This blog will be like no other!
We left Kaikoura and had a whale of a time.
On a previous trip on the inland road through Waiau we went past the front gate of Rodin Cars.
As we were planning to show Kath and Jim around the top of the South Island.
Jim is a long time car racing buff. Christine contacted them by email asking if we could visit and we were given the ok.
We were met....once we got though the electric gate by Courtney a young American woman from Texas.
Both Jim and I really had no idea what was in fact going on inside this collection of buildings.
First we were shown around the owners private cars collection.
First we were shown around the owners private cars collection.
David Dicker is the Australian behind the whole enterprise.
He has built two motor racing tracks and is producing his own single seater racing cars right here in the very rural Waiau area of New Zealand.
We were gobsmacked being shown around his various collection of cars early all Italian makes like Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s
Courtney really knew her stuff and answered all of Jim’s question, while I mainly took photos.
Each car has it’s own battery charger therefore its all ready to go at a moments notice.
Courtney really knew her stuff and answered all of Jim’s question, while I mainly took photos.
Each car has it’s own battery charger therefore its all ready to go at a moments notice.
We had asked if it was ok to take photos and yes it was OK and when we went onto Shed#2
which was full of big printers and other unknown to us machines with huge numbers of buttons.
We both assumed we shouldn’t be taking photos and when we got to Shed #3,
which had racing cars in various stages of construction, we started taking photos again.
They are using carbon fibre, 3D printing and are very beautifully made.
A rare treat to get so close to these incredible cars in construction.
They are building currently 5 each with its own assembly space and individual parts rack
As you can see, everything is spotless...except for Jim!
They are making their own engine a V10, but it’s not actually in the test cars yet which use the proven Cosworth racing engine.
I think this is a printer, but don’t quote me!
They have a machine which makes all there own bolts out of titanium.
The gold coloured bolts are anodised with something harder and special.
Another amazing, but unknown to me machine.
This one a lathe of sorts had a massive disc at the back with many interchangeable heads and cutters
The modified and 3D printed exhaust pipe fitting from 4 to 1, all done in house so to speak!
The quick release steering wheel, with lots of extra technology features,
You guessed it...also all in house!
The steering shaft......highly essential bit of kit!
The steering shaft......highly essential bit of kit!
The separate sewing and related printing gear, once again all done in house!
A room solely for the Avon tyres they use, which came all the way from GB.
This is the entertainment area, when guests (or clients) come to test drive the cars,
they are wined and dined, once again in house, and presumably after testing!
You are fitted out with racing overalls and other such fireproof safety gear.
The testing of the cars is a process of progressing up through driving the circuit with a road car,
You are fitted out with racing overalls and other such fireproof safety gear.
The testing of the cars is a process of progressing up through driving the circuit with a road car,
then a sports car, then a single seater, then the real thing a Rodin Car.
Not for the faint hearted or inexperienced as these cars are very close to the experience of driving a current F1 car.
The Ferrari Monza below is only one of 5 in the world (so we were told)
The Ferrari Monza below is only one of 5 in the world (so we were told)
And the only one we saw that had its own cover!
A McLaren sports car, sorry I don’t know the model number but I do know the price tag $2.8M
Below is a view of a part of the two tracks they use for testing.
They was damaged in the recent Kaikoura earthquakes a few years ago and has been re-sealed.
Courtney was a terrific guide and we much appreciated the time spent in this incredible facility.
Courtney was a terrific guide and we much appreciated the time spent in this incredible facility.
Especially as we were not potential clients to drive or buy one of the amazing FZed racing cars.
Rodin Cars currently employ 22 people, which are mostly New Zealanders and will be something to watch how this all develops for them!
Here are some links to Rodin Cars web site and a few youtube links to fill you in with allot more information.
So thank you Rodin Cars for the amazing vision and ideas you are making
No doubt you will become world famous, all from rural New Zealand.
That is all for the meantime from the Clowning Around blog.
No immediate plans to travel, but this could change at a moments notice.
As per always...stay safe .... have fun .... and be creative!
Jimu & Christine.
PS it must have been obvious we were not potential buyers or testers from the very beginning,
when we turned up at the gate with our Nissan Tiida
and our 1989 Mitsubishi Rosa 7m Motorhome, named “Clowning Around”
Oh such Fun!
