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Dec.19.2002　Report on Progress of Chassis Currently Developed


Final assembly of NSX-GT

Impact test of NSX-GT


tatic loading test of
LOLA-Dome Ｆ106/03

Master model before molding
（it is currently being molded
and formed）

Impact test of Ferrari-GT

FD '03 monocoque
to be shipped

Dome S101 test carried
out this month


Dome Co., Ltd have been developing NSX-GT for All Nippon GT Championship, F3 machine LOLA-DOME F106/03, Ferrari Modena 360 GT for All Nippon GT-300 class, and new FD '03 for Formula Dream for the next season. We would like to update the progress of these chassis development.

For NSX-GT, the staff had been working very hard throughout day and night and on holidays to prepare for a shakedown test and it had been going smoothly (though this hectic circumstance shouldn't be said as smoothly). Thanks to their effort, we managed to prepare in time. Though I cannot go into details about NSX-GT next season but the car has been modified based on a very different concept from the conventional one due to the current regulation changes. When completed, we are confident that the car will be a new machine beyond imagination and it's the strongest machine we have created ever. It will certainly do a great job next season.

The overall development for LOLA-DOME F106/03(F3) is on schedule. To carry out shakedown test scheduled both in England and Japan during the year change period, a crash test will be carried out in England soon. We will be able to launch the brand new LOLA-DOME F106/03 next year.

The development of Ferrari Modena 360 GT is little behind the schedule and it looks like we are not doing a shakedown test within this year. We will carry out the test in the beginning of February next year instead.
The development of this machine is rather a hobby than a business and we are aware that we cannot do this without outsourcing companies' big cooperation (or should I say sacrifice?) and the schedule has been delayed as priorities are given to others due to the nature of the project. Having said that, it won't affect the race plan and we are ready to devote ourselves to the tests beginning from February and the car will be a super Ferrari to aim the champion title of GT-300 by the season starts.

The development of FD'03 is relatively going well and a shakedown test will be completed within this year. The main changes for FD 2003 specification are; rigidity of monocoque increased for safety and changes in fuel systems. FD 2004 specification test will be started right after the New Year using a new engine and a Hewland gearbox. The basic concept of 04 FD is "it's a car for the introductory race with Formula Car, which is safe and highly efficient". The car's performance and aerodynamic performance have been developed to the full extent. We are confident that it could be called a car with ultimate capability.
The development of Dome S101 is going well for Le Mans next year. Once the developments of other cars are completed, we will restart the development program of S101 we have already prepared. The car for Le Mans next year is thoroughly upgraded than this year's car so please look forward to our challenge in Europe.

DOME || NEWShave never done developments and production of several kinds of machines simultaneously before. Judging by the fact that all of developments are almost on schedule, it could be said the infrastructure in all areas have been completed as we had planned, we have now achieved our goal to obtain enough capability as a Japanese constructor which can challenge the world.
Only people who have actually involved in the projects will understand how difficult and how hard to achieve such goals and how valuable the achievements are. It is a shame we can only pat ourselves on the back for what we have achieved so far.