25th as part of IMSA’s ‘Wheels Down Winter Test’.

There’s then a short break, car prep and some more flying for the LNT crew and drivers for another test at Sebring on Feb 6th, 7th, 8th.

Its an exciting time at LNT. The Panoz offers such a great potential.