Kayaba Provides Power Steering System For Aston Martin Racing

Kayaba Industry Co. Ltd. is supplying the new Aston Martin Racing team with its Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system, in a three year technical partner sponsorship deal.

Specially designed system for racing use, Kayaba's EPS system is fitted to all Aston Martin Racing's DBR9 cars.

The EPS system provides a number of benefits over hydraulic power steering systems, including improved steering feel with a high torque sensor, higher energy efficiency, and five levels of assistance which can be selected to suit each driver's requirements. For ease of installation and replacement, Kayaba's EPS can be fitted without the need for oil, pumps, piping or tanks, and no additional alternator or batteries are needed.

Kayaba's EPS system can be installed in any position between the steering wheel and steering gearbox, and has a number of innovative features for racing use that suppress electric noise, heat and vibration. The system can be adjusted to suit different types of cars and has a high power motor generating a high steering rating. For safety, the system has a monitor to sense failure or changes in the current from the battery and to the motor. A sensor also monitors the motor temperature and level of steering input torque.

Aston Martin returned to international motorsport this year. In its debut race at Sebring in Florida, Aston Martin Racing got off to a flying start with a GT1 class victory, and finishing in fourth place overall. The team will compete in 2005 at Grand Touring (GT) championships and other events in North America and Europe, including Le Mans.