Swift DB4

Swift DB4

Category	Formula Atlantic
Constructor	Swift Engineering
Predecessor	Swift DB3
Successor	Swift DB5
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fiber monocoque
Suspension	Steel wishbones, push-rod-actuated coil springs over shock absorbers
Engine	Toyota 4A-GE 1,600 cc (97.6 cu in) L4 mid-engined
Transmission	Staffs 5-speed manual
Power	240 hp (180 kW)
Weight	~ 1,058 lb (479.9 kg)
Fuel	VP Racing Fuels 102-RON Unleaded gasoline
Tyres	Yokohama
Competition history
Debut	1987

The Swift DB4 is an open-wheel formula racing car chassis, designed, developed and built by American Company Swift Engineering, for the Formula Atlantic spec-series, between 1987 and 1997. It won the championship five times, with four championships won four consecutive years in a row (1988, 1990–1993). It was powered by naturally aspirated 1.6 L (98 cu in) Toyota 4A-GE four-cylinder engine, producing about 240 hp (180 kW), which drove the rear wheels through a standard 5-speed manual transmission.

Technical Changes Over Time

• Initially released with the Ford BDA, the Swift DB4 was modified to fit the Toyota 4AGE when the rules favoured doing so.
• EFI became available in the early 90's by use of the "PLAYERS ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP" ECU developed by EFI USA and the mechanical side was developed by TRD.
• Composites on the chassis originally utilised E Glass then later S Glass and lastly a Carbon/Glass sandwich for the upper chassis. The lower part of the chassis remained an aluminium honeycomb for all Swift DB4s produced.

Early Racing History

The first Swift DB4 Formula Atlantic cars were built in Anaheim, California. The first car was chassis number 017-87, being the 17th car built by Swift Cars in 1987. After the successful DB1, DB2 and DB3 models, this was a radical new car to take on the dominant Ralt RT4 from England.

Designer David Bruns built the first American Formula Atlantic car, a car with evolutions such as no air box on the side of the engine. It featured a narrow British Staffs five speed gearbox.

The car was tested at Willow Springs by designer David Bruns and Swift founder R.K.Smith before it was taken to Watkins Glen, for the debut race in the hands of Steve Shelton from Florida, who had ordered the first customer car.

At Watkins Glen, Shelton qualified the new car on pole for the July 5th race, led the race until he ran over a curb and broke a front suspension pushrod and was out the race.

The car was rebuilt and went to Portland International Raceway for the next race in the hands of R.K.Smith. He won a heat along with Jimmy Vasser, who was in the third DB4 built (021-87). In the final Smith beat Vasser to record the first win by a DB4. Vasser went on to win at Laguna Seca over a large Atlantic field in mid October.

The second car (020-87) was delivered to Stuart Moore Racing in Chicago for Steve Shelton, while the fourth car (022-87) went to Peter Greenfield of Long Island, New York.

Shelton finished second in his first outing, at Road America in Wisconsin while Greenfield also made his debut in his new car at the same race. The original car then went to Road Atlanta with R.K. Smith driving but had problems in qualifying and only managed eighth on the grid. With engine problem fixed, Smith drove through the field to win the race, taking the lead on lap 3 of the 24 lap race and comfortably winning, setting fastest race lap as he scored the second consecutive victory for a DB4. At that race, Shelton finished third which secured the HFC Formula Atlantic Championship for him.

At the November Memphis Shootout race with over 48 entries. R.K.Smith qualified on pole from Jimmy Vasser but Ralt RT4 driver Jeff Krosnoff held off Steve Shelton for third fastest. That is how they finished the Memphis race, in that order. Seven new Swift DB4's qualified against thirty nine Ralt RT4's and collected three of the top four results. This caused tremendous interest from new car buyers and fifteen new DB4's were delivered the following year. Swift DB4's dominated the 1988 season winning 18 of 20 races including both Championships with Steve Shelton winning in the East and Dean Hall the West. In 1989 Hiro Matsushita won the Toyota Atlantic championship driving a DB4.