SurfaceUnits
12-02-05, 03:05 AM
Swift Engineering on Target to Meet Deadline for New Atlantic Cars
Written by: News Wire San Clemente, Calif.
12/1/2005
Swift Engineering has set itself an ambitious goal of delivering 40 Atlantic race cars in time for testing and ultimately, racing competition at the 2006 Long Beach Grand Prix. Cars will be ready for delivery to race teams on March 8.
Swift earned the contract to build the brand-new chassis, which the engineering and design firm created from a clean sheet of paper. The car, Swift 016.a (‘a’ for Atlantic) is the “15th race car Swift has designed,” according to Kristen Helsel, Director of Sales, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the company.
“The achievement of delivering 40 open wheel race cars at one time, under extremely tight time constraints, and at a price point that has seen a significant reduction from previous models, is extraordinary, especially when we’re dealing with more than 20 different customers,” Helsel stated.
This new-generation Atlantic car will help Champ Car chart its future direction of this important development series, and the car’s importance, to all participants, and to Swift, is clearly evident. Swift first entered Atlantic competition in 1986, and the manufacturer has produced more race-winning cars (170) than any other chassis designer in the 32-year history of Atlantics. Since 1998, Swift has served as the exclusive car designer. The Swift 016.a will make its competitive debut at Long Beach, April 7-9, 2006.
“It’s important to stress that the new car, 016.a, is designed and built in the U.S.,” Helsel added. “I truly believe the success of this car will bring further attention to Swift’s capabilities in terms of both vehicle design and manufacture.”
Because of the strong ties Swift has with the Atlantic series, Helsel noted that the company was committed to investing time and effort into the car and the series. “We wanted to bring the price point down, in order to make the car more affordable, and hopefully, help attract new entrants to the series,” she said, adding that the all-composite car will only cost owners $79,500 each, a decrease of $28,500 from the previous model.
“In spite of the lower price, the design and construction of 016.a is, like everything we do at Swift, achieved through exacting standards,” Helsel declared. “We have the capability of building the same components repeatedly, with exact tolerances each time. Our quality control is very demanding, and we are strong proponents of elaborate documentation, using process books and tracking to identify parts and assembly for post-production scrutiny and during vehicle testing.
“The cost reduction is due in part to Swift’s ‘Lean Manufacturing’ process — part of what we are calling ‘Swift Thinking,’” Helsel explained. “In order to finish these cars in time for testing and delivery, which gives us just 98 days from today, we have to apply a fair amount of ‘Swift Thinking.’ But, with the dedicated engineers, designers and builders we have on site, we are absolutely confident we’ll meet these tight deadlines.
“The Swift 016.a is important to all of us, as it returns Swift to the forefront of motorsports design,” Helsel said. “Today, Swift offers much more in terms of our capabilities, with 100 employees working on many different assignments — from prototyping to industrial and mechanical design, to working with the U.S. government and the aerospace industry, Swift Engineering is expanding its horizons.
“But it’s also important to remain close to our roots, and that’s racing. Being a part of the Atlantic series is a part of what Swift is.”
Written by: News Wire San Clemente, Calif.
12/1/2005
Swift Engineering has set itself an ambitious goal of delivering 40 Atlantic race cars in time for testing and ultimately, racing competition at the 2006 Long Beach Grand Prix. Cars will be ready for delivery to race teams on March 8.
Swift earned the contract to build the brand-new chassis, which the engineering and design firm created from a clean sheet of paper. The car, Swift 016.a (‘a’ for Atlantic) is the “15th race car Swift has designed,” according to Kristen Helsel, Director of Sales, Marketing and Corporate Communications for the company.
“The achievement of delivering 40 open wheel race cars at one time, under extremely tight time constraints, and at a price point that has seen a significant reduction from previous models, is extraordinary, especially when we’re dealing with more than 20 different customers,” Helsel stated.
This new-generation Atlantic car will help Champ Car chart its future direction of this important development series, and the car’s importance, to all participants, and to Swift, is clearly evident. Swift first entered Atlantic competition in 1986, and the manufacturer has produced more race-winning cars (170) than any other chassis designer in the 32-year history of Atlantics. Since 1998, Swift has served as the exclusive car designer. The Swift 016.a will make its competitive debut at Long Beach, April 7-9, 2006.
“It’s important to stress that the new car, 016.a, is designed and built in the U.S.,” Helsel added. “I truly believe the success of this car will bring further attention to Swift’s capabilities in terms of both vehicle design and manufacture.”
Because of the strong ties Swift has with the Atlantic series, Helsel noted that the company was committed to investing time and effort into the car and the series. “We wanted to bring the price point down, in order to make the car more affordable, and hopefully, help attract new entrants to the series,” she said, adding that the all-composite car will only cost owners $79,500 each, a decrease of $28,500 from the previous model.
“In spite of the lower price, the design and construction of 016.a is, like everything we do at Swift, achieved through exacting standards,” Helsel declared. “We have the capability of building the same components repeatedly, with exact tolerances each time. Our quality control is very demanding, and we are strong proponents of elaborate documentation, using process books and tracking to identify parts and assembly for post-production scrutiny and during vehicle testing.
“The cost reduction is due in part to Swift’s ‘Lean Manufacturing’ process — part of what we are calling ‘Swift Thinking,’” Helsel explained. “In order to finish these cars in time for testing and delivery, which gives us just 98 days from today, we have to apply a fair amount of ‘Swift Thinking.’ But, with the dedicated engineers, designers and builders we have on site, we are absolutely confident we’ll meet these tight deadlines.
“The Swift 016.a is important to all of us, as it returns Swift to the forefront of motorsports design,” Helsel said. “Today, Swift offers much more in terms of our capabilities, with 100 employees working on many different assignments — from prototyping to industrial and mechanical design, to working with the U.S. government and the aerospace industry, Swift Engineering is expanding its horizons.
“But it’s also important to remain close to our roots, and that’s racing. Being a part of the Atlantic series is a part of what Swift is.”