Why is not Bowlby involved anymore? That's strange; it was his design, and there are not many designers who can continue his vision.
Not sure, but the Delta Wing is still featured prominently on Dan Gurney's AAR site. I'm not a fan of this thing, but I think Dan Gurney is awesome, so I'm rooting for it to work out...just can't see it happening though...it's too weird.
Hate to sound cynical but I thought the whole point of this car was to be small, light weight and low powered. Doesn't seem that worked out to well. As one commentator put it: "Just because it's different doesn't mean it doesn't suck."
I find it odd that Panoz, after selling off all his motor sports assets - including Elan if I'm not mistaken (which absorbed Van Diemen) - would continue with this. What's the point? He had the Panoz Auto and that's gone as well, no? Just strange - I read an interview where he stated he missed Sebring and RA already...so why mess around with this thing???
Don plans to put a carbon fiber engine in the sucker. Anybody remember the Polimotor from the 80's? Same guy is now working with Don on new variation of engine. Most likely a variation of a Duratech 4 banger. Elan has lots of time with those.
Panoz asked Nissan and Michelin for way too much, offered Bowlby (and his long-suffering design team) way too little, and sidelined Gurney and RML as rival constructors.
In fact, the DW ran fast and faultlessly at Petit Le Mans and would have been on the overall podium had it received the same wave-throughs under yellow as all the other LMPs (check the lap chart if you don't believe it).
This Friday, DeltaWing set to unveil coupe version of experimental car - Le Mans news - AUTOSPORT.com
When I was at Petit LeMans last season I spent alot of time with the car & team... especially after the Green Hornet Porsche punted it off the track during practice. After essentially a complete rebuild, it still managed a P5 overall finish. That version of the car was blistering fast and it was comical how the nay-sayers would come over and pitch in their 2 cents on how the car sucks and is slow, would roll over like thier dog & etc and walk away... even while it was outrunning the very cars they were running. It's performance was far from disappointing. Jonny O'Connell drove both versions at Road Atalnta and his feedback comparing the 'new' to 'old' wing would be interesting to hear. Looking at the times from yesterday's practice, it wasn't too impressive but I hope they pick the pace. These I took following the rebuild at Petit during a practice session and the other was around 5am while it was going back together... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
After watching or recording the entire 24 hours of Lemans the wing appeared to be a moving chicane. Mostly it looked very unstable under hard braking and seemed to be in the way while braking and cornering. Fortunately it was bunted off to the relief of serious competitors. A special rule should be created for that "special" car that forbids it from using the normal racing line when being closed upon by regular competition. A special stay out of the way rule. 1'st time stop and go. 2'nd time permanent black flag. GTS Bruce
When Jonny drove it during the prelude to Petit in Oct, he was pretty just off the pace of competitve laptimes....and that was jumping in the car cold-feet. His feedback was very positive and felt confidence in its handing. It looks unstable but the numbers & performance prove the design. From an engeering standpoint the car is very exciting to look at
And it continues to be a joke at Sebring. Project was cool at first thought IMO but quickly became a cheesy marketing attempt.
