With
talent to burn Richie Rapa is certainly a promising prospect in
Australian Motorsport, and his
official website www.richierapa.com is the place to come to for
all you need to know about this youngster.
Currently competing in the Aussie Racing Car Series, Rapa certainly turned heads throughout his rookie year and was amongst the front runners, basically from the outset, and this saw plenty of eyes on him as the year progressed.
The long-term prospect for Rapa is to reach the level of V8 Supercars in Australia, and with his strong results throughout his years in Go Karting, and now in his debut year of Aussie Racing Cars in 2007, there is a strong chance that he will end up there.
Stay tuned to www.richierapa.com for regular updates in regards to his progress in Motorsport.
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What is an Aussie Racing Car?
The Aussie Racing Car combines current racing technology and performance in a one-design class where all cars are mechanically identical with strict rules in place to maintain that position. 4 different body styles cater to the liking of all tastes.
Classic Ford and Holden body style for the nostalgia buffs and Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore body styles which replicate the V8 Supercars…. and all in approximately half size. The driver’s skill level is the determining factor for winning contention in Aussie Racing Car competition.
Cars are constructed on a purpose built steel tubular space frame chassis with integral roll cage construction designed and approved to stringent engineering specifications. The lightweight composite body is a faithfully designed caricature of its full size counterpart featuring opening doors, boot and lift off front section. Powered by a 1.2 Litre 125 BHP twin cam 16 valve engine that revs to 11500 RPM, the performance is exhilarating. The 450kg all up weight provides an incredible power to weight ratio that allows the little machine to rocket to a speed of well in excess of 200KPH The Lap times achieved are staggering, at Oran Park Raceway for example the cars lap within six seconds of a V8 Supercar.
The cockpit layout is purpose built and functional. The racing seat and five point racing harness holds the driver firmly and comfortably in place as the incredible cornering g-forces rocket the car off the corners. The steering is light, fast and precise with only one turn lock to lock and requiring minimal steering movement during racing. The sequential gear lever falls easily to hand up close to the steering wheel and the carbon fibre dash displays the necessary instrumentation. The chassis design incorporates simplicity in suspension adjustment to cater for all drivers likings including castor / camber, sway bar, roll centre and ride height etc. brakes have simple front to rear bias adjustment.
13-8-08 Mechanical Issues Hinder Rapa’s Winton Debut
27-5-08 Rapa Takes Oran Park Raceway Success
9-4-08 Rapa Fights Hard for Wakefield Park Results
18-3-08 Rapa Rockets to Round Victory in Aussie Racing Series
11-3-08 Rapa’s Weekend of Promise and Disappointment
4-3-08 Rapa Sets his Sights on 2008 Aussie Racing Series Title
24-10-07 Strong Gold Coast Fight Back from Rapa
18-9-07 Rapa’s Sandown Weekend Finishes in Strong Fashion
23-8-07 Contrasting Weekend of Results for Rapa
