Bowin P6

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The Bowin P6 is a racing car that was designed and built in Australia in 1973 by Bowin for the Formula Ford & Australian Formula 2 categories. [1]

Bowin Cars

Bowin Cars was an Australian designer and manufacturer of motor racing cars from 1968 to 1976.

Formula Ford race car class

Formula Ford is an entry-level class of single seater, open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held across the world form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. Formula Ford has traditionally been regarded as the first major stepping stone into formula racing after karting. The series typically sees professional career minded drivers enter alongside amateurs and enthusiasts. Success in Formula Ford can lead directly to other junior formulae such as a Formula Renault 2.0 or a Formula Three seat.

Australian Formula 2

Australian Formula 2, sometimes abbreviated to AF2 or ANF2, is a "wings and slicks" formula racing category in Australia. The category is one of Australia's oldest, dating back to 1964. The current format of AF2 was introduced in 1978. Brian Shead of Cheetah Racing Cars and Garrie Cooper of Elfin Racing Cars were largely responsible for the development of the format, which was devised to suit the needs of Australian drivers, most of whom had little or no sponsorship and had to bear the costs of racing out of their own pockets.

Specifications

Bowin P6 Formula Ford driven by John Leffler Bowin P6.png
Bowin P6 Formula Ford driven by John Leffler

The chassis was a space frame built to full 2-litre specifications, with alloy-stressed panels and finished in stove enamel. It incorporated a fully detachable rear cross beam to facilitate engine maintenance, permitting removal of the engine and gearbox as one unit. The body was a full aerodynamic wedge, incorporating side radiators. The interior of the cockpit was covered in fully moulded seat and trim sections, making it exceptionally comfortable and roomy.

Space frame structure made of connected strands of metal, fiber, or other flexible/ductile material, with evenly spaced openings between them

In architecture and structural engineering, a space frame or space structure is a rigid, lightweight, truss-like structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports. Like the truss, a space frame is strong because of the inherent rigidity of the triangle; flexing loads are transmitted as tension and compression loads along the length of each strut. Steel space frames provide great freedom of expression and composition as well as the possibility to evenly distribute loads along each rod and external constraints. With these features, steel space frames can be used to achieve also complex geometries with a structural weight lower than any other solution. The inner highly hyper-static system provides an increased resistance to damages caused by fire, explosions, shocks and earthquakes. Space frames are modular and made of highly industrialized elements designed with a remarkable dimensional accuracy and precise surface finish.

Vitreous enamel Material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing

Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C. The powder melts, flows, and then hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating. The word comes from the Latin vitreum, meaning "glassy".

Engine machine designed to produce mechanical energy from another form of energy

An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one form of energy into mechanical energy. Heat engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to do work. Internal combustion engines are heat engines that burn fuel in a combustion chamber to extract work from the pressure of expanding gases. Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical motion; pneumatic motors use compressed air; and clockwork motors in wind-up toys use elastic energy. In biological systems, molecular motors, like myosins in muscles, use chemical energy to create forces and eventually motion.

The rear suspension incorporated twin radius arms, parallel links, Armstrong adjustable dampers, and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The front suspension was a double-wide-based wishbone design, with Armstrong adjustable dampers and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The coil spring units for both front and rear were mounted inboard with "Bowin variable rate spring control".

Shock absorber mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb, smooth out or damp any sudden shock impulse and dissipate kinetic energy (typically heat); usually consists of a combination of a spring and a dashpot; most shock absorbers are a form of dashpot

A shock absorber is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy which is then dissipated. Most shock absorbers are a form of dashpot.

Coil spring

A coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces. They are made of an elastic material formed into the shape of a helix which returns to its natural length when unloaded.

The P6 was steered by a lightweight rack and pinion designed by Bowin, with an energy absorbing steering column surmounted by a leather-covered steering wheel. It had 9.75 in (24.8 cm) disc brakes with alloy caliper assemblies. The twin braking system was adjustable for length and had an adjustable-ratio balance control. The rear brakes were mounted inboard on the gearbox to reduce unsprung weight. The wheels were magnesium, with 10 in × 13 in (25 cm × 33 cm) in front and 12 in × 13 in (30 cm × 33 cm) or 14 in × 13 in (36 cm × 33 cm) in the rear.

Rack and pinion machine element

A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move relative to the pinion, thereby translating the rotational motion of the pinion into linear motion.

Steering column steering column

The automotive steering column is a device intended primarily for connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism.

Steering wheel type of steering control in vehicles and vessels (ships and boats)

A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels.

It had a wheelbase of 93 in (240 cm), a track of 61 (front) and 63 (rear), and a weight of 822 lb (373 kg) with twin cam engine.

The transmission was a Hewland FT2000, providing five speeds and reverse, and it had an alloy adaptor plate. The hydraulic clutch system was complete, up to and including the release mechanism on the gearbox.

Transmission (mechanics) machine in a power transmission system for controlled application of the power;gearbox,uses gears/gear trains to provide speed,torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device;reduces the higher engine speed to the slower wheel speed

A transmission is a machine in a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Often the term transmission refers simply to the gearbox that uses gears and gear trains to provide speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device.

Hewland is a British engineering company, founded in 1957 by Mike Hewland, which specialises in racing-car gearboxes. Hewland currently employ 130 people at their Maidenhead facility and have diversified into a variety of markets being particularly successful in electric vehicle transmission supply.

Clutch machine element for rigid, elastic, movable or releasable connection of two shafts

A clutch is a mechanical device which engages and disengages power transmission especially from driving shaft to driven shaft.

The engine was water-cooled by twin, cross-flow, lightweight, side-mounted radiators, with a deaireator control tank and pressure cap. The alloy oil tank was fitted with antisurge baffles, a deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings, and an alloy oil cooler. Fuel was contained in alloy tanks mounted in the midsection of the car for better weight distribution. The P6 was supplied with engine mountings.

The electrical system was powered by a 12 volt, lightweight, aircraft battery, which had a master battery control. It powered a starter solenoid via starter button and switches, as well as an array of instruments, including tachometer (0–10,000 rpm), oil pressure, water temperature, and oil temperature.

All suspension parts were finished in new Bowin satin finish, and the other parts were cadium plated and stove enamelled. The body was painted in a colour of the customer's choice.

Options for the P6 were:

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References

  1. Pedr Davis, The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, 1986, page 54