While watching Speed's Wind Tunnel last night Dave Dispain was talking to Tommy Kendall. The subject of the Delta Wing came up. Tommy thought it was interesting but thinks that it will get in a few wrecks. Drivers will try to fit the note in a hole to pass and forget how wide the rear is, clipping the wings, so to speak.
Page 11 of 14
-
-
OK let's just suppose that it finishes the race and does a decent job doing it, where will it race next? If it indeed does have some sort of rear or all wheel steering system, what series would allow it?
Maybe Panoz can make a class for it in ALMS.....? -
-
-
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
I like the look of the black car but they may decide at least the rear half needs to be as bright and visible as possible. -
It's wonderful to see a racing car designed to achieve more with radically less - Colin Chapman would be jealous.
My concern is over aerodynamics at high speed. I can see the low drag part working fine, but it looks to me like the centre of lateral pressure will be in about the same place as on a conventional race car, but the centre of gravity appears to be much further back than usual.
This came up when discussing aero stability with my neighbour who has done the popular swap of a Subaru Legacy flat-four into his water-cooled VW Transporter (bus) and found that high speed stability has been compromised. Same issue - side profile unchanged but centre of gravity has moved back. -
They did say it is very sensitve to exactly where the weight is located....
-
Deltawing only 6.5+ seconds off fastest LMP2 time.
Test Day Combined Times
It needs to run with its own to have a chance. And this is at a track that emphasizes it strength - straight line speed. -
Some video
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUBwNu_AY8I&hd=1]Nissan DeltaWing debuts on test day at the Le Mans 24 Hour - YouTube[/ame] -
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
Marino Franchitti says DeltaWing potential still untapped ahead of Le Mans (AutoSport.com)
-
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
Le Mans spotter guides available for download here. Yes, the DeltaWing is included.
-
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
The DeltaWing passed scrutineering today. That's a little confusing to me since it doesn't comply with the criteria for any current class. "Hmmm, which rules shall we attempt to apply? Let's have a few from this class and a few from that class..." I'm sure it's really all about safety standards.
-
I thought the DeltaWing was "hors classement" (outside classification) and is not fitting in any set of rules - isn't it running with number '0'? So scrutineering would be about safety issues plus some general rules for the 24 Heures - it must have space (not an actual seat) for a passenger, for example.
-
A very small passenger at that!
-
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
Pics from today:
Note the cradle/dolly for the front axle. Why do you suppose they need that if the front wheels are functional?
http://www.deltawingracing.com/picture/2012-06-11%20at%2009-34-27.jpg?pictureId=15098262
Here ya go.
http://www.deltawingracing.com/picture/2012-06-11%20at%2010-03-50.jpg?pictureId=15098248 -
Minidave Well-Known MemberLifetime Supporter
Nought but Red Exxes, lad!
-
deltawing - Images - Nissan DeltaWing Tech Inspection
deltawing - Images - Le Mans Preparations -
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
FWIW, the pics I was pointing to are at the first link. The interesting one (to me) is the shot of the car up on a scissor lift. Without that full front axle cradle/dolly the front of the car would stay on the ground because the narrow nose fits between the lift rails. :biggrin5: -
Turned them into links, the Deltawing folks don't like it when you try to pull their images and place them on other sites.
-
Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
Anyone still interested just follow the links in rkw's post.
Page 11 of 14