Marcel Steiner: New era, new look
FIRST TEST Marcel Steiner has completed the first functional test with the Honda turbo engine in the LobArt sports car. At the same time, he also gives the car a different, familiar base color. Steiner Motorsport's project with Helftec Engineering began in October 2019. At the specialists in the development and manufacture of products related to motorsport, the result was a [...]
Steiner Motorsport's project with Helftec Engineering began in October 2019. The specialists in the development and manufacture of motorsport-related products created a potent turbo racing engine in Hildisrieden, Lucerne, based on a production power unit from the Honda Civic Type R. The engine was developed by Helftec Engineering.
From the 3.0 V8 naturally aspirated engine to the 1.7-liter turbo
Reduced from 2.0 to 1.75 cubic, this will in future be permitted in the E2 racing sports car class up to three liters. More displacement is not permitted in Switzerland or many other countries.
Due to the Corona pandemic and the total cancellation of hill climbs, Lucerne and also Steiner Motorsport were not under time pressure. It seems to have paid off. During the functional test on the Anneau du Rhin in Alsace, the LobArt Honda turbo ran perfectly except for the defect of a sensor.
For the pilot, however, this meant a change.
Marcel Steiner: "Driving with a turbo engine is unusual. The power delivery is completely different from that of the naturally aspirated V8 engine. I have to learn to drive it first. But I'm quite happy for the first rollout."
Planned premiere in Alsace
The next and then extensive test day is scheduled for August 19 at the Circuit de Bresse. Then the five-time mountain champion wants to work through the driving behavior with track and launch control. After that, he'll look further afield.
As a trial gallop under racing conditions, the start at the Turckheim-3 Epis International Hill Climb in Alsace is planned for the first weekend in September. If the Corona case numbers do not continue to rise dramatically and the measures against it are not tightened, this race near the border should be able to take place. Apparently, many more Swiss have signed up.
Marcel Steiner: "I hope we can start there. But for me it's all about driving and trying things out. The result is secondary."
New era, new look
The new motorization is accompanied by a different color scheme. In principle, Steiner has swapped the base color black for white.
So the LobArt now appears again similar to the Osella FA30 with which the Bernese conquered the first three mountain championship titles eight to ten years ago, or the Martini Mk77 used before and again afterwards.
Marcel Steiner: "A white car with lots of sponsors on it looks better in photos than a black one. It also appears more delicate. You could say: new era, new look..."
