Taking a GT3 Huracan from the Frame Rack to the Race Track in Less Then a Month
Our client acquired a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 car from overseas. We discovered some previous frame damage that was not brought to the attention of our client before purchasing. It was noticed shortly after we started going through the car after delivery. Certainly not what you want to find at that stage, but there was no real options left but to fix it.
We approached a variety of professional body shops and Lamborghini service centers to help handle the project. We got the same answer from many. Some were too busy, while others weren’t sure they wanted to take it on. With the season approaching quickly and a test already scheduled in less than a month, John Grant decided he would take it on so we could repair it in house. He built his own chassis table to ensure we could have accurate measurements to complete the job successfully. John was able to cut the bent front frame rails off and then began mocking up the new front structure. Luckily the center structure wasn’t bent meaning the car didn’t have to get retubed.
After lots of measuring and then measuring again, John was able to get the new front structure all welded into place. After a fresh coat of paint it looks almost as good as new. Most importantly it’s all straight and structurally intact. Our team then moved to the rest of the car to address a variety of components that needed maintenance. We overhauled the suspension on all four corners, installed new rotors and pads, put an updated exhaust system on, reset the cars electronics, and replaced expired safety components. Every car has to look pretty to be fast, so it was completely rewrapped with a new livery we had designed by our friend Kirk Myhre at MC Motorsports Design.
Photo Credit: Phil Veitch
The initial shake down took place at The Podium Club in Arizona. Mechanically the car ran great. Martin did a few shake down install laps to make sure the car behaved normally before handing the car over the Xuanqian to get his first laps with it. We also had Dion Von Moltke join us at the test to help provide some coaching on what it takes to be fast in one of these GT3 machines. His insights were greatly appreciated and it certainly helped Xuanqian speed up his learning curve with this new crazy bull. Switching from the GT4 McLaren to the GT3 Huracan definitely requires a different driving style as the rear is much tail happier on the brakes.
Photo Credit: Phil Veitch
Xuanqian plans to compete in a variety of events with the car but specifically plans to contest the MPG GT Celebration this season! We look forward to support him as much as we can.
Photo Credit: Phil Veitch