Borland Racing Developments specialises in the design and construction of open-wheel race cars. The latest Borland vehicles feature the values of technological innovation that have led them to racing success in Australia and overseas.
Spectrum 015 Formula Ford
The latest Spectrum 015 Formula Ford chassis is the latest in a long and distinguished line of Formula Fords designed and constructed by Borland Racing Developments.
Compared to its 014 predecessor, the 015 features evolutionary improvements to aerodynamics, safety and driver comfort.
Like other Spectrum Formula Fords, the 015 has been designed to optimise airflow over the car and to the engine, resulting in increased straight-line performance due to enhanced cooling and reduced drag. A hallmark of the Spectrum design has also been the inability of rivals to gain a tow through slipstreaming – this has also been enhanced with the revised 015 design.
Technical features of the Spectrum 015 include:
- Control 1.6 Litre Duratec engine
- Hewland 4-speed gearbox
- Motec data logging system
- Motorsport-quality wiring loom and electrics
- FIA-standard on-board extinguisher, racing harness and fuel cell
Spectrum F2000
For aspiring professional racers in America, an important category is USF2000, a series for “wings and slicks” racers and part of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder. The introduction of the National Class in 2017 has allowed different manufacturers to compete.
Through the knowledge gained in Formula Ford and F1600 categories, Borland designed the Spectrum 014Z F2000 car. It was developed around the same philosophies as other Borland vehicles: safety, simplicity, performance, ease of maintenance, and driver comfort.
The 014Z has undergone comprehensive aerodynamic testing, giving it a competitive lift/drag ratio and and reducing the tow to following cars.
Technical features of the Spectrum 014Z include:
- Ford Zetec engine
- Hewland 5-speed gearbox
- Motec data-logging system
- NMB aircraft-quality rod ends and bearings
- AP Racing aluminium brake calipers
- Motorsport-quality wiring loom and electrics
- FIA-standard on-board extinguisher, racing harness and fuel cell
Spectrum F1600
Borland’s expertise in designing vehicles for Australian Formula Ford competition has enabled diversification into equivalent series in other countries. One such example of this is the Spectrum F1600, an evolution of the Spectrum Formula Ford chassis adapted for use in the USF1600 and Canadian Formula Tour 1600 categories.
The chassis has been configured to accommodate the 1.5 Litre Honda engine used in these categories. Like its Australian cousins, the Spectrum F1600 has achieved vast success in the American and Canadian motorsport scenes, winning multiple races and championships including a title for Australian driver Scott Andrews, who won the 2015 USF1600 Series.
Other technical features are the same as the Spectrum Formula Ford and include:
- Hewland 4-speed gearbox
- Motec data logging system
- Motorsport-quality wiring loom and electrics
- FIA-standard on-board extinguisher, racing harness and fuel cell
- Bespoke Penske Racing dampers
Sabre Formula Vee
2024; Prolific Australian open-wheeler constructor, Borland Racing Developments (BRD), has sold its successful Sabre Formula Vee brand to long-time racing associates, Junior Racing Developments (JRD).
The sale inaugurates a new name for the brand in Sabre Racing Cars, and will see JRD taking over manufacture and development rights of the Sabres 01 and 02 from BRD – including the production of fresh chassis and spare parts.
BRD and Sabre founder, Mike Borland, said of the sale, “It is now the right time to pass the baton to a younger team to push the brand forward to the next level.
“The Reinhardts have run Sabres for over 20 years and supplied us with the VW running gear to run Sabres, so it is a logical progression for them to move into manufacturing cars and they are a perfect fit.”
Michael Reinhardt of JRD said, “Sabre Racing Cars is honoured that Mike and Tracey Borland have entrusted us with the custodianship of the marque Sabre Formula Vee brand and racing car which they have worked tirelessly building for 30 years.
“We will continue to engineer and build Sabres and all spare parts to the exacting high standards set by Borland Racing Developments and look forward to the exciting challenges of on-going development and increased on-track performance.
“With 21 Sabre 02’s racing around Australia we are looking forward to helping as many drivers as possible to get into the class leading Sabre 02 chassis along with exploring export opportunities”.
Sabre Formula Vees have been an integral pillar of Borland Racing Developments for over 30-years, constructing over 45 Formula Vees and claiming more than 20 State and National Championships.
