Rather than retrofitting an R1 motor into an existing Rhino chassis, Lonestar decided to build a fully custom machine using nothing but a stock 2006 Rhino frame's rails and suspension mounts as specified in the rule book. The rest was replaced by TIG-welded 4130 tubing and plate, then reinforced using the LSR race chassis gusset kit. At its core, the Lonestar SR1 Rhino is still based on the original Rhino, you just have to look really, really deep to see the similarities. The rule book also dictates the engine location be based on the Weller Racing SR1 engine mounting kit, which LSR adhered to, but outside of that, the machine has literally been designed around the driver. In order to optimize the driving experience the seat placement would have to be perfect. Once placed the chassis was built around the seats with a focus on keeping everything narrow with as low a center of gravity as possible. With the lower portion of the chassis complete, attention turned to steering where a Unisteer power steering box and a Rackzilla rack and pinion were mated to Coleman's 2:1 steering quickener. An NRG steering wheel and quick-release rounded out the steering components, followed by a Jaz Products fuel cell, a Honda Civic radiator and fan, an LSR radiator shroud and a Derale oil cooler, which finished out the lower half of the chassis. The upper part of the chassis was rendered with the help of state-of-the-art 3-D modeling software and transformed into a reality in the Lonestar fabrication shop. The chassis was finished out with Lonestar front and rear bumpers and nerf bars. The end result is a somewhat Porsche-looking machine comprised of large-radius bends on the main tubing and sleek lines everywhere else. As far as creating a machine that stands out, Lonestar hit a home run.
With the chassis virtually complete, attention again focused on the driver's compartment. To help remedy the somewhat cramped feel and increase accessibility, Frantz 86'ed the seat mounting system replacing it with a custom-built spring-loaded locking system, which makes removal of the cumbersome JetTrim XHC suspension seats a breeze. Speaking of the seats, outside of looking great, the XHCs couldn't be any more comfortable and literally hold you in place when combined with the Simpson 3-inch five-point harnesses. LOORRS rules require the driver to be separated from fuel, engine fluids and acids, so an aluminum firewall from SuperDuty-HQ was installed along with a custom engine cover designed by LSR. LSR also fabricated a custom dash that houses the stock R1 gauges and a custom shifter. A Willwood brake and clutch pedal assembly was then installed to accommodate the manual clutch of the R1 motor and a CNC throttle pedal with LSR return hook used to comply with LOORRS standards. When seated in the actual cockpit it's obvious the machine was engineered with driver comfort in mind; everything is easily within reach and accessible. The R1 Rhino uses black Fullbore Innovations bodywork as well as custom aluminum side and roof panels by SuperDuty-HQ and aluminum rear fender panels by LSR. The Fullbore's wide bodylines make any machine look great, and they make the pearlescent Kryptonite green powdercoated custom roll cage and chassis of the R1 look especially trick.
In order to keep the R1 class affordable, LOORRS rules state that a stock motor must be used, which makes a lot of sense since stock is 160 freaking horsepower. A stock 2008 engine, intake and clutch were installed and mated to a Muzzy's/LSR exhaust system. Fuel is sent to the engine via Weller Racing's pump and regulator kit and a Dynojet PCIII fuel programmer which works with the stock R1 ECU in order to keep the motor running at peak levels. Weller Racing was also tapped for CV joints, the rear drive, chain and axles which when combined effectively transfer all of that power to the ground.