Swift 017.n

The Swift 017.n was the sole racing car for the Super Formula (formerly: Formula Nippon) between 2009 and 2013. The initial FN09 version was upgraded for the 2013 season dubbed SF13.

Swift 017.n
CategorySuper Formula
ConstructorSwift Engineering
PredecessorLola B06/51
SuccessorDallara SF14
Technical specifications
Length4,775 mm (188.0 in)
Width2,000 mm (78.7 in)
Height960 mm (37.8 in)
Wheelbase3,000 mm (118.1 in)
EngineHonda HR-09E/HR-10E or Toyota RV8K, 3.4 L (207 cu in), V8, MR
TransmissionRicardo 6 speed sequential
Weight670 kg (1,477.1 lb) (including driver)
BrakesCarbon
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Debut2009 Formula Nippon season
Last event2013 JAF Grand Prix

History

After many years of Lola Cars competition in Formula Nippon a new chassis was needed for the 2009 season. As early as 2007 American company Swift Engineering, headed by former Japanese racing driver Hiro Matsushita, was selected to provide the new racing car to all teams.[1] The Swift 017.n was designed by Swift Engineering chief designer Chris Norris. Dutch engineer Casper van der Schoot was the program director.[2] The car was initially intended to compete as of 2009 through 2011, however the run of the race car was extended through 2013.

The racecar was characterized by the distinctive exterior appearance. The dual wing design of the front wing and rearwing provided the car with 750 kg of downforce (in combination with the diffuser).[3] The car made its race debut at Fuji Speedway on April 5, 2009. Kohei Hirate scored the pole position as Benoît Tréluyer won the race.

FT5000

In April 2016 it was revealed that the Swift 017.n chassis was chosen as the base chassis for a new race series, Formula Thunder 5000. The series is intended to race in New Zealand and Australia, resembling the former Tasman Series. New-Zealander Chris Lambden purchased one chassis from Swift Engineering as a prototype for the series. The rolling chassis was fitted with a 5.0L Ford Coyote V8 engine. Michael Borland, of Borland Racing Developments, purchased the molds and drawings to build additional chassis fitted to the FT5000 specifications. The modifications included a modified front wing and heightened air box to more resemble the former Formula 5000.[4]

Statistics

A total of 24 Swift 017.n chassis were built. In Formula Nippon 39 races were ran with the American built chassis.

Best laps
CircuitBest lap
Honda engineToyota engine
Suzuka Circuit1:37.774 (Naoki Yamamoto), Round 7, 2013)1:38.067 (João Paulo de Oliveira, Round 7, 2013)
Twin Ring Motegi1:33.239 (Koudai Tsukakoshi, Round 7, 2011)1:32.700 (Loïc Duval, Round 4, 2013)
Fuji International Speedway1:23.035 (Takashi Kogure, 2013 JAF Grand Prix)1:22.718 (Yuji Kunimoto, 2013 JAF Grand Prix)
Sports Land SUGO1:05.843 (Loïc Duval, Round 5, 2010)1:05.889 (Loïc Duval, Round 6, 2013)
Autopolis1:28.523 (Koudai Tsukakoshi, Round 3, 2012)1:29.017 (Tsugio Matsuda, Round 3, 2012)
  • Formula Nippon at Motegi in 2010
  • A detail picture of the front wing
  • Front view of the Swift 017.n entered by Petronas Team TOM's
  • Loïc Duval at Motegi in 2010
  • Koudai Tsukakoshi at Twin Ring Motegi in 2012

References
  1. "Swift Engineering, Inc. Selected as Formula Nippon Chassis Supplier". Swift Engineering. Archived from the original on December 29, 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2016.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. "Swift 017.N". Racecar Engineering. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. "Formula Nippon chassis built by American company Swift. Looks better than F1 car". Import Atlanta. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  4. "Modern Formula 5000 category launched". Speedcafe. Retrieved 3 April 2016.


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