Malcolm Pointon and His Carbon Fiber Unlimited Buggy - Racing Lucas Oil Off-Road Series
- Nov 9, 2009
Malcom Pointon's racing goals for 2010 include winning an Unlimited Buggy Championship and earn a truck ride
The complex interwoven nature of the fiber makes it very difficult to break while reducing overall weight ridiculously. You can make really fast racecars from the stuff, ask Malcolm Pointon.
"The advantage of having a carbon fiber body is that the car's overall weight is lower and stiffer. This makes it easier to stop, and a lot more efficient to drive under race conditions. It is super-lightweight and it's super-strong. Carbon fiber is roughly 3 times stronger, and more than 4 times lighter than steel. Also, it's much easier to clean after each race."
Pointon's engine of choice is every bit as cutting-edge as the carbon fiber body. "The Toyota 4A-GE race engine is compact and it's a lightweight design. The 4A-GE's durability is equal to its performance. As a full racing engine it has proven itself. I have made many upgrades to the engine: titanium rods, a cam package, really, too many upgrades to name. Before the Arizona race we dry-sumped with TRD upgraded dry-sump parts, and changed to a K&N oil filter (HP-3001). Also, we are currently testing a new exhaust system from Fat Performance. I also have a Toyota 4A-GE spare engine, which I race with back in New Zealand, but it does not have the latest upgrades," continues Pointon.
"The Lucas Off Road Series, it's the best," declares Pointon. "Tony has done a great job, he has turned the sport totally around as far as I'm concerned. It's very competitive with all the top racers out there vying for the top spots, which just adds to the excitement of the racing. Our last race was Arizona, I placed 7th, but we had overheating problems. It's a hard track; I actually buckled four rear wheels - now that's hard. For the next race we are heading to Stateline, Primm, Nevada. I do all my own prep work on the car at my workshop; I'm a diesel mechanic by trade, so when I have a time, I work on the car. Right now all the problems have been sorted out, we have new wheels - we are ready to race next week."
"Besides the K&N oil filter I also use the K&N air filter (E-3471), the engine breather (RE-0280) - I find all of K&N's product's to be unbeatable."
Pointon's racing goals for the 2010 include winning an Unlimited Buggy Championship and earn a truck ride.
Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.