Predator Performance was founded in 2003 by life-long automobile enthusiast Dennis Raybuck. Located in Pennsylvania, in a 39,000 sq ft state of the art facility, they are equipped with the latest automotive technology such as CNC machines, chassis and engine dyno's, paint booths, and a wheel alignment machine. They specialize in customizing vehicles and their capabilities range from simple modifications to building a complete car from scratch.

      George Bennett, a mechanical engineer, had been working with Dennis on another project when they started talking about Glamis and the many long travel cars seen at the dunes. They decided to build their own unique sand/off-road cars. George would design the cars, they would be built at Predator Performance in Pennsylvania, and George would service and sell them in his new shop located in Corona, CA. Since then they have built 2 sand cars which have undergone extensive test and development. The 1^st car was the 'Puma' and the 2^nd car is the 'Wildcat'.

      While we will be discussing their Wildcat car in this article, we will tell you a little about the Puma. The chassis is made from 1.75? 4130 moly tubing which has been mig welded. The drive-train features a 430HP Ford 5.0L fuel injected Cammer (1 of 5 that Ford has built) engine mated to a Mendola MD4S sequential transmission. For suspension they used the massive Bilstein Blackhawk shocks and have 18.9" of front travel with 19.4" of rear travel.

      Predator Performance's most recent design is their WildCat, which uses the Bilstein Blackhawk shocks. With the Wildcat's unique 'CrossFire' front suspension it?s hard to miss this car in the dunes. The front suspension was designed in conjunction with Applied Technologies Inc. out of Toledo, OH and is Predator's exclusive cross mounted cantilever design.

      It's a very unique design that offers 24" of travel and a superb ride. When asked why they went with this design George says that with them being new to the sand car market they wanted to think outside the box and try something different that would make them stand out over the other builders. George says he took a close look at the Indy Race cars as well as the way ATV and motorcycle rear shocks sit in the chassis (both in a more laid down position). The rear suspension also features a unique 'truss' arm design which moves the pivot point of the rear suspension more towards the center of the car which is similar to a trophy truck design.

      The chassis of the WildCat is built with the same materials used on their Puma car and features an easily removable engine compartment. The rear section of the chassis unbolts and the engine and engine cage is easily removed as one piece. The WildCat has a very roomy interior, has a 120" wheel base and weighs in at 2500 pounds.

      Powering the WildCat is a 430HP LS6 mated to a Mendeola MD4S sequential transmission. Getting power to the wheels are 934 high angle CV joints with gun drilled 1.5" 300M axles. The disk brakes and 4-piston calipers are from Kar-tek along with the 934 mid-board hubs.

      Topping off the WildCat is a 30 gallon fuel cell, HID lights mounted in an adjustable rack, Beard seats with Crow harnesses, leather lined side panels, and 33? rear paddle tires mounted on Douglas bead lock rims. 

      While we had a very limited time in the car we did notice that it rode smooth even through the worst of conditions. The front CrossFire suspension soaks up the biggest of whoops and provides a stable ride at any speed.

Contact Information:

George Bennett
www.predatorperformance.com
Office- 951-735-4418
Cell- 951-454-0038