The Australian designed and built Skelta G-Force sports car has been entered into a Nation-wide promotional competition being coordinated by the SBS Channel’s Internationally acclaimed ‘Top Gear’ motoring program.
Gold Coast V8 Supercar driver David Besnard is a central figure in a three minute Skelta G-Force pilot after having been recently offered the opportunity to road test the vehicle at Warwick’s Morgan Park Raceway.
The Toowoomba designed and built sports car only last year secured a maiden International tarmac rally podium during Targa New Zealand, after performing admirably on debut at Targa Tasmania.
“Being an avid fan of the ‘Top Gear’ program we couldn’t resist the opportunity to showcase what we’ve created with the Skelta G-Force and are hoping our fans will log in and vote in support of our limited production sports car venture, †said Skelta Managing Director Ray Vandersee.
“Without the multi-million dollar budgets of the bigger sports car retailers we see this promotion as a small way of letting people know about our revolutionary vehicle which is being produced out of Toowoomba.
“With a major slant towards the performance attributes of the car including superior handling and braking components, coupled with the overall aerodynamic capabilities of the car, it’s hoped the Skelta G-Force will become the ideal test case for the UK-based Top Gear program Down Under.
Vandersee will continue to campaign his performance based, road registered vehicle this weekend during the Gatton Street Sprints, which will be contested around the streets directly in front of parent company, Vanderfield Pty Ltd Gatton branch.
“In fact, Vanderfield is a major supporter of the event with much of the pit area owned by the company and made available to the event organisers each year, †said Vandersee.
As a local event for the Skelta team, the Gatton feature always provides a great atmosphere and there is the obvious advantage of having experienced a full season of tarmac racing since the 2006 Lockyer Valley campaign.
“In essence the Gatton Street Sprints represents phase one of the new season assignment and as we did last year we’ll use the exercise to further prep the car towards Targa Tasmania later in the year, †added Vandersee.
“Last year we had a mixed bag with the weather yet still managed a fourth placing overall in the one kilometre time trial event so there’s the incentive for us to go even better this weekend.
“One thing for sure we will definitely be one of the quickest road registered cars driven to the circuit.
“Since we were last here we’ve enjoyed great success with an International tarmac rally podium in New Zealand and of course our near miss during Targa Tasmania.
“From a driving perspective I’m a lot more comfortable in the car and I’m sure that will show in our performances but more than anything I just can’t wait to suit up and get behind the wheel of the Skelta and shoot for greater success. â€
Aesthetically the Skelta G-Force is a modern, if not futuristic model and the road registered, racing vehicle has also been masterfully created to provide optimum aerodynamic qualities.
The vehicle draws inspiration from proven competition vehicles including the modern day Formula One car and the Panoz Le Mans sports racer. Some believe the car also bears some resemblance to the English TVR sportsters.
The Australian made Skelta G-Force is set to pack an even mightier punch during 2007, courtesy of a revolutionary lightweight RST V8 engine that will come as an upgrade option on the sports car model.
That’s great news for potential Australian tarmac rally purchasers of the power-packed machine, with the move up into a V8 engine package is sure to make the Skelta G-Force an even more formidable proposition at events such as the highly acclaimed Targa Tasmania.
Sports car circuit racing enthusiasts will also appreciate the supreme performance offered by the 2.4 litre V8 version that produces up to 283kW at 9,800RPM.
But the V8 package won’t be ready for this year’s April 17-21 Targa Tasmania event, with Vandersee and his small Darling Downs based Skelta G-Force Racing team honing in on another genuine assault driving the current model.
Competitors will cover 450 competition kilometres over 43 stages as Targa Tasmania is conducted over five days.
The overall goal from participation in 2007 will be to deliver on the performance potential shown by a gutsy initiation last year.
That experience, coupled with a second outright placing at Targa New Zealand, plus competition at various other hillclimb and sprint events, means Vandersee is in a much stronger position, boasting many more miles behind the wheel of his self designed creation.
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