Deltawing

[Robinho]

I know there is a thread in Indycar also, but seeing as its planned to run at Le Mans this year, i thought this article and video were pretty interesting, looks like it has some ability to go round corners, and its got to be blistering in a straight line (300HP shaped like a bullet and only 475kg)

Nissan to supply engine for DeltaWing Le Mans car - Le Mans news - AUTOSPORT.com

[BDunnell]

I think it's impossible to comment much further until we've seen the first times from Le Mans. I think it's utterly fantastic to see something so different — this is very rare indeed nowadays — and those behind it have the pedigree. I have the highest regard for Dan Gurney in particular. But will it work at Le Mans? We'll see.

[FIAT1]

How to find out if we don't try...i said that! Keep on climbing!!!!

[Robinho]

I think if its going to work anywhere it'll be Le Mans, it may struggle at a more conventional circuit with a lot of high downforce high speed turns, but I for one remain firmly open to the concept and hope they can make it work

[Rollo]

But will it work at Le Mans? We'll see.

I don't think that there's a concept problem but one with power. Only 300bhp?

Newtonian physics says that KE=1/2MV² - If M is constant, then the only way to go faster and faster is to use more and more power. I just don't think you can drive a car to Le Mans speeds anymore with 300bhp. I think that you have to go back to about 1962 to make 300bhp adequate.

[F1boat]

It will be interesting and because it is outside the official classification of the event, there would be no pressure. Just a cool car making laps in one of the greatest series in the world.

[AndyRAC]

And that is why Sportscars are fantastic - a bit of 'outside thinking' is welcomed. Whether it proves to be competitive is another matter, but here's hoping.

[wedge]

I think it's impossible to comment much further until we've seen the first times from Le Mans. I think it's utterly fantastic to see something so different — this is very rare indeed nowadays — and those behind it have the pedigree.

It's too much of a gimmick. Its original intention was for Indycars and their design brief for a next generation car called for gimmicky designs to create more interest in the series.

Personally I don't think it will 'succeed'. The evolution of racecar design has shown that its a machine more for straightlines than corners. However I'm not an engineer and completely agree with your first point.

One thing I do applaud is that we have a race car intended for a top level championship that is not reliant on aerofoils for downforce.

[FIAT1]

Nissan's revolutionary DeltaWing race car hits the track at Le Mans in video - Autoweek

[Nem14]

The DeltaWing car's fastest lap yesterday was reported as 3:47.980. AutoRacing1.com - Hot News Page

The Circuit des 24 Heures lap record, apparently set by an LMP1 car in 2010, is listed as 3:19.074 Circuit de la Sarthe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia