Bug Eyed

The Bug Eyed car is the third in a series of Volkswagen Pro-Stockers, built, driven and run by Karl Donovan. The present car first appeared at the race track in 1997. The car is superbly finished and is evidence of Karl's dedicated and committed approach.

The BugEyed chassis is built from 1.625" CDS tubing, having a Pro-Stock style cage around the driver. The engine and drivetrain are fixed in the chassis by means of aluminium motorplates. The drive is taken via chrome-moly ladder-bar rear suspension and coil-over shock-absorbers. The front suspension system is light-weight MacPherson struts and rack and pinion steering. The front wheels are spindle mounted with no brakes. The front track is 8" narrower than stock with the rear 10" narrower. The wheelbase is 100".

The body is a modified steel origanal. The doors were made in Carbon- Fibre. Front end is Kevlar weave, and the wings are modified BodyStyle type. All body & aluminium panel fabrication by Karl. The paint on BugEyed is House of Kolor. It was applied by John Rolfe, owner of J.R.S. Finishers of Kent.

The engine in BugEyed is 2500cc with Autocraft block, 90mm stroke Scat flanged crank, Carrillo steel connecting-rods, 94mm Wiseco pistons and Autocraft heads. Carburation is by a pair of 48 IDA Webers, machined to accept 51.5mm throttles. The clutch is a McCloed floater type. The engine produces enough power to do a low 10 second pass.

The gear-case is Volkswagen Type 1 with gussets welded to it for extra strength. All gears are heavy-duty and have Liberty Pro-Rings fitted. FTC 9130 steel mainshaft. Ratios 1st 3.78 2nd 2.21 3rd 1.56 4th 1.30 R&P 3.88. A Dave Folt Aluminium spool (no differential) connects the drive to the 5" shorter than stock axles. Stopping is by Wilwood rear brakes and a Deist junior dragster chute.

60ft 1.33sec, 1/4mile 10.20sec 130mph.