Hawk HF3000 Track-Day version?

[StratRat]

After a forced absence, I am getting closer to building a Stratos. I seem to remember a brief blurb on Pistonheads.com about a year ago stating that Hawk was developing a Track-Day version of the HF3000 focusing on light weight and modern suspension/brakes for road course suitability. This spring I graduated from a 4-day road racing school, and it was one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever done.

So, did Hawk develop such a car or is this memory another byproduct of the drug use of my youth? Has John Rutter finished his 2nd race car, or is it still in the works? Was that car to have a different suspension/brakes from Hawk, or focused on lighter, stiffer and more horsepower?

If I want a Stratos to be able to take to the track and compete with, say a new Lotus Elise, is my best choice still the Corse?

Thank you
StratRat

[John]

Think this might answer your question, Michael!
It's a Corse, of course!

[rutthenut]

Has John Rutter finished his 2nd race car, or is it still in the works? Was that car to have a different suspension/brakes from Hawk, or focused on lighter, stiffer and more horsepower?

If I want a Stratos to be able to take to the track and compete with, say a new Lotus Elise, is my best choice still the Corse?

The 'track day spec' HF was essentially a package of various options from Gerry; it wasn't a different car, but included door bars, kevlar body panel options, rose joint suspension and the like.

That second car of mine is 'on hold', for varous reasons (mostly time/money).

It is still a Hawk, and has a lighter but stiffer chassis (considerable extra work on this) and lightweight body panels. Mid-mounted fuel tank, different front suspension top mounts, longer rear wishbones, but otherwise it isn't really any different. Plan is/was to have a fairly modified 24v Alfa unit, with throttle bodies, hot cams, big valves, paddle clutch, limited slip diff and so on.

In the mean time, I've put a 24v engine into my earlier HF3000 and with large intake runners and associated chip, that should be putting out around 240bhp.


As for your question on which car to put against an Elise - that does really depend on where you expect to be competing. Eligibility is an issue for many kits and specials.

One place where the Stratos is welcome is the Sports Racing and GT Challenge.

Roger Donnan has been racing in that series for a couple of years now. I entered some races last year, and hope to get back out with those guys when I can.

So there are two Hawks that are currently/recently competing in circuit racing. There's also the Corse shown here, which has had a long history of circuit racing (and some driver-induced damage). So both can do the job,

Of course, I would recommend the Hawk ;-)

[StratRat]

Guys, thank you for your answers.....John Rutter, yeah that time and money problem.....lots of us. Car sounds great, best to you, keep us updated

StratRat