#KAGEISEN

[hirocimacruiser]

Thorough dissection of KAGEISEN ROADSTER

this is the strongest ever Roadster

Roadster racing cars are called Freshman Races. It's a small FR that doesn't cost a lot, is running a lot in gymkhanas, and has plenty of racing parts. It's a good material to challenge motor sports. However, the roadster introduced here is a little different. It is truly a unique machine that should be called a great challenge.

Photography: Takashi Takeda Photography: Shunichi Moriyama Editorial Department

It's still in the maturing stage, but it's one to expect

It is a unique machine among all the racing roadsters. Kagei Sen means Tokyo Science and Arts College. The school offers a variety of courses related to automobiles, and this machine was created as part of the racing attack course. And I'm actually participating in the race, but it's great that the place for that challenge is the JGTC, that is, the All Japan Championship.

The instructor, Toshihiko Nogami, is a former Mazda Speed ​​staff member who also works as a driver for this machine and loves racing. This class is led by Mr. Nogami's experience and passion, but I heard that racing is not a "bad road," and that Honda's participation in F1 also had the purpose of developing human resources for its employees. Because it is a certain amount, the effect must be great.

We chose the Roadster as the base because it is a unique car like no other.

The main reason for this is that it is easy to use, and of course the small size and low center of gravity is also a big point as a base machine. In order to load more 13B rotaries, the layout of the exhaust, etc., has a balance with the fuel tank, which is compact and does not take up much space. As a result, it became a “real racing car” with elaborate construction such as left-hand drive and inboard suspension.

Of course, these have the meaning of studying as teaching materials, but they are also effective because they are actually fighting in practice. From a purely fast-paced standpoint, the short wheelbase leaves some stability concerns, but it's an advantage on technical tracks, and the low center of gravity due to the open space is an advantage. If it is the same engine, there is hope that it will be faster than FD.

So far, he has not been able to start in Round 3, and although he ran in Round 4, he was forced to retire due to damage to the oil cooler. Currently, we are steadily repeating test runs, so I am looking forward to the future when it is finished.

ENGINE&SUSPENSION

Push rod suspension for rotary engine

The 13B peripheral port uses Weber Alpha's electronically controlled injection, which uses the exhaust pipe of the 787B. The elaborate inboard suspension is a damper for the RS race machine that I had on hand.

This seems to have happened in order to make use of the front push rods from the Mazda 253. The rear suspension unit fits in the trunk. The degree of freedom of setting performed by changing the lever ratio is large.

COCKPIT

of the layout from problem to left-hand drive

Due to limited space, an 80-liter fuel tank has been added to the rear, but in order to keep the high exhaust of the rotary from approaching, a tunnel is provided at the lower right end to accommodate the muffler. This is also because the exhaust of the rotary is on the right side, so it is a left-hand drive. The dash does not retain its original form, and the interior is equipped with additional bars. Pedals are RS.

AERO PARTS Are these Aeros coming soon?

The hardtop is made of carbon. Rigidity is also improved, and the weight can be reduced by nearly 10kg compared to normal. Considering the air resistance, it is said that the top is good. Front bumper, spoiler, fender October with mirrors to be released at the end.

SPECIFICATION

full length 3970mm

Width 1775mm

Height not clear

Wheelbase 2265mm

Tread (F/R) 1505/1520mm

vehicle weight 950kg

engine type 13b

engine type rotary peripheral port

Total displacement 654ccX 2

Maximum output 320PS/9000rpm

Maximum torque 27.0kg-m/8000rpm

suspension Pushrod + W wishbone

Tire (F/R) 215/625-17 / 240/625-17