The Lazer Formula Vee

 
 

The Lazer is undoubtedly the best looking Formula Vee on the market. It’s thin profile and aerodynamic curves make it stand out from the rest of the pack. Simply put, the Lazer is a Formula Vee that just plain looks like a racecar!

However, the Lazer definitely is NOT all about looks. Attention has bee paid to every aspect of the car, resulting in an all-around great racecar that holds many records and can win on any track. The Lazer is an aerodynamic, great handling, easily serviceable, and ergonomically-designed purpose-built racecar that is just as functional as it is beautiful.


 





Features:

  1. •Best-looking FV on the market!

  2. •Original Design by Jerry Knapp of Elite Autosports, Inc.

  3. •Improvements made by Larry Campbell of Campbell Motorsport, Inc.

  4. •Narrow, aerodynamic bodywork

  5. •Surprisingly roomy and ergonomic cockpit

  6. •Excellent head cooling

  7. •Great oil cooling

  8. •Full-Length aerodynamic belly pan

  9. •Over-the-top 4-2-1 tuned exhaust

  10. •Low ride height and center of gravity

  11. •Easily serviced and changed engine and gearbox

  12. •Upright, comfortable driving position

  13. •Tig welded components

  14. •Innovative forward-facing pitman arm design

  15. •Dual master cylinders with bias adjustment

  16. •Hydraulic clutch

  17. •Light custom pedalbox

  18. •Aluminum steering and rear suspension rods

  19. •Billet aluminum oil filter and cooler mounting block (eliminates plumbing)



Options:

The Lazer package can be customized to fit your needs and fabrication skill level. You can order the Lazer as a complete ready-to-race car, roller, slider, or even just a bunch of parts.



Customization:

Hendricks Racing is all about trying new and innovative ideas. If you have ideas, see something you like on another car, or want to try a completely new and outlandish system on your Lazer, Hendricks Racing will make it work!

Want to run your Lazer as a Formula First? Sounds Good.

Don’t like the zero-roll rear suspension? Let’s talk.

Need a cockpit for an especially tall or short driver? Easy.

Want a Lazer Formula Ford? Alright, let’s not get carried away... but maybe someday!



Pricing:

Hendricks Racing makes custom-ordered Lazer packages that fit your needs and desires, so it’s difficult to give an exact quote without having a detailed discussion about the exact design of your particular Lazer.

Hendricks Racing offers the following kits, which can be modified to fit your exact specifications:


Basic Kit

Includes chassis, body, and all Lazer-specific hardware (shifter, steering, suspension, etc.)


Complete Kit

Basic kit plus all required assembly hardware (bolts, plumbing, electrical, etc.)


Complete Roller

Everything but the engine (Complete kit plus VW parts)

 

The Lazer’s History   (abridged version)

The first Lazer L-85 was designed by Jerry Knapp (a veteran FV and Super Vee racer) of Elite Autosports and built in 1984 for Jerry’s son Steve Knapp, who would later become 1998 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. Steve raced the Lazer at the 1984 SCCA National Runoffs to a 4th place finish. He then campaigned the Lazer throughout the Central and Midwest Divisions in 1985 with Jerry, winning poles and races and setting many lap records. The 1985 season ended at Atlanta with Steve on pole by 0.680 seconds. Unfortunately Steve spun due to oil on the track and finished 12th, but still set a new lap record, which stood until 1993 when it was broken by Bill Wallschlaeger...
in a Lazer.


Jerry Knapp passed away in early 1987 due to complications arising from Leukemia. After discussions with Elite Autosports, the Lazer project was purchased by Campbell Motorsport, Inc., in October, 1987.

Recognizing the excellent design and great potential of the Lazer, Campbell Motorsport modified the original L--85 and released the second generation Lazer MKII.

The MKII met all its expectations, proving to be a competitive car capable of running at the front of the pack at any track in any division, but Campbell Motorsport continued to search for improvements, such as increasing interior cockpit area. Through slight redesign and improved construction methods, Campbell Motorsport was able to increase foot room, improve the shifter assembly, completely enclosed the fire system within the fuel cell cover, and make the Lazer easier to service, enter, and exit as well as add a tall roll bar option, which extends the roll bar above the bodywork like many current FC cars.

Campbell Motorsport continued its improvement efforts with the evolution of the MKII to the MK2.5, which refined each component and improved small details of the car. The original L-85 had a great design, so many of the main components remain unchanged and the original appearance has been maintained. However, driver comfort and safety were drastically increased. The Lazer currently uses 4 layers of Kevlar in the cockpit for driver protectioin, twice the requirement of the GCR, and the roll bar area has been strengthened with roll bars 25% over the GCR requirements.


In October, 2008, G. Brian Metcalf of Amy Lynn Racing, LLC, acquired ownership of the Lazer project and continued both the manufacturing and design improvement of the Lazer.

Hendricks Racing became the ownder of the Lazer project in April 2013 when Barret Hendricks trading G. Brian Metcalf for the rights to the Lazer during the 50th Formula Vee birthday celebration at Roebling Road Raceway in Savannah, Georgia. All the jigs and molds necessary for building the Lazer were then transported back to Florida.


Unfortunately, the equipment was then stolen before it could even be unloaded from the trailer.

After months of doing everything possible to recover the stolen items, it started to become evident that the thieves would not be brought to justice.


While this was a dark time in the Lazer’s story, it was not the end and Hendricks Racing has worked to restore the Lazer to its former glory.

In October and November 2013, Barret Hendricks ran a Save The Lazer crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.

You can see the campaign page at igg.me/at/SaveTheLazer

and watch the video at vimeo.com/75773521

The campaign was very successful from both financial and networking perspectives. Over $5000 of funds were raised to save the Lazer project and Barret created connections that have proven invaluable during the process of rebuilding.


After the crowdfunding campaign, Barret Hendricks bought the #13 Lazer L85 that he raced against several times in his youth when it was driven by Rick Cardenas. This L85 was the third Lazer built by Jerry Knapp in 1988, was driven by great drivers, has been modified by experienced designers and fabricators, and even has the last tail section ever built by Larry Campbell. This car not only has historical significance but also interesting modifications and potential ideas for future Lazers, such as the unique steering or pull-rod rear suspension.


In 2022, Barret was contacted by Eric Wunrow, who had just bought a Lazer MkII from Rob Wallschlaeger. Rob had taken great care of the car and the bodywork was impeccable. Eric was gracious enough to let Barret use the bodywork to create molds and later Barret would buy the car from Eric and use the bodywork to create a new iteration of the Lazer.


Currently, Hendricks Racing has worked on a Lazer Mk3, which is a version of the Mk2.5 with only minor modifications to meet current rules, increase safety, and reduce weight. All tooling has been created for this version of the Lazer and work has continued for a new generation (possibly named the Mk4) which will have radical new designs for increased performance, decreased weight, and better serviceability while keeping all parts backwards-compatible to previous generations of the Lazer.

 

Overview