The Le Mans General Discussion Thread

[Blaze_409]

I think its the opposite issue. With all the weight at the rear that car would have catastropic oversteer the second you turn the steering wheel anywhere but straight. Supposedly you can use trick differentials to cure that however. but then that realies o nteh rear tires having grip....if it ever rained they would have to park this car...

 

[Cowboys965]

I'm actually rooting for the DeltaWing. I thinks it's being built-in Danbury which is close to where I live.

Is it an LMP1?

 

[Northstar]

Is it an LMP1?

It's in it's own class since it doesn't fit any class regulations.

 

[Cowboys965]

It's in it's own class since it doesn't fit any class regulations.

Then... What's the point?

 

[Prince.M5]

Then... What's the point?

The radical design of the DeltaWing is meant to attract leading technology companies back to motorsport to investigate on new ideas to tackle fuel efficiency, and thus to gain attention from the public into the sport.

I think this is the point... Provided by RACECAR.

 

[Northstar]

Then... What's the point?

Prove that it actually works is my guess, ever since their bid for it being the new IndyCar people have doubted it's ability(including me).

On a related note, any word on an engine partner yet?

 

[Stavelot]

Garage 56 is or new and innovative technology, nothing of which the DeltaDick has....the GreenGT and Creation (I think) entries that are on reserve are using new technology yet aren't getting a look in. Makes me think Don Panoz struck a deal with the ACO to let the phallus run in return for losing PLM from the WEC....

 

[nitrorocks]

Garage 56 is or new and innovative technology, nothing of which the DeltaDick has....the GreenGT and Creation (I think) entries that are on reserve are using new technology yet aren't getting a look in. Makes me think Don Panoz struck a deal with the ACO to let the phallus run in return for losing PLM from the WEC....

Lol +1000 I was goin to say that too

 

[Stavelot]

You don't need to quote the post directly above yours all the time you know...

 

[Northstar]

Garage 56 is or new and innovative technology, nothing of which the DeltaDick has....the GreenGT and Creation (I think) entries that are on reserve are using new technology yet aren't getting a look in.

1) As much as I dislike the DeltaWing, new technology isn't limited to powerplants.

2) It's very likely that the ACO wanted to go with a safer bet, it wouldn't be very interesting if an extremely experimental car like the GreenGT(In Hydrogen form) didn't even run very long.

Makes me think Don Panoz struck a deal with the ACO to let the phallus run in return for losing PLM from the WEC....

I doubt this theory since the DeltaWing going to LeMans was announced about the same time as the WEC was, guessing they didn't know the schedule at that point.

 

[Stavelot]

It's got nothing new and nothing that hasn't been done before other than being shaped like a big penis and balls....

 

[nitrorocks]

You don't need to quote the post directly above yours all the time you know...

That's what the delta wing is!

 

[Northstar]

It's got nothing new and nothing that hasn't been done before other than being shaped like a big penis and balls....

I have never seen a car with a similar aerodynamic design, perhaps you can enlighten me.

Frankly, I doubt the GreenGT would have done anything either, Hydrogen isn't a well developed form for fuel yet, I doubt the car would have made it to the Dunlop Bridge on the warm up lap before breaking down. Perhaps if they actually get a hydrogen model running they could get the spot in '13, from what I've seen though it's nothing but sketches.

 

[Blaze_409]

What new innovation has the deltawing bought? ALL it is a really light race car with a normal gasoline engine......Nothing special about that. Nothing innovative either....I think its widely known that less weight means better fuel efficieny.

The GreenGT however is absolutely innovative. Its hydrogen powered and thats all that needs to be said lol.

 

[Tesla]

It's got nothing new and nothing that hasn't been done before other than being shaped like a big penis and balls....

How mature of you It's nice to see something that challenges the tried and tested typical race car shape. Might bring about new ways of designing cars.

 

[Blaze_409]

How mature of you It's nice to see something that challenges the tried and tested typical race car shape. Might bring about new ways of designing cars.

Stavelot has good point!
That's the problem. The deltawin is irrelevant in every way. You cannot build an LMP1 car to deltawing specifications, You cannot build a LMP2 car to deltawing specs. The car is illegal in all classes. In addition the Deltawing aside from the odd shape is extremely conventional. Petrol engine (...zzzzz).

What new way of design could the delta wing possibly bring? Manufactures are already making cars lighter, adding carbonfiber, downsizing engines etc....The deltawing was not even meant for Le Mans.....Its was meant for Indy cars. If they had gotten the indy car contract instead of dallara then then this project for the "56th" spot would not exist!

It has zero shot at win Le Mans let alone finishing the race. A car that light is probably lacking the sturdiness to even be reliable over 24 hours.

 

[Prince.M5]

DeltaWing or whatever you guys are calling it is trying to gain people's attention to get into their class, perhaps because it's cheaper to run? How interested I am to see the car running and how will it do, it still wouldn't erase the fact that I really hate the design of the car. The ability of the car to turn is still questionable, it might turn or it might not turn at all...

I don't see any manufacturers would want to join DeltaWing in their class because.. Well, it resembles nothing to any car in this world other than a really weird design. I don't know what technology from that car can be taken into road cars. The shape itself, I don't think it will end up in a showroom!

It just doesn't make sense. I will be very amazed if that thing is faster than a GT car.

 

[FoolKiller]

It is supposed to be about the aerodynamics. I'm curious about the handling. They claim that the way the downforce and aerodynamics work creates a more stable handling. If it works it definitely won't be the design we see at home, but various design characteristics may be integrated.

I am glad to see that innovation other than alternative fuels is being given a shot. There is a lot about a car that can be improved outside the powerhouse, but that is where the focus is.

 

[hawkeye122]

I seriously think it will become debris, the way the front wheels are aligned... It's going to have to take the Worlds Longest Line(s) starting at the Indianapolis turn until it gets back to Mulsanne. I mean, the way the front is lined up with the back makes it look like it can't turn at all.

 

[Stavelot]

It can turn...it has even more steering lock than most sportscars and GTs as it was designed to get around Long Beach. The problem is underbody aerodynamics have been used before and are nothing new, lightweight and low power (LMP675, anyone remember that?) are nothing new either and neither is a petrol engine (Briggs & Straton supplied if I am to believe those I talk to...).

I just hope the damn things craps out on the first lap, especially right in front of me so I can video its demise and failure because yes, I do dislike it that much.

 

[FoolKiller]

It can turn...it has even more steering lock than most sportscars and GTs as it was designed to get around Long Beach. The problem is underbody aerodynamics have been used before and are nothing new, lightweight and low power (LMP675, anyone remember that?) are nothing new either and neither is a petrol engine (Briggs & Straton supplied if I am to believe those I talk to...).

I just hope the damn things craps out on the first lap, especially right in front of me so I can video its demise and failure because yes, I do dislike it that much.

Why so angry? You would think you designed a car that didn't get in because of this, with your colorful language and all.

 

[RACECAR]

I also would like to know the reason behind the overreactive rage I see for it.

 

[Stavelot]

This thing is just an absolute lie (innovative technology my arse) along with a quick money grab (Highcroft, AAR and DeltaWing getting money from Panoz) and it's taking up a grid position that should be given to a car more deserving...

 

[Hun200kmh]

oooohhhhh such anger .... time for me to show my support I guess

Being an Highcroft fan for a long time now I was as delighted as one can be with their performance with the LMP1 HPD last year at Sebring (nothing short of stellar, keeping the car in the lead lap for 12 hours and taking well deserved advantage of others troubles while doing themselves a flawless race).

And their plan was to return to Le Mans that year, just listen to Pagenaud (from 1:40, very funny) saying he had to be watch out for Brabham/Franchiti in this great - as ever, coming from Highcroft - video, one that I never get tired to watch:


(notice the "sponsorless" - apart from Michelin - livery of the car)

So, I was as dissapointed as anyone can be when I heard the news that Highcroft would not keep using this fantastic LMP1 car and would not come to Le Mans.

When I first read about the DeltaWing I sure didn't think this was what I'd like Highcroft to be doing. But if that's the way for them to keep on doing what they like, why not?

And two things.
Performance Aim = LMP1
Innovation --> not in the energy supply, but in the structural and aerodynamic design of the car.

In my view, of course there's innovation in that car and it fully deserves the 56th garage the ACO decided to give this project. Remember, the aim is to achieve LMP1 performance with half the power and half the fuel consumption. Keep this as your objective and draw whatever you want ... nice and easy uh?

 

[Blaze_409]

Breaking news......Apparently the Deltawing is a hybrid ( using some kind of Flybrid system)

also just realized this car does not have a rear wing.....
Those ground effects better work. Do ground effects work in the rain....Did the chapparal ever run in the rain with the fans on?

 

[Hun200kmh]

That's interesting to know Blaze. Source?

 

[Blaze_409]

That's interesting to know Blaze. Source?

Just go to aco website at lemans.org. It's the headline. I would post link but I'm on my phone and don't know how

edit:http://www.lemans.org/fr/actualites/A_crop_of_awards_for_DeltaWing_6025.html

 

[Hun200kmh]

That's interesting ... but I find it all too good to be true, the DeltaWing getting ALL the 3 main awards from this year's RACE TECH Symposium. (aero, engine, hybrid system).

 

[Stavelot]

Really only gets it because no-one else came up with anything like it....

Give me 20million and I can design a racer that looks like a conventional closed top P1, weighs half as much, goes the distance and uses half as much fuel whilst running a high downforce/low drag setup.

 

[Blaze_409]

It just occured to me that there will be 3 HPD entries at the 12H Sebring!. That should give them plenty of setup data. I hope they can be quick! Awesome driver lineups.
Luhr-Graf-(TBA)Pickett?
Chandhok-Brabham-Dumbreck-
Watts-Kane-(TBA)Leventis?(argh i hope he keeps it on track)

JRM lineup has no weakness. Seems like it will be the highset finisher given good reliablity and no incidents (unless Luhr and Graf run a two man squad for the 12 hour). At this level of competition with the likes of Audi, Pickett and Leventis will be liabilities. I trust Greg more than Leventis however. Greg Pickett is safe hands. He'll bring the car back to the pits. It's Leventis, Im not sure about.