Natural Fibre Mini Parts.

His own project is a track inspired classic mini, suspension and engine upgrades are a given but his focus for the car is for it to be as light as possible. The previous dash panels needed to be renewed, removing unnecessary instrument gauges left unsightly holes. The new panel needed to maintain the light weight criteria and be easy for the driver to see the gauge faces.

Porsche have recently made hemp panels for their 24hr race cars, with this inspiration, Rob researched hemp and resin and found Easy Composites. Reading through the website I was able to use the LB2 Bio Epoxy Resin and hardener to create my own 'vegetarian' race car parts in the form of dash panels.

Using a MDF plug and release agent to make a mould, he was able to create the shape for the left hand panel using simple fibreglass matting and resins. He was then able to use the moulds to laminate the Hemp Fibre and resin to make the finished parts. They could then be trimmed and fitted to the car.

Working with the hemp sheets was easy and did not cause any irritation. Rob was particularly happy with the finish, the hemp fibres giving the dash panels a luxury look - something not always found in a stripped out race car - especially a classic. Rob now has other projects and components he would like to attempt creating.