Background
The Béry ES7 is a new motorcyle engined race car built by a former Ligier Formula
One engineer, Mr. Alain Béry, in France. Inspired by the Audi R8, this
lightweight sport racer uses a very clever aluminium monocoque chassis built using CAD designed aircraft spec. aluminum, bent,
and bolted together elements, which are easy to replace for repair.
"We are working on engine mount kits for the most popular
engines, as well as exhaust headers and silencers for them. The test car (pictured at the right) uses a Yamaha R6 engine. The third car is being built, powered by a 2002 Suzuki GSXR 1000 FI engine."
The car pictured on the right is chassis number 1. Mr Béry has already built 3 other cars; single seaters and a
track day inline double seater to take friends around tracks.
Structure
Some steel crossmembers are used for engine mount, hard points reinforcements, and the roll bar is bolted to the tub.
"As you can see, the car is very compact and lightweight. We are also working on a longer wheelbase car (90 in W/B versus 80 in) to accomodate taller drivers. The 90 inch wheelbase car will have the pedals behind front axle line, offering increased safety. The test car (pictured on the right) had a fairly high seat, thus showing the helmet quite high in the
picture. The later chassis will have a lower seating position, and the roll bar
can easily be built somewhat higher to accomodate the SCCA rules."
The structure in front of pedals can be made in honeycomb to be used as a crash box. Suspension
Front and rear suspension use pullrod and rockers operating rubber shocks.
"At the customer's request, we can mount regular shocks and springs but we found
the rubber suspension works well. It was been used in 1973 to win the Formula 1
World championship with Hesketh’s Harvey Postlewaite designed car.
At that time, the FIA decided that rubber was too cheap for the prestigious
Formula 1, and included in the rules the obligation to use shocks and springs!!!
If you look at today’s Formula 1 cars, their suspension hardly moves to maintain
aerodynamic efficiency and it doesn’t make much sense!"
The car uses 7" and 8" x 13" wheels fitted with Formula 3 tire sizes.
The third car is being built with revised suspension pick up points to improve the geometry, a longer wheelbase, larger cockpit to allow for more healthy drivers, and some mods to simplify the fabrication and the mechanical access.
Aerodynamics
Engine cooling is provided by large scoops on each side of cockpit, ducting to radiator with warm air going out the rear of the car.
The front uses a flat bottom for the present, with only bodywork for downforce.
An adjustable lip or a ground effect bottom is planned pending track results.
The actual bottom is a wooden flat panel connected to an aluminium rear diffuser. The aero developement has only started and we may see some aerodynamic improvements coming.
US Sales
"This car was first designed for hobby
and track day use in France. Since the local race regulations requiring an offset driver as
Per FIA Group C regs, the Béry would not be allowed to race in France.
This is the reason I proposed to try marketing the car in the US where the rules
are different."
"This car would be very suitable for DSR racing.
It seems to comply well within your rules, and we can do any requested
changes to adapt easily. We are looking for a distributor in the US."
"I have already received some mail from interested importers asking what are
our conditions to became an appointed distributor.
In fact, what we need is a solid partnership with someone wishing to import,
certify the car for your class(es), be able to support customers, and work together
with us for improving the product based on racing experience. We do not have
particular requirement, as far as quantities or minimal order, as we understand
that such a product must be seen in action and hopefully winning before you can
start selling successfully a certain number of cars."
Price
"This car is made to be fairly cheap to operate, to buy, and to repair while maintaining a good level of performances.
Final price needs to be defined after clarifying the mods needed to be legal in the US, but shoud be close to $25,000 USD FOB factory in assembled condition.
We are studying the possibility of selling kits, of different stages for DIY guys."
*Quotes above are from Dan Terraz. |
