RE: DeltaWing To Race Le Mans In 2012

[muthaducka]

Very interesting. Whether the design is supposed to raise a few eyebrows, publicity I don't know but it looks cool. Imagine seeing that on track in the next couple of years, that would be awesome.

Talk about rear wheel steering. I wonder what the advantages are supposed to be having the narrow front. Maybe to focus all the weight transfer and energy at the back. It's either going to be monumental and clear up or fall flat (third option, go no further than design stage).

[the fury]

Looks intriguing, already looking forward to seeing that mad contraption next year!

[ajprice]

First thought - Robin Reliant around the corners.
Second thought - Why don't they put the narrow track at the rear like the Peugeot 20cup and EX1?

[V8 GRF]

Galileo said:

Instinct tells me that it will be very unstable in cross-winds and high speed corners.
I'm willing to bet that the project gets pulled when it gets to the wind tunnel.

So why are the current crop of Le-mans cars running a not too dissimilar, in fact with a larger area, great big shark fin to prevent unstability?

[Galileo]

It's got no front weight and no front down force. What the hell do they think it's going to do when it hits a high spot going down the Mulsanne flat out? Or a slight side wind, or turbulence from another car? (I bet Malcolm Campbell could have told them)

[marcosgt]

My first thought?

Ben Bowlby's a genius.

Anyone else remember the programme the Beeb did on him building a Suzuki SC1000 Special Saloon whilst at University?

A few months after it aired he was at Thruxton and we talked with him for some time about the car, powered by a motorcycle engine (maybe more than one?) which was extremely unusual back then.

He went on to design cars for Lola and from what I know of him, the issues that people are raising here will have been thought through and addressed.

Will be great to see something so radical, I wish it and Ben all success. I might even have to go next year!

M

[ajprice]

Galileo said:

It's got no front weight and no front down force. What the hell do they think it's going to do when it hits a high spot going down the Mulsanne flat out? Or a slight side wind, or turbulence from another car? (I bet Malcolm Campbell could have told them)

or Mark Webber

[Nobby Diesel]

Some very experienced and influencial people involved in this.
It looks bonkers unstable to me, but maybe they know better.

[hornet]

Was following this over on an Indycar forum a while back. Certainly an interesting looking thing. Looks more like a futuristic dragster than a circuit racer, but will be interesting to see how/if it progresses.

[300bhp/ton]

the fury said:

Looks intriguing, already looking forward to seeing that mad contraption next year!

Me too. Or sooner as I presume they'll need to field test it first. However I'll believe it when I see it. That vid only showed people an an office and some computer screens.

[Galileo]

V8 GRF said:

Galileo said:

Instinct tells me that it will be very unstable in cross-winds and high speed corners.
I'm willing to bet that the project gets pulled when it gets to the wind tunnel.

So why are the current crop of Le-mans cars running a not too dissimilar, in fact with a larger area, great big shark fin to prevent unstability?

The current crop are also running front down force and a nearer 50-50 weight distribution. I just think that a long thing like that with no front aero, and all the weight at the back is going to want to take-off at high speed. That will make it very light at the front meaning it will react to every bump and gust of wind, making it unpredictable to drive at high speed. I'll stick with my prediction that it doesn't make it past the wind tunnel.

[anonymous-user]

Snoggledog said:

As much as I like the idea and wish them well I keep on thinking of this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQh56geU0X8

Reminded me more of this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFQu2HgDTwQ

[anniesdad]

Is it wrong to love another man/men?! Maybe I should just say in my best American accent "I Love these guys!".

I really hope they get this project off the ground (err. no pun intended) and work around all the inherent design flaws for competing in such a hostile environment as Le Mans. I wonder how it will stand up to front/side impact and if broadsided whether it would just spear off into the scenery?

I'm going to have to make my first visit back to LM since 2005, if this thing is going to be there.

[Galileo]

300bhp/ton said:

the fury said:

Looks intriguing, already looking forward to seeing that mad contraption next year!

Me too. Or sooner as I presume they'll need to field test it first. However I'll believe it when I see it. That vid only showed people in an office and some computer screens.

Is anyone else thinking USF1?

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes but how would it do around the TT course?

[Streetrod]

I think Craig Breedlove got there first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZO12xkvU2M

[V8 GRF]

Galileo said:

I'll stick with my prediction that it doesn't make it past the wind tunnel.

Maybe you should visit the link given in the article and read the presentations before you start commenting...

http://deltawingracing.com/

[ajprice]

Galileo said:

Is anyone else thinking USF1?

Worst case: USF1
Slightly less worse case: Virgin Racing

[mister.t]

Don't feel so bad about missing it this year now!

[Yoff]

seems a bit like this... http://www.vigillante.com/topgear.htm