History of Storm Chassis

Curtis Pepe, an engineer by trade, started racing with his sons in 1997. From the beginning he took a scientific approach to improving the handling and speed of his cars. Careful note taking while experimenting with different parameters combined with many laps at different tracks gained success. Curtis drew on his training as an engineer to analyze the forces on the chassis and suspension. Adjusting the geometry of existing designs could only gain so much. It was time to head in a new direction.

In 2001 Curtis used his experience designing structures and vector analysis to design his own chassis. The Storm Chassis was born. The angle, bend and placement of each piece of tubing was analyzed to give the most efficiency. The new chassis offered greater structural stiffness through increased triangulation. The stronger and stiffer chassis allowed the car to go faster by allowing the car's suspension to do its job without wasting energy with chassis flex. In addition to strong and light the new car was easy to service. Instead of larger and complicated panels the body was made from smaller panels that could be easily removed for service or replacement. Not only is the car fast on the track, it is fast to get back on the track. The new car debuted July 2001 and drivers started winning right away and made their presence felt. The rest is history.

2001 Milestones:
Eastern Grands- Oaklane- PA:
Fast Time in Light 160
Track Records:
Heavy Stock at Wall, NJ
Sponsor Cups:
2 Wins Oaklane, PA

2002 Milestones:
Eastern Grands - Topeka, KS:
All 10 Storm cars qualified for the A-mains,
A- main wins: Light 160, Light Modified and Heavy 160.
Fast times Junior Honda and light 160

Region 2 States Race, Fulton, NY:
Wins in Junior Honda, and Light 160
World/Track Records:
Junior and Light 160 at Oaklane, PA
Junior Stock at Thompson, CT
Junior Honda at Topeka, KS

Sponsor Cups:
Junior Honda, Junior Stock and Light B-mod at Oaklane, PA
Silver City, CT
Thompson, CT

2003 Milestones:
Season Points Championships:
Senior Honda: Dylan Kadous, Topeka, KS
Heavy B: Spencer Taylor, New Smyrna, FL
Heavy 160: Spencer Taylor, Mid-Florida, FL
Heavy 160: Spencer Taylor, Region 13 Points Series
Junior Honda: Dylan Ames, Region 3 Points
Junior Honda: Dylan Ames, Music City, TN
Senior Honda: Matt Galko, Thompson, CT
Junior Stock: Tommy Barrett, Thompson, CT
Light Mod: Tommy Barrett, Thompson , CT

Western Grands - Puyallup, WA
Junior Honda Champion: Tommy Barrett
Heavy B Champion: Joey Emm (Hansen Power)
2nd place A-main: Senior Honda

Eastern Grands - Indianapolis, IN
Junior Honda Champion: Tommy Barrett
Junior Stock Champion: Tommy Barrett
3rd place A-main: Heavy Mod

Dirt Grands- Tere Haute, IN
Junior Honda Track Record: Kyle Recco
Heavy A Champion: Joey Emm (Hansen Power)
Heavy B Champion: Joey Emm (Hansen Power)
2nd place A-main: Junior Stock, Senior Honda, Senior Stock and Light 160

Lou Sherman Memorial - Thompson, CT (August 28th)
Junior Novice Track Record: Billy Barrett
Junior Honda Track Record: Tommy Kunsman
Junior Stock Track Record: Tommy Barrett
Senior Honda Track Record: Derek Ramstrom
Junior Honda A-main: Tommy Barrett
Junior Stock A-main: Tommy Kunsman
Senior Honda A-main: Matt Galko
Light Mod A-main: Tommy Barrett
Heavy A A-main: Joey Emm (Hansen Power)
Heavy B A-main: Joey Emm (Hansen Power)
(2nd place A-main finishes in Junior Stock, Senior Honda, Light Mod and Light B)


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