This is an idea I've been postponing to put into practice for such a time, to shown some of the awesome road and racing cars that have been developed in Brazil, and I would like to present you the amazing Star Fighter. This one, which I choose to start of with, is really special to me, either for it's oddity either by it's being almost unknown even to the hardcore racing fans.
However, before presenting the machine, it's important to present the man behind it, Bica Votnamis. Born in Romania, he came to Brazil back in 1954, at the age of 11, moving with his family to search for better opportunities. At the age of 13, he started to work with his father in his auto shop, and, in 1964, started racing with a Renault 1093. After this, he
raced with Renault Gordini, Simca Chambord, many Carreteras, and a Maserati/Corvette from the Mecânica Continental. Now, there is space for some explanations, as many of you may not be used to the categories that ran in the golden age of Brazilian auto racing:
Carreteras: Cars made on the basis of 30's/40's Ford and Chevrolet cars fitted to modern engines and transmissions, very common in Argentina, and that influenced the early auto racing in the southern region of Brazil (Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul), altough some were made in São Paulo too. This cars, due to it's massive power, dominated the early years of Brazilian auto racing, winning the first editions of the Interlagos Mille Miglia.
Mecânica Continental: Racing series based on old F1 cars like the Maserati 250F and 50's Ferrari's, fitted to powerful Chevy and Ford engines.
Back to our story, Votnamis realized that the era of the Carreteras was to come to an end, and realized that, in order to win the 1966 Interlagos Mille Miglia, his best chance would be in developing a brand new race car. His idea is one of the most original up to date, probably comparable in it's eccentricity to the six wheeler Tyrrel P34, the STP Turbine Indy car and the most recent Nissan Delta Wing Le Mans race car.
It's development started as a chalk scribble on a wall in Bica's garage, inspired by the Lockheed XF104 (Star fighter) dogfighter. First of all, the chassis was made, in a space frame structure with the engine assembled in a central position, very similar to the Mecânica Continental race cars. However, because of the size of the engine (a Corvette 5500cm³ unity, producing 450HP at 8000rpm), it's was impossible to find space for the driver, no matter how far the engine was sent to the back. The solution was to attach a structure ahead of the front axle for the driver. There were no doors, the access being done though the windows, that opened upwards, in a very similar manner to the Mercedes 300 SL. The driving position was other of it's oddities, as the steering column was in the vertical (very similar to the Volkswagen Bus, fact that even lead Votnamis to buy one to get used to this driving position).
The body design was responsibility of Spaniard Pablo Salvador, whom had worked with Bica in previous projects. To avoid anyone guessing/commenting, the garage remained closed during development time, the only ones allowed to enter being Votnamis's relatives and closest friends. The car was ready in five months, and successfully practiced during the opener test session of the Brazilian Mille Miglia, but the stewards judged the driving position to dangerous in case of a collision. Bica still tried to participate by assembling the Corvette engine on a conventional Carretera, however it felt of the truck when arrived on the circuit, preventing Bica of taking part at the race. Later, he developed other more conventional racing cars, e.g. the Caçador II e III running as late as 1975 and dying at the age of 57, of a heart attack.
Note: I took the pictures directly from my website, not sure if it's the right way to do it, if there's another, please let me know. Also, if there's some mistake on the words I used, please tell me.
