008 for ‘08

Athens, GA–G. Jezarian Racing took delivery of a new Formula Atlantic chassis for the 2008 season today. The Swift 008.a is a substantial improvement to the team’s DB-4 chassis which dominated the Formula Atlantic series for the first five years after it was produced. There were a total of 53 008.a race cars produced by Swift Engineering and the chassis has proven to be both reliable and cost effective in Formula Atlantic competition.

Among the many safety improvements over the DB-4, the 008.a possess a completely carbon fibre monocoque, an impact absorbing carbon nose and an improved dash structure to footbox area which can allow legs to be pulled back in the event of a disastrous frontal impact. The driver sits lower beneath the main roll hoop and the chassis is widened near the shoulder belt area to facilitate use of a HANS (head and neck restraint) device.

Performance improvements over last season’s chassis include an anhedral nose which improves airflow to the ground effects tunnels and 15″ inch wheels allow much larger and more powerful brakes. Jezarian adds, “Of all the differences between the DB-4 and 008.a, I’m most looking forward to having a sequential gearbox. The [DB-4] cockpit was so tight last year, we really only had a 4-speed box with the old “H” pattern because getting the shift lever left and back to reach first gear was nearly impossible while racing. With the new car, I can just bang first through fifth by pulling the lever back, and with the no-lift-shift, I can keep the throttle buried.”

The team have already begun preparations for 2008. Team Manager Monty Mathisen comments on the new chassis: “We’re taking the new car down to the tub over the winter to inspect and paint. We’ll add our radio system, transponder and familiarize everyone with the newer data acquisition system on this car as well. Our work load has pretty much doubled now that we’re a two-car team. The 008 will be run in SCCA and we’ll aim to hit as many vintage races as possible with the DB-4. I know Greg has wanted to run the Zippo Classic at Watkins Glen for years so I suspect we’ll be there in ‘08″