Since horsepower is additive, it's fairly accurate to say Ed's buggy has 260 ponies pushing it around. As mentioned, each engine drives one rear wheel. The engines spin at 8,500 rpm, with power going through Arctic Cat continuously variable transmissions and through modified Johnson snowmobile gear boxes. These Johnson gearboxes are used because they have reverse, a feature the Arctic Cat transmissions don't have. As mentioned, Ed has set up the two engines with a power proportioning system. It works via potentiometer coupled to the steering shaft. An onboard computer analyzes the steering angle and adjusts the speed of the engines with servos so the outside wheel in a turn spins faster than the inside wheel. This is done proportional to the angle of the turn, and in tight turns acts much like a turning brake. Ed has the option of disabling the power proportioning system if he wishes to have full power to both wheels all the time. The same computer also automatically shuts off the turn signal once the steering wheel returns to center.
You'll note that there are two analog tachometers as well as a dual bar-graph digital L.E.D. tach. The analog tachs are factory Arctic Cat units, centered on the hood for easy viewing while driving. The digital tach was designed by Ed and programmed by Tom Bacsanyi, featuring a 6-second memory that will play back engine rpm on each engine in 0.2 second intervals. This is useful during a hard pass or a race to make sure both engines are performing equally. And yes, Ed has run the sand drags in his buggy. For a full-size four-seater it ran a respectable 5.18-second pass at 62 mph.
The custom body panels are the result of much hand labor by Ed. First he carved the shapes out of Styrofoam, then laid carbon fiber over the Styrofoam molds. The headlights mounted in the hood are from a 2001 Bombardier golf cart, which are legal for street use in Michigan. Ed sprayed on the purple base coat and clear coat, the Chris Thacher Designs handled the graphics and lettering. Inside the buggy are four PRP high-back suspension seats in purple and black with Lime green piping. RIS five-point harnesses secure the occupants. The dash is also carbon fiber, designed and built by Ed to house the Auto Meter gauges, computer gauges, and a multitude of switches. A Garmin GPS 160 insures accurate navigation. For extended-range driving, Ed welded up a large 17 gallon aluminum fuel tank.
After 16 months of design and labor, Ed has created a truly unique family buggy. He now enjoys giving his wife Karrie, and children Jessica and Kyle, thrill rides though the Silver Lake sand dunes. Or with a quick switch of rear tires they can cruise the streets of Michigan looking for a fun trail to explore. And you can bet they'll be turning heads the whole time.
- From Sand Sports magazine (July/August 2002)