A revolutionary shape and approach, Nissan will support the 'Batman' DeltaWing, to be tested @ Le Mans- June 16 - 17!!
The radical aero/chassis configuration and turbocharged 4-cylinder will showcase pioneering technologies. Extreme solutions on aerodynamics & weight reduction created an unusual racing package. The Nissan team has well-seasoned partners - designer Ben Bowlby, motorsport icon/businessman Don Panoz, F1 legend Dan Gurney, championship team Highcroft Racing and Michelin Tires. Confirming drivers, Marino Franchitti & Micharl Krumm. Rulebook be damned AND burned! This should be a very interesting & historic attempt.
The 'Made in the USA' DeltaWing team has been in development since 2009 for the IndyCar Series. Chip Ganassi supported the initial development but chose a Dallara design instead. It has been picked up by Nissan for the 2012 24 Heures du Mans. The delta wing shape is so unique & so narrow it is looks like it would not work in the wildly changing dynamics of road racing. The engineering/design criteria targets are utmost aerodynamic efficiencies & lightest structural weight (Colin Chapman is fluttering his wings). Ben Bowlby wins Aerodynamicist of the Year award. Michelin designed & developed specialized performance tires. Only 4" wide x 15" front wheels! ALMS champion Highcroft Racing will manage the endurance race preparations.
But still, how will it turn?!!!
Last edited by botsapper; 03-13-2012 at 03:50 PM..
It's a shame the design wasn't chosen for IndyCar... but such a revolutionary design would have to prove itself before being let loose on the track.
From what I can tell from the literature (just finished writing a feature on this for another website), the center of gravity is far back between the rear tires. This means there's almost no load on the front tires.
While this ought to mean that turning will be difficult, 911s seem to turn all right with the engine and most of the weight slung out behind the back axle. Furthermore, the DeltaWing will be
The layout is incredible. The front tires are tiny, the front brakes are tiny, the front suspension looks like what you'd see on a bicycle. Dry weight is under 500 kgs, around 200 kgs less than what an unrestricted gasoline LMP2 would weigh and some 300-400 kgs less than the diesel LMP1s.
The big question is whether the low weight and low overall drag will balance out the lack of power down those looooong straights at LeMans.
While this ought to mean that turning will be difficult, 911s seem to turn all right with the engine and most of the weight slung out behind the back axle. Furthermore, the DeltaWing will be
On a 911, braking torque cause by the front wheels shifts the center of inertia to a 50/50 weight balance during hard braking (entering a turn).
They also have the weight in the back for traction for powering out of a turn.
I'll post the simple diagram illustrating this, which I recall - once I find it.
It's backwards, in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and stability.
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Cool! We'll see how it works. I like this class of Le Mans cars, and I hope they are the beginning of a new trend. They did this back in the 1960's with the Panhard LM64 -- that car only had a 1L 2 cylinder motor and could go ~155MPH. This car with a 1.6L should go at least that fast.
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