The idea of building buggies came from Agris Smelteris, an entrepreneur with experience in both house building business and beer brewing. He bought a buggy made in Spain and realized that he could create something better, because motorsport has always been relevant to him. That’s how Agris started his research, read books about the principles of sports car operation and together with the team learned what he needed in the work process.
Without pretending to be a production expert, Paul has gone to Hornet Factory Racing Team, to explore in more detail how buggies go from idea and sketch to finished vehicle. Paul is pleasantly surprised from the very beginning, because the buggies created by Agra and his team have been thought out down to the last detail, moreover, they are suitable for Latvians’ tall bodies – there would be enough space for a basketball player in the buggie.
Hornet Factory Racing Team the software is not a panacea, but a tool, because everything starts on the computer screen with a drawing, but later most of the parts are made on site, shock absorbers are made to order. Each part must be light, durable, cheap enough and functional so that the geometry is correct and the car rolls. The parts of the buggies are sprung and milled, their frame is self-made, with strict control over the sequence of welding and processes. On the other hand, flat metal parts are cut with a laser, and the technologies allow you to get to 3D parts in 20 seconds, which allows you to significantly reduce costs.
The team is convinced that there is room for growth in technical sports. This is confirmed by Jānis Baumanis after the buggy tests, and it is safe to say that it has solved a series of problems that can backfire a lot in lap times.
When we will see the Latvian buggies on the track and whether they will also roll in the European Championship, we will find out in the new series of the program.
In this Tribe of Speed in the season, Paul Timrots and the broadcast team are looking for adventures, technological innovations, legendary personalities and interesting interlocutors. Tribe of Speed can also be seen every Thursday LMT on Smart TV and on the Internet.
