Aston Martin Vulcan and a Frustrating Story!

[LCD Gauges]

I have a cool, but frustrating story to tell. A few weeks ago I had an interview at a local company which specializes
In automotive engineering and motorsports. This place is a stone’s throw from where I live and has taken on some
very impressive projects with Ford, Aston Martin, and Formula 1 race teams to name a few.

During the interview, they showed me around the facility where I saw the new Ford GT being assembled. Multimatic
[the company] is building the proto-types and developing some of the suspension and carbon fiber body / interior panels.

Most of the cabin interior, including the floor pans are carbon fiber as with much of the body. My job (if selected)
would be installing all the computer modules and then testing the systems before the car is delivered. They let
me climb inside as they described the components. I felt a tear fall from my eye when the guy explained, “This is the
crash car.” I asked, “can I have the engine and other surviving parts from the test?!” It’s tough to believe this
machine will be destroyed in the name of safety.

The frustrating part is that I haven’t received a call back for nearly a month. The position is still open however
as the agency that scouted me has direct contact with the manager. The latest news is that I’m still being “considered”,
however there’s no progress. I’m salivating as the visions of working on these vehicles would be a dream!

Also noteworthy is the same company built and helped to engineer the Aston Martin Vulcan. A local photographer
snapped these shots. This is an excerpt from Wiki:

“It is a rear-wheel drive, track-only sports car (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car) that runs on a new 7 l (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litre) V12 engine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V12_engine) mounted on an aluminium alloy chassis
and carbon fibre body delivering 800 brake horsepower (600 kW). The Vulcan is fitted with carbon ceramic brakes,
magnesium torque tube with a carbon fibre propeller shaft, limited-slip differential, Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox
and has a curb weight of 1350 kg.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vulcan#cite_note-1)

The Vulcan is designed by Aston Martin's creative officer Marek Reichman (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek_Reichman), taking inspirations from Aston Martin current
modelsVantage (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vantage_(2005)) and DB9 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_DB9).[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vulcan#cite_note-2) The Vulcan is to be a limited edition vehicle, only 24 cars will be made priced at $2.3 million.[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Vulcan#cite_note-3)
he Aston Martin Vulcan was introduced. It is a track-only sports car.

With its naturally-aspirated 7.0-litre (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litre) V12 engine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V12_engine) 800-plus hp engine developed partly with Aston Martin Racing, this front
mid-engined, rear-wheel drivesupercar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercar) draws extensively on the brand’s rich GT motorsport experience. It utilizes techniques
of motorsport engineering with the Vulcan seeing its power-to-weight ratio exceed those of the FIA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIA) GTE cars which compete
in the World Endurance Championship.

With engineering sourced from the brand's successful GT racing campaign, the car features a carbon fibre monocoque and
body constructed by Aston Martin’s long-term specialist body engineering and manufacturing partner Multimatic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimatic), integral
limited-slip differential, magnesium torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft and Brembo racing calipers acting on
carbon ceramic racing disc brakes which measure 380mm in diameter at the front and 360 mm at the rear.

Drive is channeled to the 345/30x19 rear wheels and Michelin race specification tyres through a race-bred rear mid-mounted
Xtrac six-speed sequential shift gearbox. Front tires are 305/30x19.

The car has race-derived pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry is complemented by Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension
Spool Valve (DSSV) adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars front and rear, driver-adjustable anti-lock braking, and variable
traction control. The Vulcan will comply with all relevant FIA (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIA) race safety requirements.”
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[LCD Gauges]

These images are from inside the Markham Ontario facility
5332753328
I believe this image was taken on the road in front of the building.
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[crash]

Interestingly, if the Vulcan and the GT got together it would look and be laid out strikingly like a Falcon...not a Ford Falcon, but the Falcon that some guy claims on the other forum, "this started out as a GTM project".

[LCD Gauges]

Right you are, the styles are very similar.

Apology for the error in spelling Aston Martin!

[LCD Gauges]

It finally happened! The employment offer was received today, I'm one lucky SOB! :eek:

Hopefully they let me snap some shots of the facility and car. It's a pinch-me kinda moment right now.

[Presto51]

Very nice indeed! Congrats

Ron

[JL1958]

What a great opportunity. I filled out the application to get to purchase one, but I'm about $350k short. LOL!
Congratulations on having such a cool job!

[KDubU]

Congrats! That sounds like an awesome job.

[The Stig]

It finally happened! The employment offer was received today, I'm one lucky SOB! :eek:

Hopefully they let me snap some shots of the facility and car. It's a pinch-me kinda moment right now.

That's amazing! Good for you, and Congratulations on the achievement. I'm sure it won't be the last. Enjoy the moment, and the time spent there. Later on, when you're grand kids ask you how you got to be so cool, you'll have plenty of stories to tell them! :cool:

Mike

[LCD Gauges]

Ha, nice message Mike!

I'm happy to share this news with
people who can relate to cars and
have a genuine interest in working
on them.

I can't think of a better place to chat
about this experience.

Thanks to all for the comments
and allowing me to offload my
adrenalin rush!

[crash]

Congrats!

Now prepare yourself because race teams and companies work on REAL deadlines and, at least the ones I have worked for, will require you to put in a TON of overtime.

[WIS89]

AWESOME news! Congratulations on a very fine achievement. That machine is breathtaking.

I can't imagine how excited you are to be part of such an awesome car and company.

I know you will enjoy being part of something that freaking cool!! Please share as much as they will allow!

Congratulations again, and best of luck!

Regards,

Steve

[tucker298]

Wow that's a very cool story and great news!

[LCD Gauges]

Thanks Mike.

I'm fairly used to fast-paced environments and tight deadlines. A while ago my gig was working for a satellite mfg.

The customers would write huge penalties for missed ship dates.
If you had to reschedule a launch date to get a new TV or millitary product
in to orbit, you pretty much ate the entire cost of the product (and then some).

I'm looking forward to the challenge!


Congrats!

Now prepare yourself because race teams and companies work on REAL deadlines and, at least the ones I have worked for, will require you to put in a TON of overtime.

[Taz Rules]

Congrats, Tino!!!! :D

Raising a pint in your honour!

[Kalstar]

Well now we are talking.....someone soon to be famous drove my car �� Congrats.

[LCD Gauges]

Soon to be famous? Me? For getting a new job?

No way man, I'm just the needle in the haystack in this grand scheme.

Mr. Taz - Ash, guzzle that drink and get well soon.

[rev2xs]

Congrats Tino!

Good news indeed :)

[fastthings]

Congrats Tino, what a blessing.

[Presto51]

Okay I waited a couple days.

Tino what kind of employee discount can you get us for the new GT ? :rolleyes:

I'm thinking group buy? Johnnie Cash discount?

Ron

[LCD Gauges]

I'm sure I can workout 50% off tire valve caps. How many would you like?

[LCD Gauges]

I know many of you will enjoy this series. As I continue to research this car, it gets more and more impressive.

P.S. The guy in video #2 at 2:47 will be signing my paycheque. :eek:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd-HyazYbCU

[LCD Gauges]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fQYuBZ-2ug

[LCD Gauges]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4r5nJ-Qi-0

[dallas_]

Great videos!

[LCD Gauges]

It's time to give an update on this topic after a week of getting my feet wet. For the short time that I've been working in my new career, I've gained more
motivation to complete my car and have even picked up some ideas to make
it better.

Unfortunately, I can't elaborate on much on what we're doing for the customer.
They have a very strict non-disclosure policy and zero tolerance for photos/video
inside the facility.

It turns out that I'm not working on the race cars at all, but I'm very involved
in the final test of the Proto-type and production GT's. My job will be programming
all of the control modules and test of the car as it completes final assembly
(which may get me in the driver's seat for road and/or dyno test).

I've never been
much of a Ford fan, but as Steve stated, these cars are breathtaking.

I can't help but admire the design and style of this new GT. Everything from
the tire choice to the interior fabric options are absolutely stunning. I'm
fortunate enough to see some design changes from the first proto-type up
to the 17th (25?) version that cycle through the building on a daily basis.

Some not so secret info that might interest all of you is that Ford is using
a 7 speed Getrag transaxle that's about 30% shorter than a G96.00.

The tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 that might as well be race slicks.
315 wide in the rear with huge rotors and 4 piston callipers that would make
most front braking systems look like entry level kits. The front gets 6 piston
Brembos. Everything on this car is 'big time'; it's a computer on wheels!

The seats are hardly split by a small waterfall. It's pretty much shoulder-
to-shoulder as the cabin is teardrop shaped.

The rear spoiler is a wicked multi-stage design that elevates, tilts, and also
features an airbrake. The ride height adjust is also cool with adjustable
spring rates on-the-fly. Both systems were developed by Multimatic (among
others).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4NgTGS8ogg

These guys have treated me like gold and I've only been here a week. It's
a great atmosphere and most co-workers have a solid race/tuning/mechanical
background.

It has been an awesome ride so far, but I know it will get tough when the
build phase starts.

Sorry about the minimal and vague info; I'd rather not lose my job!

I will however post some info about the LeMans race in a couple of weeks.
4 of the GT cars will be competing. Now that I have an interest in this
vehicle, I've somehow become interested in LMP racing.

[mlkwd1]

Sounds like a dream job. I saw the yellow model that was at SEMA this year and thought it was an amazing looking car.

[LCD Gauges]

You are a lucky man. I have yet to see a completed version up close. The proto-types are nice, but primer and mixed interior accents
don't look as pretty.

I can't help but get into some of this news with all the buzz happening around the facility. I can't see myself watching this lap by lap, but
I'll definitely check in once in a while. I'm more interested in the car than the race if I'm being honest.


The Starters for this year:


https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13427770_1138286976227755_1872611421929473756_n.jp g?oh=a49026cd8c1954f1aa616fe62aa15459&oe=57CE6657


https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13418735_1138286979561088_6127101696438960955_n.jp g?oh=f6e47b0523df4b3f74b0256e8faac998&oe=57CE2B30


The Drivers and Cars:
#66 - Billy Johnson (US), Stefan Mücke (GER), Olivier Pla (FRA)
#67 - Marino Franchitti (GB), Andy Priaulx (GB), Harry Tincknell (GB)
#68 - Sébastien Bourdais (FRA), Joey Hand (US), Dirk Müller (GER)
#69 - Ryan Briscoe (AUS), Scott Dixon (NZ), Richard Westbrook (GB)


MEET THE MEN WHO WILL RACE THE FORD GTs AT LE MANS (http://performance.ford.com/series/road-racing/news/articles/2016/06/meet-the-men-who-will-race-the-ford-gts-at-le-mans.html)


FORD PLEASED WITH FIRST OUTING
http://www.racer.com/components/com_flexicontent/librairies/phpthumb/phpThumb.php?src=/images/2016/June_1/IMSA/LeMansTest20162-076.jpg

The Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team took to the 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit for the first time on Sunday for the official test day ahead of the great 24-hour race, and according to FCGR's managing director, the outing was a success.
"We were really impressed by how our team was accepted and welcomed by the sanctioning body and scrutineering, and they were very complimentary of the cars and how they were presented," Mike Hull told RACER of the four-car Ford GT program. "It's our first time going there as a group, so we had no idea what to expect. I think we represented the Ford brand very well for our first day.


The fastest Ford GT placed sixth in the GTE-Pro class on Sunday (3:56.039), which wasn't as close to the class-leading Corvette C7.R (3:55.122) as Hull might have wanted, but with the difference in track experience between the brands, the Blue Oval spent the day learning while others added to their considerable knowledge at La Sarthe.
"In talking to our drivers and [FCGR team manager] Mike O'Gara and [race engineer] Brad Goldberg, we knew there was going to be a big learning curve, and that rang true," Hull added. "Our group of people were really patient and deliberate in working through our test plan so that when we return for race week, we can start by not being in a hole. That was the key to yesterday. It was about valuable track time and learning all we could so we can return and do everything right."


With a significant amount of information to gather during the test day, Hull credits the dual testing plan undertaken by FCGR's IMSA and WEC teams prior to Sunday for helping the Ford GTs get within one second of the defending class winners.
"We were lucky because we did a test at Road America before we went to go over items for Le Mans, and our WEC team did the same by going to Monza, and we went to those places with big straightaways to try some things before the Le Mans test and that was a help for us," he said. "When we rolled out at Le Mans, we had already simulated some of what we were going to see, and were better prepared that way in the configuration we thought we might race."
Reducing the gap to the factory programs from Corvette, Porsche, and Ferrari – all teams that ran ahead of the Fords at the test – will involve tweaking the setups that were honed at Road America and Monza and tried at Le Mans.
"Going forward with that configuration, we'll be working hard to develop that configuration to find more speed," Hull confirmed. "That's where we'll focus ourselves when we run those two days next week before we race."





http://www.racer.com/images/2016/June_1/IMSA/ford_mans2.jpg

[LCD Gauges]

Three months into this new venture and Mike (Crash) was correct – it’s VERY busy! There’s no defined end to the workday it seems. When things need to get done, you’re expected to stay until it’s ready. I’m not sure that I can handle the hours once production starts. We’ll see how it goes.

A bit of facts/history for those that care: Ford lost their ‘rights’ to the GT40 name as it was never copyrighted.A business making a cleaner called, “Pro Clean GT40” reserved the rights to the GT40 label

http://lghttp.48404.nexcesscdn.net/8020045/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/8/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/c/pcngt400.jpg

Ford reportedly offered $5 Million to the owner to buy back the name; the business owner got a bit greedy and demanded $10 Million. Ford said, “Screw You” and hence the name Ford GT for the 2017 model year.

This car was designed as an LMP class car, but since Ford planned to produce the vehicle for public purchase, it was allowed to race in the LeMans GTE-Pro class.* The GT could easily run in LMP2 class with their engine rules.

[LCD Gauges]

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1106236_even-ford-gt-prototypes-get-pulled-over-for-speeding

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