The Aquila CR1 has been given some serious upgrades during the
close season, and with engines starting up across Europe for the
2011 race season, the CR1 will be there to show its prowess and
latest developments. The sound of Aquila HQ has been like a V8
symphony as a lot of factory diagnostics tests on several cars have
been our very own local orchestra.
A lot of the upgrades have been introduced using smarter
production and intuitive ideas that will not affect the basic price
of a CR1, some of our developments are now optional extras for the
CR1 and we have worked intensively with OBR in the UK to develop
some fantastic electronic packages for our customers. Now the CR1
comes with OBR engine and chassis loom, ECU and optional electronic
extras.
The Free stuff, our GRP body work has been reviewed and as a
result the bodywork on the CR1 is now 20kg lighter, has a fantastic
final finish and is even a little bit stronger than our old system.
Seating in the CR1 will now be provided from Tillett racing using a
B4 seat. The inclined, carbon fibre seat weighs just 4kg and is
perfect for the CR1, maintaining comfort for larger drivers. An LED
strip will be added to our front lights running down the top of our
front light panel, this will be used as a side light and is not
designed for additional visibility illumination, it adds to the
cars up to date looks and is a welcome addition to the CR1. The
clutch has been upgraded from a dual plate to a triple plate 7.25"
racing clutch from AP racing, additional pumps have been added to
the fuel tank to increase reliability and pick up. And finally the
change that will see OBR systems introduced to Aquila Racing Cars.
The Euro4 ECU from Ole Buhl Racing is now a standard item on the
Aquila CR1. This ECU, simply put, is fantastic and has many
features. Using a PowerPC microprocessor and drive by wire PID
control the Euro4 system also includes: Idle speed control, a
sequential and paddle shift control strategy for faster and
smoother gear changes, 8mb data logging, 2 selectable engine maps,
automatic fuelling control, closed loop lambda control, ignition
coil drivers, CAN compatibility. The Euro4 ECU weighs just 365
grams and can be used within a temperature range of -40 to 125
degrees Celsius.
Additional extras, The CR1 has many new options available if you
or your team is wanting the latest in electronic, braking and
suspension technology. Intrax 4-way adjustable dampers will be
running on a number of Aquila CR1's this 
season, giving drivers and teams more
control with setup on the CR1. Two new heavy duty brake kits have
been developed over the winter period to give more braking
stability during 24 hour events. A 4 pot all round system from
Performance Friction or a 6 pot all round system from Alcon, both
kits use 355 X 32mm discs.
Electronic extras really open the CR1 to the professional racing
market and give our customers the opportunity to use GT1, LMP, WRC,
AMLS level of equipment. The 2D Dash will now be available to
Aquila customers with COG screen technology the 2D dash includes
features such as: 132 X 64 dot display, 64 segment rev-counter,
Adjustable LED brightness, CAN compatibility, additional warning
lights, 3 screens for different selected read outs and only weighs
540 grams! An OBR PCM (Power control module) is another available
option, this system is used everywhere there is professional
motorsport. It has some unique and clever features such as output
priority and automatic shutdown of selected outputs (Low
priority.)
Effectively it's a limp
mode and should the voltage on the battery drop the PCM will remove
power from low priority systems such as drinks, windscreen wipers,
air conditioning and allocate power to higher priority systems such
as injectors and ignition coils to get you back to the pit lane for
further inspection. It also has 34 different programmable outputs
operated by 11 conventional, 32 CAN and 15 virtual channels, it
uses its own integrated designated diagnostic control system, 5
over riding flash functions, it also allows for membrane panel
controlled inputs which brings us on to the new Aquila/OBR membrane
panel. The new panel will use electroluminescent switch patches and
sport a beautiful golden Aquila eagle illuminated with LED's.
Advantages of putting the panel on the CR1 are huge! It's a lighter
system, greatly reducing the weight in the top of the cockpit,
there will be reduced wiring, improved visibility, it can allow
logging of the switches and once again it is CAN compatible.
After 3 and half years of racing development the CR1 is here to
stay, because of our success with the car and our network of
reliable suppliers we were able to introduce a lot of new features
on the CR1 to improve weight, looks and use-ability without adding
to the basic price. Remember a CR1 LS7 has GT3+ performance for
what is effectively GT4 money. As a package and on paper (Including
race results) The Aquila CR1 is a serious sports GT competing
amongst some of the world's best GT3, GT2 cars and showing
impressive results.
On behalf of Aquila Racing Cars, have a great 2011 racing season
and we hope you enjoy what we have been working on, see you at the
track!..