Product Review

Mid-Engine Sand Car Shootout

When the opportunity came up to check out three new mid-engine sand cars in the dunes at the same time, I jumped. As an owner of a mid-engine sand car, I can't say enough about how much I like the nimble feel that a mid-engine chassis provides. Many duners have enjoyed the slot car like capabilities for years. In the past, mid-engine sand cars have been light weight with 4 cylinder Subaru or VW engines. Over the last few years, a new breed of mid-engine cars has hit the dunes and revived the interest in mid-engine chassis. The three sand cars seen here from Mosebillt, Revenge Racing and Suspensions Unlimited are all new, ground up designs with sway bars, long trailing arms and many other engine options. I was interested to see how these new cars performed.

Mosebillt Universal MB2	Revenge Racing Silencer	Suspensions Unlimited Sand Pro 2

Mid-Engine Lineup: Revenge Racing, Mosebillt, Suspensions Unlimited
The lineup:
Revenge Racing, Mosebillt and Suspensions Unlimited

Mid-Engine Shootout
The mid-engine sand cars take to the dunes.

Mid-Engine Shootout

Able to handle V8 engines

These chassis’ are all setup to handle today’s heavier and more popular V8 engines. Compared to the lighter mid-engine from a few years back, you will notice more tubing and heavier wall thickness to help compensate for stress cause by the added weight.

Classic Mid-Engine Handling

Click image to enlarge

Typical mid-engine sand cars are known for their nimble "slot car" handling characteristics, and these three did not disappoint. They all cornered very well and handled side-hills like a billy goat.

Longer trailing arms, pivot location and anti-sway bars

Click image to enlarge

Mosebillt and SU are running 35.5" STUs and Revenge is running 33".

These sand cars have longer trailing arms (33" - 46") to help address some of the typical mid-engine weak points - running through whoops and jumping.

You will also notice that they all are equipped with anti-sway bars to help minimize body roll. Anti-sway bars are standard equipment on all of these cars, and really help when the engine choice is a heavy V8. Revenge Racing also has an optional front anti-sway bar.

Action Shots

Suspensions Unlimited



The Suspensions Unlimited sand car came equipped with a 600HP 6.0L LS2 and a Mendeola S4 Sequential transaxle.

Mosebillt



The Mosebillt sand car came equipped with a 550HP 6.0L LS2 and a Mendeola 2D transaxle.

Revenge Racing




The Revenge Racing sand car came equipped with a 550HP Turbo 3.0L Subaru and a Mendeola 2D transaxle.

Specification Comparison

Mosebillt

Revenge

Suspensions
Unlimited

Overall Length 13' - 14' 14' 2" 13' 5"

Wheelbase 124" 122" 123"

Front Width 85" 80" 80"

Rear Width 92" 94" 93"

Dry Weight (LSx) 2,100+ lbs. 2,000+ lbs. 1,995 lbs.

Engine Options LSx LSx, Subaru LSx

Front Travel 26" 20" 20"

Rear Travel 26" 20" 22"

Shocks Internal bypass front
Bypass rear Bypass front/rear
optional Bypass front/rear

Trailing Arm Length 46" 40" 33"

Power Steering 2.5" Rack Char-Lynn std.
2.5" Rack opt. Char-Lynn std.
2.5" Rack opt.

Brakes Front - 4 piston
Rear - 6 piston Front- 2 piston
Rear- 4 piston Front- 2 piston
Rear- 4 piston

Rear Hubs Micro-stub std.
Mid-board opt. Mid-board Micro-stub std.
Mid-board opt.

Front Spindle
2" Hollow
Combo std.
2" Hollow opt. Combo

Anti-Sway Bar Rear std. Rear std.
Front opt. Rear std.

Frame
1.75" .083 - 4130

1.5" .095" - 4130

1.5" .095" - 4130

Additional Photos:

Mosebillt





Revenge Racing





Suspensions Unlimited

Conclusions:

I had a great time checking out these cars at Glamis, and would encourage anyone that has interest in a new two seat sand car to check them out.

Although I was not shopping for a new sand car when I did the photo shoot, one thing led to another and I now have a new car on order. Justin at Revenge Racing will be building a Silencer for me with a Mendeola S4 and a DanZio built 600HP LS2.