Rodin Cars resurfaces and widens private test tracks in New Zealand
Exclusive single-seater performance brand, Rodin Cars, has completed a substantial upgrade to its dedicated test tracks with a full track resurface and the addition of a challenging 130-metre radius corner.
Similar to Suzuka’s famous 130R corner, Rodin’s new section offers customers an exhilarating experience with an incredible blend of fast straights, tight and technical chicanes and now a long sweeping left-hand corner that’ll test both driver and machine.
The new left turn is followed by a wide-opening radius right-hander that can be taken with a simple down-change and strong commitment. This turn offers a different entry angle to the corner leading onto the main straight when compared with the original – and still usable – configuration of Stage 3.
Rodin’s test track was designed by Rodin Cars founder David Dicker, which comes as little surprise considering how closely Dicker is involved with every aspect of his business. A man who has driven or raced on many significant tracks throughout the world. He explains, “I created something I would really enjoy driving on myself. It’s exciting, challenging and exhilarating. I laid out what I thought would be testing for both the car and driver.”
The test track facility is divided into three stages. Stage 1 consists of a 30m radius skid-pad used to fine-tune the balance of a car’s handling. The second stage is an undulating 2,350m 12-turn circuit of dips, blind crests and varying cambers. Finally, Stage 3 is made up of a fast, flat and deceptively challenging 2,438m circuit of seven turns and a 900m straight upon which the Rodin FZED has achieved speeds approaching 300km/h. Stage 2 has now been widened to 10m to allow for a better driver experience.
Alongside the widening of the lower part of the track, the entire length of both tracks has been resurfaced through the combined efforts of JCL Asphalt, Cirtex Industries, and BG Cooke Construction. To ensure the existing track would not crack or move once a new layer of asphalt was overlaid, a bespoke combination of HaTelit C and HaTelit XP and a 40mm AC10 asphalt overlay was used. These materials were specially imported from Germany and the Rodin project marks one of the largest uses of these advanced materials in New Zealand.
The new 130-metre radius corner has added a 3,000m2 section to the track and will undoubtedly challenge drivers of the Rodin FZED, exposing them to extreme levels of G-force and test how well the car is able to handle such a challenging turn. The new turn fits perfectly within the track and its racing pedigree reflects Rodin’s desire to develop cars that are unlike any other outside of Formula 1.
“We added the 130-metre radius corner to further develop the Rodin FZED and Rodin FZERO handling at high-speed.” Dicker said, “It’s a challenging corner for both the car and the driver and will certainly add to the stunning experience of driving a Rodin vehicle. I’m pretty happy with the track and the customer experience centre now. We have big plans to continually develop this facility further.”
Adjacent the remarkable racetrack itself is Rodin’s customer experience and development facility, which includes a fully-equipped race centre boasting a complete range of telematic and data analysis programs. This data allows the Rodin team to fine-tune each car along with detailed performance data that can help a driver hone their own skills and performance.
This customer experience is available to both existing Rodin FZED customers and to those who purchase the Rodin FZERO.
As Rodin seeks to join the ranks of the world’s most advanced automotive manufacturers, no expense has been spared in ensuring all elements of the Rodin facility are of the highest possible quality. With the combination of the new corner and the widening of the track, 7,000m2 of concrete and 8,000 tonnes of asphalt mix have been deployed at the Rodin facility, a project on a scale rarely seen for a private racetrack.
