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Mooncraft design works collection -
from Yura’s first formula car F2000, until 2005.
* Click the photos to enlarge
* McLaren M12 modified (1972)
Made only rear cowl to change M12, driven by Tadashi SAKAI at GC, into like the latest M8D. It was commented to get lighter driving feeling without the big-board-like M12's rear spoiler.
* March73S modified. /
* March73S modified 74 Ver.
(1973-74)
For "SAKAI March", the car was brought up with lower front cowl and modified rear wing mount. In 1974, it was designed and manufactured into fully brand-new long-tail machine, which is impressive for Yura as a 100% original body work.
* Mooncraft March (1974-75)
The car, which was called "Mooncraft March", was based on Noritake TAKAHARA's March74S.It had a lower front fender and a designed rear cowl like a closed-roof style.
* GRDS74 modified (1974)
This machine's original body work was done by Akihiro IRIMAJIRI, the present chairman of Tokyo R&D Co.,Ltd.. To meet the owner Tetsu IKUZAWA's request, employed the trend closed-roof-like design to improve the car performance, and modified all over the body - from chin spoiler through rear cowl.GRDS76 was the successor of this car, but ended up with no debut.
* SHI-DEN (1977)
After loads of wins at GC, Noritake TAKAHARA's next target was racing GC by his original car. The maximum speed was focused on with SHI-DEN as targeting at only Fuji circuit, so it was designed in closed body to achieve less drug. SHI-DEN's chassis was designed by Motoyasu MORIWAKI. Results, however, were not good despite of its elegant appearance.
* SHI-DEN modified (1977)
With the chassis switched to March with the rotary engine, SHI-DEN_A had dull nose and short tail. The main concept was broken down and it became an unbalanced car.Finish its life in the big crash at Fuji 1000km race.
* Chevron B36 modified (1978)
By Tokumitsu URUSHIBARA's order, modified allover body of weak Chevron to level up its potential. Solving the Chevron problem, the stability at high-speed, and achieve good comments.
* NOVA53S/54S (1978)
Design a body cowl for the GC machine made by NOVA, who was active in formula cars at that time. This characteristic design was inspired from the image of SR71, the US's supersonic reconnaissance aircraft.53S had rear wing, but 54S had none, which means 54S made the downforce only by body itself. How amazing! This machine is truly lower and wider.One of Yura's favorite.
* Thunder LM39 (1979)
This car was started from an eccentric idea: Race at two categories, F2 and GC, by one car, in the same year. To meet this concept, they ordered us to put a fender to the formula car based on the chassis made by Takeshi SAWASHIMA.It has been one of the most enjoying works for Yura.However it did not show good performance, as the proverb says "He that hunts two hares at once will catch neither".
* MCS(1979-80)
This was the big turning point in Mooncraft's history since our foundation in 1975: our first car we made through all process and was fully original.We sold our original single-seater chassis and body cowl as a package, making the most of two-seater March's parts.Single-seater GC was introduced referring to CAN-AM's revival, but its body design was not CAN-AM taste.It was designed for less air drag, targeting at Fuji. At the first year, our car was not reliable enough for racing teams except HERO'S TEAM, but its speed gradually got their trusts and sold seven cars in 1980.
* Royce RM-1 (1980)
First work cooperated with Kikuo KAIRA, this car was made based on the idea to put a body cowl on F2 chassis, at the timing of GC's regulation switch to It surprised people with the unexpected fastness on circuit, which gave huge influences on Mooncraft's body cowls coming after this in many ways.
* KIBOU (1980)
The original car was a very complicated aero-focused GC car designed by Tadashi TATEUCHI, employing the latest aerodynamics strategies at that time.While the aerodynamic strategies were great, it did not run properly due to bad body cowl. Therefore the body modification was ordered to Mooncraft.It was like a formula car dressed with body cowl, and a ground effect car, having a very detailed under-car design like GC21 (see the later). However its effect was questionable as no wind tunnel testing was held in those days.
* MCS 2 (1981)
This car was the modified "special order-made ROYCE" as a commercial product, after the ROYCE's success.This concept was the same as ROYCE, which used formula chassis: closed one-piece upper body, simplifying the structure and improving the aerodynamic performance.
* MCS 3 (1982)
MCS2's innovation model, broadened for 1981 March chassis. The same concept as MCS2. The previous season's formula cars were efficiently used in next season's GC.
* MCS 4 (1983)
Alongside the trend, MCS was innovated to a ground effect car.MCS4 was made for 1982 March chassis, having whole floor totally covered by body cowl.Employed side radiators with the front/rear overhangs cut-off to reduce the inertia moment.The unique aerodynamic layout was an outstanding characteristic of this car.The idea of this layout was taking in the cooling air from over body and releasing it through the sides.
* MCS 5 (1984)
MCS4 was so strong with the excellent aerodynamic performance, however we had go back to MCS3 concept: without ground effect. The ground effect car was finally banned.MCS5 achieved a good car balance at high level as a result of long-term wind tunnel testings.
* MCS 6 (1985)
This was a bran-new deigned car, not just a updated version of MCS5, challenging the more innovation and improvement.Wind tunnel testings were more focused on. Aerodynamic performance was made improved by over-100-hour testings with moving ground.NC machining practically introduced, the accuracy of body manufacturing was improved.
* MCS 7 (1986)
Team champion winning machine, driven by Geoff LEES of our original team.This is basically the innovation of MCS6, but its rear cowl was designed bigger, considering employing YAMAHA's 5-valve V6 engine "OX66". It made the better aero performance. Large brake intake was also employed.This is the last work of MCS series, where Yura and Mooncraft were involved in its manufacturing.
* GC21 (2002)
GC21 is the revival version of "Fuji Grand Champion Race", which was held at Fuji speed way in 1970-1980, and begun as a race category in 2002.Based on F3 chassis, GC21 was the latest technology machine dressed with the carbon-composite body. Stepped floor was the most unique point in its design.
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LM
GP F1 AU FUJI CE DIMANCHE...
