Converting Torque To Timeslips
Putting 800 lb-ft of torque to the tarmac via the front wheels is never a pretty thing and the Celica accomplishes this feat via a Fortin gearbox. "The Fortin has been working pretty well for us and it has proven to take an ungodly amount of abuse from not only me but that nasty TRD engine as well," Christian told us. "We are getting ready to switch to a sequential unit that Doug Fortin has been working on for us. We feel that this is going to be one of the keys to running the number. We have both a four- and five-speed version of the tranny so we can play with some different combinations. Also, we feel that the addition of a Long Shifter from Mike Long at G-Force Engineering will possibly take 2-4 tenths off our e.t., which is huge."
Mark Williams Enterprises provided the custom axles and hubs while the actual spindle was designed and machined by Kerry Kissinger out at Ken's Kustom Chassis. Christian tells us that the spindles are constructed of a super high tech material called Aeromet 100, which was designed for fighter jet tailhooks making for a strong, light and durable piece that can take a tremendous amount of abuse.
Totally Tubular
The chassis on the Celica looks like some sort of jungle gym for the children of the obscenely wealthy. The fabrication and welds have an aerospace appearance and feel and the whole package looks like something Ferrari's F1 boss Jean Todt would commission for one of his cars. Christian told us that the Picassos of pipework responsible for this are the same people who made the spindles. "Kenny and Kerry Kissinger from Ken's Kustom Chassis are probably the single most key component to World Racing's ability to get to the track quickly and safely. They are responsible for fabricating 90 percent of what goes on or into our race cars. Kenny is a mountain of knowledge and was going over 200 mph in the quarter-mile before I was born. I'm extremely confident that with Kenny behind me guiding my team we will not only be the fastest but I feel we will be the safest."
Safety is further addressed with an Indy-style seat custom-molded to Christian's body with a Nomex-covered custom carbon kevlar shell. A MOMO steering wheel, shift knob, and pedal set serve as the reins for Christian's thoroughbred.
Footwork
Controlling wheelhop is also a big issue with a FWD racer and Christian was instrumental in bringing Penske Racing Shocks into sport compact drag racing. "The Penske shocks on the car are an off-the-shelf 8100 series shock but thanks to our experience with these front drivers we were able to develop a very trick valving setup which allows us to do things with our suspension that haven't been possible before on cars like this. Bruce Kleckner from Penske has been integral in the shock development for our cars and all the sport compacts running fast out there." That list includes such heavy hitters as JoJo Callos, Shaun Carlson, Lisa Kubo, Bruce Mortensen, and Stephan Papadakis. The Penskes are wound with Eibach springs. All of this connects to Weld Racing wheels wrapped with massive 30-inch Goodyear meats up front.
Body Rockin'
Frank Isgro of Frank's Custom Fiberglass performed all the of the carbon fiber work on the Celica. "Frank is a fiberglass master who took to making carbon fiber pieces like a duck to water," according to Christian. "He actually built three completely different front ends for us for various shows and appearances before we actually debuted the final design at the Englishtown Race last May. Frank has built everything from the battery box, carbon floors, to the integrated TRD side skirts that he found a way to blend in seamlessly."