Dyslexia? What dyslexia? 21 year old builds supercar

[Angusdog]

21 year guy with dyslexia (The big 'C'...) builds a supercar in his garage/barn
Video link

Pretty clever. I don't know much more about it but here's his facebook page. Can't work out what engine it has. I doubt it's an F1 engine, in spite of what's implied in the video.

 

[ibrooks]

Can't watch the video here at work but I'm puzzled as to what dyslexia has to do with not being able to build a car. Being dyslexic does not mean someone is thick or has any sort of learning disability so why should building a car be difficult? Fabricating a spaceframe is not a difficult thing once you understand the principle and from the looks of the workshop there is no shortage of money for tools and no shortage of space.

There will be aspects that his disability will make difficult (measurements or following plans/diagrams spring to mind) but people who have conditions like this tend to find workarounds as they develop. I have a limited range of movement in my left arm but it's been there since birth and I've simply learnt to do many things slightly differently to account for it - very few people are aware of it or notice. Even close friends who have spent years with me in almost every aspect of life at one time or another don't always know. Occasionally I've had the question about why I do something like this or that rather than the "normal" way, at which point I'll explain.

As for it being faster than any supercar I'd like to see the evidence because I know of several home-built cars that will wipe the floor with anything made by Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ascari etc. I had an LSIS that would lap Donnington faster than a Porsche GT3 (both driven back to back by an ARDS instructor so not just a bad driver in the Porsche) - the owner of the Porsche was most upset when I told him that he could drive mine home if he gave me 3 grand.

All respect to the guy for building what is no doubt a fast car but "playing the dyslexia card" less so. I'm being charitable and suspecting that has more to do with the press trying to make it into a story than with the guy himself.

Iain

 

[Kungfugerbil]

I like it

Not sure how much of it was him and how much was his apparently handy and flush dad, but still impressive.

The lump will be a renault 3.5 from one of the formula renault cups - probably the Asia considering the location. Still a potent lump - somewhere above 350bhp from a compact unit, sequential box etc. lovely.

 

[ibrooks]

I'd like to thank a few main people that helped on the project because it got missed on TV. Thank you all very much for all your help. Really appreciated!

- Bryan Hayton for his help in hand crafting the body and carbon.
- Dan Slater for his help on the chassis construction and fabrication.
- Richard Moss for his help on electrical and wiring loom.
- Matt Houston for his engineering advice.

Thanks Guys!

Sounds like quite a team.

The damage I could do with those sort of resources and a suitable bank balance..............

 

[Angusdog]

Can't watch the video here at work but I'm puzzled as to what dyslexia has to do with not being able to build a car. Being dyslexic does not mean someone is thick or has any sort of learning disability so why should building a car be difficult? Fabricating a spaceframe is not a difficult thing once you understand the principle and from the looks of the workshop there is no shortage of money for tools and no shortage of space.

Sorry, didn't mean to offend anyone. The video links the guy to John Britten who also had dyslexia. As I understand it, dyslexics often struggle at learning to read because they find it difficult to think in a linear fashion, but excel beyond your average bloke at juggling multiple considerations or aspects in their head. Hence, a disproportionate number of great engineers and architects are dyslexic.

And it's a world away from this:

And if you want more of this, there's a whole build thread. Warning: The above pic is not a mock up. He used coat hanger wire for mockup.

 

[CRB]

Just as well, in a fashion, John did not think laterally, we would not have had the joy of this beauty.

THE most gorgeous piece of motorcycle engineering EVER. Do not even throw 916, MV, Katana et al in the mix, you are wrongity wrong wrong.

Hand made in New Zealand.

 

[CRB]

Just noticed you are countryman of his AngusDog.

 

[daleyd]

Just as well, in a fashion, John did not think laterally, we would not have had the joy of this beauty.

THE most gorgeous piece of motorcycle engineering EVER. Do not even throw 916, MV, Katana et al in the mix, you are wrongity wrong wrong.

Hand made in New Zealand.

I would throw the guzzi v8 and some of the hrc bikes into that mix though...

 

[CRB]

Cheeky Guzzi V8, I will allow that one....but NO more.

 

[Angusdog]

Just noticed you are countryman of his AngusDog.

Yup, John Britten is a bit of a hero. And the documentary is well worth a watch. When they take the Britten bike to Daytona and take on the Ducati teams, Andrew Stroud (the rider) passes the lead Ducati on the back wheel. The first race is abandoned due to rain, he pulls in to the pits and John Britten congratulates him. Andrew replies "I didn't go over half throttle..."

 

[CRB]

?What was the failing part that scuppered the bike, a ?rectifier/regulator? bought in part.

I have the video, model and Tshirt and cap.

I also have a 'thankyou' card from Kirsteen after I sent a condolence card on his death. I cannot think of anyone else I have done that for.

 

[stormin]

Can't watch the video here at work but I'm puzzled as to what dyslexia has to do with not being able to build a car. Being dyslexic does not mean someone is thick or has any sort of learning disability so why should building a car be difficult? Fabricating a spaceframe is not a difficult thing once you understand the principle and from the looks of the workshop there is no shortage of money for tools and no shortage of space.

There will be aspects that his disability will make difficult (measurements or following plans/diagrams spring to mind) but people who have conditions like this tend to find workarounds as they develop. I have a limited range of movement in my left arm but it's been there since birth and I've simply learnt to do many things slightly differently to account for it - very few people are aware of it or notice. Even close friends who have spent years with me in almost every aspect of life at one time or another don't always know. Occasionally I've had the question about why I do something like this or that rather than the "normal" way, at which point I'll explain.

As for it being faster than any supercar I'd like to see the evidence because I know of several home-built cars that will wipe the floor with anything made by Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ascari etc. I had an LSIS that would lap Donnington faster than a Porsche GT3 (both driven back to back by an ARDS instructor so not just a bad driver in the Porsche) - the owner of the Porsche was most upset when I told him that he could drive mine home if he gave me 3 grand.

All respect to the guy for building what is no doubt a fast car but "playing the dyslexia card" less so. I'm being charitable and suspecting that has more to do with the press trying to make it into a story than with the guy himself.

Iain

What does the LSIS stand for? I'm guessing Lotus Seven Inspired Something or other. What egine and running gear was your machine to be so cheap and fast, motorbike engined or performance car based?

 

[ibrooks]

Lotus Seven Inspired Sportscar.

It was a seriously worked Pinto. I'm not saying I didn't spend more than three grand building the car but at the time it was up for sale and that was around the mark they were fetching. I wish I'd kept hold of it for a few more years as similar cars are fetching three times that money nowadays but I'd had my fun and already bought the next project so needed rid. It went to a guy in Wales.

From the owners club I understand the engine was sold to go into an RS2000 rally car whilst the car got a Vauxhall "red-top". I'll guarantee it won't have anything like the torque that Pinto made but it'll probably be a "better" car for it with the power reigned back to around 150bhp.

In truth the car was way beyond my abilities as a driver which is why my GTM is getting a standard Micra lump rather than a V-Tec or similar as I think a light engine with modest power will make it a far more pleasant car to actually drive rather than something that seems to be constantly warning you that it's going to kill you.

My Focus however...... I keep having bad thoughts about twin turbos on the V6. I can see it being another supercar embarrassing tool.

Iain

 

[Shox Dr]

I saw a Bittern at the 2005 TT. Very nice

 

[daleyd]

I saw a Bittern at the 2005 TT. Very nice

A rare bird indeed but what's it got to do with bikes ?!!

 

[Shox Dr]

A rare bird indeed but what's it got to do with bikes ?!!

Birds and bikes just go together

 

[Shox Dr]

(Ironic speeling mishsteak.They don't call me Dyslexic Dave for nowt)

Besides: Birds and bikes just go together