AB Sabre:CKC Guide 2009
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AB Sabre
MOST TRACK DAY cars start out as road cars, but not the AB Sabre. The company has no plans to offer it as a road car – it has been designed from the ground up as a no-compromise race car. Naturally, it will also excel in the track day environment. Part of this ethos was to make adjusting the suspension in the paddock very easy. That’s essential for race performance and entertaining for track days. If you start out with a Sabre in track day spec, it will be possible to progress to racing at a later date. In the Sabre’s last two races of the 2011 season at Cadwell Park, it won both with a lead of over 20 seconds. The Sabre can accommodate a number of motorcycle engines, from 1000cc units to the Suzuki Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZX14. The chassis is made from all round-tube steel and has been analysed in CAD. This allows virtual crash testing and may lead to FIA certification. Specification throughout the car is very high. We’re talking Ohlins dampers, aero section wishbones and anti-roll bars. Brakes are Wilwood four-pot calipers all-round with solid grooved discs (various upgrades being available). The kit price includes three days’ accommodation close to AB’s Suffolk factory. This is so that the team can tailor the car to the driver and get the driving position exactly right. It also ensures a good working relationship between the factory and customer. AB Performance, run by Andy Bates, is a motorcycle engine specialist with many years experience. Many of the cars running in the 750 Motor Club’s RGB Championship use engines that have been supplied by AB Performance. In 2011, the company received investment from Peter Jones on the BBC show Dragons’ Den. This has opened up a number of exciting possibilities that will be explored in 2012 and beyond.
SPECIFICATION CHASSIS: Tubular steel Tig welded spaceframe. Powdercoated in a choice of colours. BODYWORK: Nine-piece GRP body finished in self-coloured gelcoat. DONOR CAR: No donor parts. ENGINE OPTIONS: All current 1000cc motorcycle engines, Suzuki Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZX14 units. SUSPENSION: Inboard pushrod suspension working on aero section wishbones. Ohlins dampers. Tuning fork style anti-roll bars. STEERING: Bespoke AB components. Billet aluminium column incorporates paddleshift gearchange. BRAKES: Entry level Wilwood four-pot calipers on solid grooved discs. Optional upgrades. KIT PRICE: Complete kit including everything needed to complete car £22,000 plus VAT. BUDGET BUILD COST: £22,000 plus VAT. Turnkey car from £25,000 plus VAT.
SUMMARY – The AB Sabre is not a road car that has been adapted for track use – it’s a no-holds-barred race car that can be used on track days. It’s a very serious bit of kit.
AB Performance, Pie Hatch Farm, Brettenham Road, Buxhall, Suffolk IP14 3DZ T: 01449 736633 E: sales@abperformance.co.uk W: www.abperformance.co.uk
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www.completekitcar.co.uk