Introduction
BBC One’s The One Show has showcased the Greenest Rally Car – a Honda Insight hybrid equipped with a custom-made Safety Devices roll cage.
Details
The car was modified by Paul Andrews of Oaktec Engineering in Lancaster. Aeron Lloyd, Safety Devices’ Chief Engineer, commented: “The Honda Insight is not commonly raced or rallied, so Paul’s car required a bespoke Safety Devices roll cage. The cage was designed to accommodate the batteries housed in the boot. The final design ensures the safety of the driver and passenger in the event of a rollover, without compromising the stiffness of the shell.”
The car combines an electric motor and gearbox with a 1L low-emission, fuel-efficient petrol engine and a tuned hybrid system, working together during acceleration to enhance performance.
The Honda Insight was welcomed into the F1000 club six years ago with the understanding that its pace would be monitored to ensure even performance for Paul and other competitors. Initially, the Motorsport community viewed the car as a joke due to its slow speed and spaceship-like appearance. However, Paul used his engineering expertise to harness the energy usually lost when the car decelerates. He installed a high-performance battery that holds significantly more power than a standard hybrid road car battery and implemented a system of controllers to increase the energy flow between the front and rear of the car, where the batteries are located. This innovative work has given the Honda Insight a significant advantage over other F1000 cars. Consequently, a discussion between Paul and the F1000 Club led to the car being reclassified into the modified category known as Super 1000. Impressively, the Honda Insight is already holding a strong position in the Super 1000 championship.
Paul is convinced that the technology is shedding its boring image, and with fuel efficiency at around 100 miles per gallon, he is confident that the Honda Insight has a promising future for everyday motorists.
Safety Devices has also designed and installed a roll cage in the second generation of Oaktec hybrid Honda, the Civic, which has enjoyed a highly successful racing history since. Safety Devices regularly completes this type of work for a range of adventurous customers.
Further Information
The story aired on The One Show, BBC One, Tuesday 6th September 2011.
For further information on Safety Devices products and capabilities, please visit our Motorsport sector.
