Palatov D1

The Palatov D1 is an American lightweight race car that was designed by American Dennis Palatov manufactured by his Portland, Oregon-based company Palatov Motorsport. A proof-of-concept prototype (dp1) was constructed over a period of several years using a 4-cylinder engine from Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle. There are detailed blogs on the design, build and testing of the prototype. After extensive testing the prototype was eventually retired and has since found a second life as the electric racecar.

Taking everything learned from the dp1 prototype, Dennis formed Palatov Motorsport in 2008 to manufacture lightweight track and racing cars. The first car released was the D4. Its development is documented in a separate blog. Now the D1 development continues with the American small displacement high revving 430 hp Hartley V8 engine and redesigned bodywork. First production D1 is expected to be released in 2011 and the development is being documented in its own bolg.

With a proprietary AWD system, extreme light weight and 1,000 hp per metric ton the D1 will be the flagship of the Palatov Motorsport product lineup. The D1 is designed to use the American designed and built Hartley V8 exclusively.

The production V8 version is intended for skilled and experienced track drivers who can make use of its potential. The D1 will only be sold as a complete (turnkey) car exclusively for track use with no streetable option.