163 replies to this topic

[bbr]

the car is so cool, such a different approach to current racing cars

[Rapid Rick]

On Friday with support from Dan Gurney's guys the LMP Delta Wing pictured made two laps at Sebring. I don't remember who was driving but they were very animated about the cars ability to turn. It looked a lot slower than the GT and Lemans cars I had been watching in testing since February, and slower as well than the INDY Cars during last weeks testing...but it was neat to watch.

I'm a skeptic as well... but with rear-steer and camber...combined with the many chassis techniques available/used today on Dirt or Asphalt (or Cement) we are able to watch amazing speeds on all types of curcuits.

It doesn't look like a road racing car to me...but I'm looking forward to seeing how it runs at Lemans in June.

[TSR]

Rick,
The laps were "demo" laps and were in no way supposed to establish any speed records. it was simply to show the car to spectators.

[Rapid Rick]

On Friday at Sebring, with support from Dan Gurney's Guys, the Delta Wing LMP car made two laps at Sebring. After watching INDY Cars and GT's since January at the track the car looked slow. The driver though, who I don't recall was very animated about the cars turning ability.

I'm a skeptic as well..and think it looks goofy for a Road Racing "vehicle". But I have learned that todays technologies can do amazing things. With Camber and Rear-Steer it will most likely turn-well. I'm amazed at how cars handle on Dirt, Asphalt or Cement...for that matter.

It will be interesting in June at Lemans when "The Car" is On-Track with other Hybrid's and Competition Cars. I'll be watching again.....RRR

[chaparrAL]

Man! sure seems to have a wide rear track.
I think it could be made to steer quite well by manipulating the diff or rear brakes.

[TSR]

No need, the steering and the front wheels are there for that.

[TSR]

Darn, that thing loves the rain too!

And no windshield wipers were harmed during the test.

[Tex]

Can't WAIT to see it racing "in anger"! Hope it at least finishes.

[TSR]

Latest: CLICK HERE.

Looks like Nissan got their boy in...

[MG Brown]

Looks like Nissan got their boy in...

I am sure most observers were expecting something such as this would come about.

I'm somewhat curious why Toyota didnt become involved- given their past association with AAR. Too busy conquering NASCAB I imagine?

[TSR]

No, too busy with their own LMP1 program!
Why would they need TWO different vehicles, when they can't even get their own program going.
Nissan sponsors the Deltawing but it is not really a Nissan motor either, but a specially built unit by a British specialized firm.

[Grant G.]

Is Toyota still planning on being at Lemans this year? The lastest reports I could find are from back in January.

I was reading one of Carroll Smith's books recently and he had dedicated it to Phil Remington. After doing a little bit of research about Phil I found it incredible that he is still a master craftsman working with Dan Gurney's AAR team at the age of 90! Phil was one of the fellows that made the Ford GTs so successful at Lemans in the early years.

[TSR]

Toyota is indeed panning to run their new LMP at Le Mans. They were supposed to run it at Spa, but Nicolas Lapierre kind of demolished the first car in testing at Paul Ricard and the tub was too damaged to repair that car, so they postponed their debut to June.

[Tex]

No pressure there... debuting a new car the same month as the race. LOL

Bon Chance to them.

AND AAR Delta Wing!

[Arne Saknussem]

http://p.twimg.com/AsYr3seCAAE9Tm8.jpg

[TSR]

Hi Pete,
You could also add this one:



But neither the Brabham or the Eagle above are 3-wheelers...

[MG Brown]

Interesting new development.... http://auto-racing.s...ights-proposal/

[MG Brown]

More news as the DeltaWing prepares to run Petit Le Mans later this month.

http://www.alms.com/...6?fullsite=true

Customer cars for 2013? Wow.

[TSR]

In fact the low cost of both purchasing the car and especially running it (bullet-proof engine, 1/2 the fuel, 1/4 of the tires for the same performance) make it an ideal candidate for teams running P2 at this time, or GT teams wanting to move one step up. A brilliant vehicle that has now amply proven the value of its concept.

[tonyp]

Quick question, when it steers do th effrontery tires lean over like a motor cycle or stay up right. I never though it would work at all, but it does so that is pretty damn cool.

It is not ugly as much as alien. Just doesn't look like what we accept as a car. But the more it runs the better it will look, kinda of like f1's they are ugly but you eventually get used to them.

[MG Brown]

Tony: this is the best illustration that I could find of how the DeltaWing turns.



Unfortunately this is from the earlier single seater but I believe the overall concept is nearly identical.

[tonyp]

Interesting. Looks like they tilt a little or have lots of caster.

[TSR]

Quick question, when it steers do th effrontery tires lean over like a motor cycle or stay up right. I never though it would work at all, but it does so that is pretty damn cool.

It is not ugly as much as alien. Just doesn't look like what we accept as a car. But the more it runs the better it will look, kinda of like f1's they are ugly but you eventually get used to them.

Tony,
All the weight is just forward of the rear axle. There is very little up front. The front twin wheels steer just like a regular car, staying vertical, but because there is little weight over them, the car at first steered... too well and they had to reduce the steering ratio to soften it. The car does not know what under-steer is, it just goes where it is pointed. There was concern that the lack of conventional "wheel in each corner" would render driving in traffic difficult but it simply is not the case. The car simply drives like a normal car, only with much greater efficiency. It is a more logical solution to the question of being as efficient as possible with the least amount of energy expanded.

it might look ugly to some but as you point out, look at modern F1 and I cannot think of something uglier.

[tonyp]

I bet the hardest part of driving it in traffic is remembering that if you can get the nose into a hole there is not enough room for the back. Some of the new F1 aces would be deadly driving it.

[TSR]

So far it has not been an issue in traffic, with all the drivers saying that there was no problem.