Brit GT cars - windscreen demisters

[graham blackwell]

Does anyone know where the GT cars obtain their aircraft style windscreen demisters from. A lot of the in car shots show a device on the dashboard, cylindrical shape, with a cone on the end. This appears to be a fan used to blow warm air on the inside of the windscreen to keep it demisted.

I've scoured the net looking for a similar device to use in a saloon, but I cant find the right search string for google.

TIA
Graham

[Dave Brand]

I don't think this is the one you're thinking of, but take a look at:

http://www.nfauto.co.uk/demist.htm

[jase]

Graham, stupid question - but have you tried contacting a team directly?

[graham blackwell]

Originally Posted by jase

Graham, stupid question - but have you tried contacting a team directly?

Nope, would they reply to this type of question? (bit technical, LOL)
Do you have any web addresses for the teams?

[archibold]

I would expect they are using a heated windscreen rather than relying on vents and that the fan is extra...

Just my tuppence worth...

[graham blackwell]

Just watching another re-run on Motors TV, and its the Eurotech Porsche, #77 at Donington, which had the device on the dash. Driven by Micheal Caine. I'll see if I can find their site and I'll email them the question.

Could just be for blowing cool air over the driver.

[graham blackwell]

I spoke to the team running Mr Caines Porsche, and the device is manufactured by a company called Sobek, based in Germany. It was designed to act as a cooling fan for the brakes on the GT1, but has been moved to provide the driver with a jet of air when he's driving. It can also be used against the windscreen, but that isn't its primary role.

Can find no Sobek site, though there are a few mentions of Sobek equipment on Google.

[Audi R8R]

You mean this Sobek??

Sobek contact information-

Bernd Sobek-Mattern
Fliederstrasse 10
69517 Gorheimertal, Germany
Phone - 011 49 6201 205152
Fax - 011 49 6201 21834
Email - hydrosob@aol.com

[graham blackwell]

Originally Posted by Audi R8R

You mean this Sobek??

Sobek contact information-

Bernd Sobek-Mattern
Fliederstrasse 10
69517 Gorheimertal, Germany
Phone - 011 49 6201 205152
Fax - 011 49 6201 21834
Email - hydrosob@aol.com

I think he's an architect, from what I found anyway.

[Audi R8R]

Strange, the website I took it off and the article it was attached to was how to prep a Porsche GT3 for 24 hour racing, so maybe SOBEK utilise its equipment for construction and motorsport industry? Pump/fans etc?

[graham blackwell]

That makes sense. I'll try sending them an email.

[marcush.]

sobek is a very well known company in German Motorsports.They actually
manufacture piping,plumbing and fittings and do fabrication ,they do have a own sales department ,very competent.

[Jensen]

you could always take the windows out.....

[Adam43]

I am in the process of fitting a similar device to a closed car. I have purchased a cheapish heater/blower which was originally designed to plug into the cigar lighter. They are available from any motor spares place, or even Halfords (). I got mine from ebay, but it is nothing special!

I will wire this in and fit a switch to the car's control panel. As this year we have to use glass windows due to the regs this switch will be plugged in to the original heated rear-screen too - luxury!

[Jensen]

You will need it when the weather changes quickly, we ran the corvette C5 at the british GT race last year at Silverstone, it started dry and thn rained real quick, the rain was cold too, our driver paul horton could see nothing, he was driving using marker points, brave thing to do, he lasted untill the pit stop when we could clear screen, needless to say we fitted a de mister after that.

Rain X is good to.

Jensen

[marcush.]

it is beyond me why nobody uses rain,err fog ex as a precautionary every time the car goes out.sure as hell it helps enough to save you from seeing nothing at all....but another 5 horses is a better investment in most racers vision....