THE HISTORY:
Jerry Knapp of Elite Autosports, Inc., of Cokato, MN, designed the original LAZER L-85 in 1984. Jerry spent many years as a car designer, fabricator, and racer in both formula vee and super vee.
The L-85 first raced at the Runoffs in 1984 by Jerry's son Steve (1998 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year) to a 4th place finish. It was after Atlanta that the first production L-85's were built. Steve and Jerry campaigned the LAZER throughout the Central and Midwest Divisions in 1985 winning several races, capturing several poles, and setting several lap records in the process. The year ended at Atlanta with Steve on the pole by .680 seconds. Unfortunately Steve spun on some oil on lap 7 and finished 12th, but he did set a new race lap record. That record stood until 1993, when it was broken by Bill Wallschlaeger…….. in a Lazer.
In early 1987 Jerry Knapp died of complications resulting from Leukemia. The L-85 project was offered for sale at that time. After a series of discussions with Elite Autosports the project was purchased in October 1987. At that time Campbell Motorsport, Inc., was formed to manufacture and distribute the car.
The LAZER L-85 underwent some changes and redesign and the LAZER MK II, the second generation LAZER was produced by Campbell Motorsport. We felt the original L-85 was an excellent car but thought there was more potential available. We also thought that some of the original parts could be modified to make the car both easier to build and service. Our design goal was to maintain the exciting/ aerodynamic looks of the original car while making it an easier car to drive, build, and service.
Starting with our first test session the MK II lived up to its expectations. The MK II ran at the front of the pack and won both at the regional level and the national. The MK II performed well on the long, smooth, fast tracks and the bumpy short courses.
The LAZER in recent years has won races on a variety of different tracks with several different drivers. It is a car capable of winning on any track in any division.
THE PRESENT & THE FUTURE
The MK II is and has been a very good racecar, but we have always been looking for ways to make it better. One of the areas that we have always wanted to address was internal cockpit room. Our goal was to rearrange and redesign some of the components to increase the cockpit area. We wanted to do this without affecting the excellent shape of the bodywork. We started working on this project in January 1996 calling it the LAZER MK 2.5, with the first car testing and racing in 1997. By changing some construction methods we were able to increase foot room forward of the front roll bar. This change allowed a revised shift linkage, which is easier to shift, install and service. This also allowed us to redesign the fuel cell and seating area. The redesigned fuel cell permits the fire system to be mounted and completely enclosed by the fuel cell cover. This has removed the fire system from it "normal" position just forward of the front roll bar, making it much easier to enter and exit the car. In 1998 we added the tall roll bar option. This roll bar extends above the bodywork much like the many of the current FC cars. The short roll bar option is still available.
The change from the MK II to the MK 2.5 is evolutionary rather then revolutionary. Some of the main components of the car remain unchanged since the redesign from the L-85 to the MK II. We have however been refining each component and the small details of the car. The car is now 90% tig welded and all steel components (except chassis of course) are nickel-plated. We have been working on increasing driver comfort and safety . The LAZER has always been a leader in FV in the use of composite materials for driver side protection. The LAZER bodywork currently uses 4 layers of Kevlar in the cockpit area, TWICE the Kevlar required per the GCR requirements. The roll bar area has undergone further review and has incorporated additional bracing and gussets, besides using tubing with 25% additional wall thickness over GCR requirements.
The physical appearance of the LAZER has remained unchanged to date. It would be difficult to improve on the looks and function of Jerry's original design but we are always reviewing alternate designs for the various components. We feel we have significantly improved the mechanical components to make the LAZER MK 2.5 the FV, which will lead the way to the future.
LAZER MK 2.5 -- HIGHLIGHTS & FEATURES
• A FV that looks like a racecar!
• Original design by a veteran FV racer and automotive designer- Jerry Knapp
• Narrow, aerodynamic
body work- but surprisingly roomy about the same size as a DB-1
Formula Ford in the cockpit
• Excellent head cooling
• Excellent oil cooling
• Full-length belly pan
• Over the top exhaust system
• Low ride height and center of gravity
• Fast and easy engine and gearbox changes
• Up right seating position, for better driver comfort
• Room for tall drivers
• 90% tig welded components
• Nickel-plated steel components, for better looks and easy maintenance
• Forward facing pitman arm with steering box mounted upside down
• Dual Master cylinders with adjustable bias
• Hydraulic clutch
• Fabricated pedal assembly
• Aluminum steering rods and rear suspension drivers
• Single shock, over the transmission, o-roll rear suspension
• Billet aluminum oil filter/ oil cooler mounting block- eliminates all oil filter plumbing
• Excellent technical support
• LARGE parts inventory to support your racing effort
THE LAZER MK 2.5 FV WILL BE OFFERED AS FOLLOWS:
CONSTRUCTORS KIT- $5995.00
Includes all items manufactured
by Campbell Motorsport. Those items not included would be all VW parts,
rod ends, seat belts, instruments, fasteners, brake lines, master cylinders,
electrical components, steering wheel, shocks, spring, engine, gearbox,
wheels, tires, fire system, mirrors, and other miscellaneous parts that
normally can be purchased from any racing supply business.
Note: the fuel cell and exhaust system are included. A complete list of
components is available on request
COMPLETE KIT- $7895.00
Includes all components for a FV except VW parts, engine, gearbox, wheels,
tires, fire system, battery, and miscellaneous wiring supplies. A complete
list of components is available on request.
ROLLERS & COMPLETE CARS:
Priced per car depending on level of equipment required.
OPTIONS:
Penske Rear Shock (with
complete kit only)................................$575.00
Penske Front Shocks (with complete kit only)..............................$275.00
each
NOTES:
1. All prices FOB Menominee,
MI
2. Prices and specifications subject to change
3. Crating charges for common carrier shipment- extra
(REV 12/01)