Although the company has only been established since 2003 the key personnel involved have been racing for decades. Chief designer Anders W. Bonde and General manager Dan Suenson with their individual organizations teamed up and constructed a Formula Ford for the ‘Einsteiger’ series.
In 2005 development started and by 2006 the first Aquila FZ1 was winning international races. The Aquila FZ1 won the 2007 Danish Formula Ford championship with Christian L. Markussen at the wheel. Both drivers finished in the points every race that season.
By 2008 a regulation change in Formula Ford required running with a Duratec engine, in response the FD1 was developed and in its first season out, dominated the Danish championship with Fukamoni Racing's Kevin Magnussen fresh from karting. The season included several victories and lap records.
The Aquila concept uses simple and stiff chassis technology, with a focus on reducing the car's center of gravity in order to utilise the contact patch as much as possible, reducing the wear on tires and brake pads.
The Aquila CR1 is now the face of Aquila Racing Cars and many people refer to it as just “the Aquila.” With smooth styling and big V8's for reliability the CR1 is used as both a track day car and serious race car. Designed to be easy to drive with the lowest possible center of gravity, the two seated sports GT can be set up for a new track within 30 minutes thanks to its 8 pin release system on the front and rear (engine) cover. This means the bodywork can be removed by two mechanics in less than one minute, giving immediate access to all of the cars components for setup.
The Aquila CR1 sports GT has continued to represent the company on an international level since the first cars rolled of the production line in April 2008, and became 24 hour approved by Wessex Vehicles at Silverstone, England, during the 2011 Britcar 24 hour race.
The Aquila CR1 has a low mass of 900 kg, extremely low centre of gravity, and low frontal area. The Aquila CR1 chassis has undergone more than four seasons of continuous competitive racing development. The car is accepted into numerous championships across Europe.
The Aquila CR1 will also accommodate two 6’ 8” (207 cm) tall persons simultaneously in a car that only measures 1025mm from the tarmac to the top of the roof. An excellent feature which is used by Aquila to attract larger gentleman drivers.
Aquila Racing Cars use the CR1 to host events and promote businesses. Each year Aquila Racing Cars Denmark, generates over 50,000 Danish Krone for charity with CR1 tours in Copenhagen.
All Aquila CR1 sports GT's include:
Traction control
Integral air jack system
Windshield wiper system
Headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals
Centre lock hubs
Wheels with slicks
Fully adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars (front bar adjustable by driver
Electrically heated triplex windshield for de-misting
Adjustable pedal box for reach from driver's seat
Quick-change facility for left hand drive or right hand drive
Chassis: High strength aluminium bonded and riveted monocoque
Brakes: Wilwood 4 piston front and rear (interchangeable)
Fuel cell: 80litre FT3, low CG mounted fuel cell
Suspension: Push rod activated Intrax adjustable coilovers (interchangeable)
Wishbones: All round wishbone setup interchangeable left/right on the front and rear
Wheels: Front – 18”X11.5” Rear – 18”X13.5”
Bodywork: Vacuum moulded super lightweight composite bodywork. 4 pin release system, sectional bodywork for easy repair. Wooden replaceable splitter
Cockpit: Adjustable pedal box for faster driver change, overhead switches, easy read steering wheel dash, over spacious design, driver adjustable front anti roll bar, adjustable brake bias and forced air driver cooling
Exhaust: Stainless steel
Safety: FIA spec electrical fire extinguisher system, FIA FT3 safety cell, 6 point harnesses, front crash box, quick release doors, group CN spec rollover structure and triplex laminated windshield with heating. 0.75mm oversize monocoque sheets
Chassis: High strength aluminium bonded and riveted monocoque
Brakes: Wilwood 4 piston front and rear (interchangeable)
Fuel cell: 80litre FT3, low CG mounted fuel cell
Suspension: Push rod activated Intrax adjustable coilovers (interchangeable)
Wishbones: All round wishbone setup interchangeable left/right on the front and rear
Wheels: Front – 18”X11.5” Rear – 18”X13.5”
Bodywork: Vacuum moulded super lightweight composite bodywork. 4 pin release system, sectional bodywork for easy repair. Wooden replaceable splitter
Cockpit: Adjustable pedal box for faster driver change, overhead switches, easy read steering wheel dash, over spacious design, driver adjustable front anti roll bar, adjustable brake bias and forced air driver cooling
Exhaust: Stainless steel
Safety: FIA spec electrical fire extinguisher system, FIA FT3 safety cell, 6 point harnesses, front crash box, quick release doors, group CN spec rollover structure and triplex laminated windshield with heating. 0.75mm oversize monocoque sheets
Chassis: High strength aluminium bonded and riveted monocoque
Brakes: Wilwood 4 piston front and rear (interchangeable)
Fuel cell: 80litre FT3, low CG mounted fuel cell
Suspension: Push rod activated Intrax adjustable coilovers (interchangeable)
Wishbones: All round wishbone setup interchangeable left/right on the front and rear
Wheels: Front – 18”X11.5” Rear – 18”X13.5”
Bodywork: Vacuum moulded super lightweight composite bodywork. 4 pin release system, sectional bodywork for easy repair. Wooden replaceable splitter
Cockpit: Adjustable pedal box for faster driver change, overhead switches, easy read steering wheel dash, over spacious design, driver adjustable front anti roll bar, adjustable brake bias and forced air driver cooling
Exhaust: Stainless steel
Safety: FIA spec electrical fire extinguisher system, FIA FT3 safety cell, 6 point harnesses, front crash box, quick release doors, group CN spec rollover structure and triplex laminated windshield with heating. 0.75mm oversize monocoque sheets
Chassis: High strength aluminium bonded and riveted monocoque
Brakes: Wilwood 4 piston front and rear (interchangeable)
Fuel cell: 80litre FT3, low CG mounted fuel cell
Suspension: Push rod activated Intrax adjustable coilovers (interchangeable)
Wishbones: All round wishbone setup interchangeable left/right on the front and rear
Wheels: Front – 18”X11.5” Rear – 18”X13.5”
Bodywork: Vacuum moulded super lightweight composite bodywork. 4 pin release system, sectional bodywork for easy repair. Wooden replaceable splitter
Cockpit: Adjustable pedal box for faster driver change, overhead switches, easy read steering wheel dash, over spacious design, driver adjustable front anti roll bar, adjustable brake bias and forced air driver cooling
Exhaust: Stainless steel
Safety: FIA spec electrical fire extinguisher system, FIA FT3 safety cell, 6 point harnesses, front crash box, quick release doors, group CN spec rollover structure and triplex laminated windshield with heating. 0.75mm oversize monocoque sheets
Formula Fords
The Aquila Formula Ford is a Formula Ford chassis, designed for use on tracks with a preponderance of slow and medium speed corners. The Aquila Formula Ford breaks the trend of Formula Ford chassis getting ever longer, taller and fatter. The Aquila engineers studied the technical regulations, with the assistance of Ford and the UK Formula Ford Chief Scrutineer.
FZ1
Formula Ford with Zetec 1.8L
FD1
Formula Ford with Duratec 1.6L
History
2003 – Founding of Aquila.
2005– The idea of producing a Formula Ford begins.
2005 – 2006 – Development and build of the first two Aquila FZ1 Formula Fords.
