And now, there
can be only one ...
The Demon Chaser
At the end of the 1996 season, Nate Brown de-constructed portions of the boat and, removing the majority of wood panels and frames, reconstructed the bottom, deck and cockpit utilizing honeycomb panels. Prior to this, Ron Jones rebuilt the sponsons and double vacuum bagged them with composite material. The boat was not run in the 1997 season and, in April of 1998, was purchased by the current owner. Nate Brown was immediately commissioned to fabricate a canopy and tails, as well as install an escape hatch in order to comply with the UNLIMITED LIGHTS SERIES race rules. In December 1998, after the aforementioned parts were completed, the boat made its way from Olympia, Washington, to her new home on the East Coast in Hampton, Virginia. At this point, the real work was started. The entire cockpit was stripped of all wiring, gauges, dash and seat. Different individuals fabricated several new dashes, until the right design and shape was found which met the owner's requirements. This also held true for the air bottle bracket; initially a collaborative design and fabrication effort. (Note: the initial design simply could not hold up to the rigors of racing. At the end of the 2002 season, Steve Lewis fabricated a new system which, while simple in design, will hold up to the pounding this boat takes on the race course). The electrical wizard, Dexter Phibbs, has installed all new gauges and wiring. In addition, Dexter engineered the installation of the fire system and radios; no small task, considering the limited amount of space available. A new aluminum race seat was purchased and immediately cut, contoured and rewelded to fit the driver. |
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In the tight confines of the cockpit, Steve Lewis carefully engineered and installed a more responsive foot pedal system, replacing the slower, electrical activation system for the canards. The steering bracket holding the steering shaft has been replaced with a new Henry Lauterbach designed/fabricated system. This was necessary in order to create room for the pedal system.
 The craftsmen ponder ... Steve Lewis & Henry Lauterbach |
 Renown boat builder / championship driver Larry Lauterbach |
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The cowling was completely stripped to include the heavy rubber tie-downs used to fasten it to the deck. Completely re-glassed and re-strengthened; the rubber tie-downs have been replaced with a "hinge" system for a "clean" uncomplicated appearance. Originally a system was devised involving six custom fabricated discs, which attached the cowling to the deck, however after installing a section of the system, it was felt it would not hold up to the pounding this boat is expected to take on the racecourse. The system was discarded and a simple "hinge and pin" system was employed.
The Unlimited Lights Series tails have been permanently installed; the original canards have been removed and replicated in heavier gauge aluminum by the legendary Henry Lauterbach. (NOTE: when the words "custom" or "fabricated" is used in the context of parts, unless otherwise noted, it can reasonably be assumed these were made by Henry. There are several instances in which Henry would look at a commercial fitting or bracket, and unsatisfied with the fit or placement, would simply fabricate one of better quality).
Steve Lewis, an excellent fabricator as well as an exceptional painter of higher end sports cars whose reputation precedes him, then removed every plastic inspection port on the boat and replaced each one with a custom fabricated aluminum plate, curved and recessed properly in the deck for maximum function as well as form. In addition, Steve fabricated a number of new inspection ports to insure the boat could be maintenanced easily and efficiently.
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Page last updated Sunday, March 27, 2005 |
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