DeltaWing @ Petit Le Mans

http://www.alms.com/articles/nissan-deltawing-returns-racing-petit-le-mans

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jGoWnoEkkI[/ame]

I'm all for it and wish them the best.

 

I've heard rumors that the GA/ALMS merger will see LMPC cars replaced with Delta Wings as a spec chassis; not sure if it will be spec engines or open to various manufacturers.

 

Good. Better visual differentiation will improve the fan experience IMHO. Heck, while I'm not a hard-core fan I feel that I follow the series enough that I should be able tell the classes apart but that isn't always the case.

If it's good enough for Dan Gurney, it's good enough for me!

 

unlike you, I like pretty race cars. pretty girls too

and I'm tired of "spec prototypes"....LMPC, DP, now (potentially) Delta Wing...let the manufacturers go at it.

keep in mind that Gurney made this as well:
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Whutevar. You wouldn't know pretty if you took the time to sit down and simulated it!

 

go eat some gumbo

 

I accept your apology.

 

This would likely be the end of me watching that series. I like the idea of the DW as something different, as I think car racing should be the place to try new ideas/technologies. But a spec DW class has no appeal to me at all.

 

It won't be spec if they adopt the open source element of the original concept... and some of the key project players are still pushing for that.

 

even if it's open engine, it will still be spec chassis.

plus I only see 3 MFRs that are interested in prototypes in America right now (Mazda, Nissan, Honda), and I can't see them supporting multiple prototype classes. so if DW class is open engine spec, that means there won't be MFR support for another prototype class.

I think they need to stick with P2, merge the PC guys in there, and be done with it.

 

The 'open source' concept for the DeltaWing would mean everyone starts with the same chassis but is then free to modify/develop it however they want, subject to (a) safety review (b) making any new part available to all and (c) a price not to exceed that of the original component(s) being replaced.

So the original chassis would be a common ancestor from which evolution could proceed along any number of paths (apologies to any creationists out there).

 

will they be able to widen the front track and put proper bodywork and engines in it?

 

Yep, the car as is has full front suspension each side, so a conventional-width front track would be no problem, except that it would have to be built to the same price as the narrow-track components. Bodywork and engine would likewise be free, although there was talk of restricting the engine configuration to an I-4 turbo – not to be dissed out of hand by anyone old enough to remember the BMW F1 engines of the 1980s.

 

Disclaimer: I've followed current-style endurance racing since 1983 and had a more than passing interest in it for 10+ years before that.

I can't seem to get excited about the DW at all. I studied all the stuff in the press releases from Highcroft all through development, I read everything in "Racer" when they featured it, I looked at it when the opportunity presented itself. I just can't seem to care about it at all. Does absolutely nothing for me as an enthusiast whatsoever. Kind of wish it would just fade away already like that damned Abruzzi that was supposed to set the world on fire. <yawn>

Another class based on the DW? No thanks. I'll not be watching it.

 

I think it's a fascinating technical exercise but I have little desire to watch a grid full of them pounding around.

 

Looking forward to seeing them in person at RA.

 

fixed it for you

 

i will be at the petite. the delta wing will be novel for about 1 practice session. i am not a fan of ugly race cars.

that said...the daytona prototypes may still keep the title for ugly!

 

i'm surprised at the amount of backing it got, teachnically it was/is in some aspects, but overall is flawed as a competative racer IMO

 

I started that controversial thread about "Delta Wing Projections" by stating that there isn't a bigger fan of Dan Gurney that me. In that spirit, I say bring it on! But a spec series of DW's or anything else (such as Indycar) is of very minimal interest to me. Watching innovative concepts go against proven winners is, to me, a huge part of following racing.

 

ding ding ding we have a winner.

most particularly true in prototype sports car racing.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwpBYK41Tbw[/ame]