Chassis Identification, types and Styles:
Note some, not all photo's are linked to larger views

MACE THOMAS The Original "Mini-Champ" chassis, which is found in several configurations/models are still competing in some form in FIRA. Beginning in the early 1970s and built in some form through say 1997, these were constructed by NAMRA founder Mace Thomas and/or his son, have proven to be utilitarian and strong. Mace chassis are grand-fathered into FIRA as they generally have only 1" roll cage materials. There are several of these chassis in FIRA, some have been upgraded to 1.25" cages while others have had suspensions added. MACE chassis can be identified by either a flat shovel nose or a real pointed nose and a stepped side pod allowing for clutch clearance as virtually all the these chassis were designed as a rear engine, two stoke powered race car. An original, unsuspended Mace car is a great platform to start your FIRA career with, but in Illinois, you must have a good dentist to keep your fillings from falling out! Many other chassis makers constructed "knock offs" or copies of the Mace Chassis as well.

Jim Joliff’s Micro Belmont company in Michigan still produces Formula Indy parts and at one time made their own F440 road racer's and oval car lovingly referred to as the "Belmont Tub". This chassis was a large piece of aircraft aluminum bent into the shape of a big rain gutter into which the front axle, roll cage and rear axle, jackshaft and engine was bolted. The cars were quite popular and there are many of these cars around although we don’t know of any which are registered or compliant with current rules. There may have been as many as 100 of these tub cars built over the years. Our current webmaster’s War Hawk is loosely based on the semi-monocoque Belmont Tub.

There are many early chassis builders who made cars for ovals as well as road courses. Out of Canada came the Knievel (yep by Evil) , as well as the Laser . The last know laser chassis was last run in FIRA in 2001 and is owned by a former Member in Minnesota. Florida had the Marquis Stinger, which was a knock off of the popular and successful Belmont (tub) style. Kalamazoo engineering’s Koyote, was a very popular an oval car. Many of Don Hanley’s (Race Cars of the Future, Butte Montana) makes the Red Devil. Don’s cars number in the thousands now and I have seen 1974 models and worked on a 2002 model last week! There are several Red Devil F440/F500 converted road cars based cars out there.

Indy’s John Zink, a noted chassis builder, designed an F440 in several styles and had several licensees around the country building the Zink road race car. Several have been modified for oval racing with one that has actually won the Pro Am Championship two times; once with Anne Kevin in the early 90’s and most recently 2002 when owned by ProAm Champ Mike Nelson..

In terms of road race conversion cars, KBS  formerly made in California, has been utilized along with the Red Devil as the chassis of choice in oval racing in Montana. A few years ago, a fellow named Dennis Miller from Montana brought out his beautifully prepared KBS oval car powered by a Rotax 521 and won his heat at the Little Car Nationals in Rockford.

The Miller chassis appears to be quite popular in NAMRA today and are constructed by many time champion, and veteran racer Scott Miller. These chassis are made of alloy steel, well engineered, flawlessly constructed, unsuspended chassis which have proven themselves time and time again to be winners. The chassis is especially effective on smooth tracks were the suspension can be adjusted for maximum performance. If there is any weak points, it is their relatively small size and the fact that they are not suspended. On a smooth track with a good engine, they are virtually impossible to beat.

Many of these cars were also run in the Illinois side of the pond in the organization originally known as MMRA (Midwest Mini champ Racing Association) which was ultimately renamed the Formula Indy Racing Association, FIRA

My first experiences in the current FIRA organization was in 1990. I remember seeing many one-of Chassis. Most were styles from Michigan with a few made locally in the Crystal Lake area. Most styles were based upon the Indy style cars of the early and mid 1970s and incorporated faired noses ala the old Gurney Eagle and AJ Foyt Coyote Indy cars. There were several Belmont tubs running then all powered by Chaparral engines. FIRA had a two class system back then also and the Chap was the B class engine of choice while the A class (now Pro) utilizing mostly 521 Rotax engines with a spattering older Polaris triples and Arctic Cats. TNT made a couple chassis, and MECUM (a car dealer from the Crystal Lake, IL. area) made several oval racers in the 70s . 
Most chassis in the club then were one of's Wally Reitz’s War Hawk is an example (a multi-time Pro champion with the latest title taken in 2002). Willowbrook’s Loehman Brothers Special (2 time Pro champion with Tom Cormack driving) is also still racing as it was recently acquired by a rookie . As stated above Red Devil converted F440 car also a champion car and other specials like Kenny Losch’s original car, a version of which made it to the cover of a major FIRA pr publication.

My first car was acquired from the Thompson brothers in 1990. It was a pile of parts and a roll cage loosely called a Red Devil. After inspection, the only parts that I could identify as being a Red Devil were a roll bar hoop, a dash hoop and a steering rack. I reconstructed the car and after being sold to Dave Behnke, then sold to Steve Lemke, then Kevin Penne it is now being campaigned by past president Dick Heath. Like fine wines, quality FIRA cars just seem to get better with age.

The first sense of mass produced chassis intended for FIRA use was accomplished by former FIRA racer  Dave Behnke. Dave loved the simplicity of FIRA cars and opened s shop to produce a race car he called the "Fast Way" . There were three models, the fast Way One and two versions of what was called the Fast Way two. We have been able to count a total of 9 of these chassis being built. Of this 9, most are still registered and are being raced. The Behnke Fast Way chassis has proven to be very strong, if not heavy. Behnke cars have unmistakable body lines and have a very wide roll cage. Drivers of 6’2" can fit as the cars are designed for an upright style sitting position for a stock car or sprint car racing seat. Austin Konetsky, and Ronny Morris have both won championships in Behnke Chassis.

The Predator was the brainchild of yours truly and after partnering up with Keith Howard (now FIRA President and PR director) and Leon Steenbergen (vari-tech ) who manufactures the chassis, the Predator became a reality in 2000. There are now 18 or so Predator chassis around. The Predator is only a race platform that the owner/builder can finish themselves. Predator owners can choose currently from two body styles, for side engine bike engines, rear bike or sled engines. Other components are readily available from Vari-tech, various machinists like FIRA member Jim Bass or others; with bearings etc. from local industrial suppliers. Predators have amassed a striking number of wins and a championship. Strengths of the Predator include build-in proven technology in a rather attractive modern formula car appearance. Weaknesses could include the need to finish the car yourself and rear engine drivers are limited to being about 6’ tall currently. Several Predators have made their way to road racing as the Midwest Council has given their stamp of approval to FIRA cars in general.                

We have attempted to provide a little background as to formula Indy race cars and our club. If you have any further information, please notify us so we can continue to develop our historical data file.

by: Phil Groebe, Designer/Builder, Toast master and P.R.
with minor assistance from Wally Reitz, FIRA Racer, Websterer, and (Keeper of photos).

Thanks to Dick & Jean Hautzinger and Dave McBohm ( although he doesn't know it )
for supplying some of the Photos and research material for the above