I think this is what some folks expected to see when the DeltaWing hit the track. Short story at Jalopnik: High Horsepower Drag Car Attempts To Navigate Road Course And Fails Miserably [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWhilacxpvg]Leadfoot Festival - YouTube[/ame]
Those short wheelbase altered dragsters have a hard time with no turns. Looking at what the car was & the course it was inevitable what was about to happen. Hope the driver was OK. Just nuts.... :crazy:
First in a series. Nissan is creating a series of videos on the DeltaWing. Nissan launched its innovative, experimental Le Mans project last month - the Nissan DeltaWing. This is the first in a series of 'behind-the-scenes' films that charts the development of the car and the ground-breaking technology with which Nissan aims to revolutionise motorsport. Part 1 -- proving it works in the wind tunnel. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-mqA-c6FP4&hd=1]Creating the Nissan DeltaWing. Video 1 - Wind tunnel testing - YouTube[/ame]
I hope the subsequent videos are more informative and interesting than this one. From Highcroft racing: "New episodes of the film series will be launched roughly every two weeks between now and Le Mans and will culminate in a TV documentary, which will air after the endurance classic in June." and "The first video in the series highlights the wind tunnel work on the car, carried out at the Windshear facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben Bowlby said: “We’ve had the Nissan film crew following our every move throughout the development of the car over the past few months and this will give the fans a great insight into the creation of the Nissan DeltaWing. “At first it was a bit strange to be filmed “reality TV†style as we worked to create the car, but after a while the camera crew were just part of the team. “The finished product will be brilliant for the fans to get to see what goes on behind the scenes in the creation a project as unique as the Nissan DeltaWing. “The wind tunnel work in particular was a key component of the project. The data we had from the scale model development and what our computer simulations told us showed we were moving in the right direction. “Getting the full-sized car in the wind tunnel really cemented that. In fact, the final results actually exceeded our expectations.†Darren Cox, General Manager, Nissan in Europe, said: “As soon as Nissan’s involvement with the DeltaWing project began and long before it was announced, we wanted to make sure that the challenge of bringing such a revolutionary car to the race track was properly recorded."
Comments from the drivers after their first day of testing in Europe: MARINO FRANCHITTI “Mother nature really did us a favor today because it was great to get another run in the wet. “I basically got monsoon conditions and Michael got to try the car on a drying track. It was a very good test for the car and the tires. “The day allowed us to try the wet tires in a real world situation – we didn’t have to wet the track at all, it was a proper wet, rainy day. “The day has really given us some important data and provided Michelin with some clear direction for future development. “The engine was great, the gearbox was great – it was a proper testing day when we were really able to get down to business doing damper work, brake work – all in all it was a very positive test and we’re now very much looking forward to the next run.” MICHAEL KRUMM “The guys have done a great job with the car since the Sebring tests. Even though the conditions were quite damp today and we really didn’t get a proper run in the dry, I am really pleased with how the car felt. “We’ve made some changes to the car including the steering which is now a lot better. Everyone was wondering before the car ran whether it would turn – in fact it probably turned too well and we have made some improvements in that area. “It is great to kick off the European testing because Le Mans is looming fast. Sebring was obviously a lot warmer and sunnier, but the conditions we had today could be exactly like you face at Le Mans some times. “Getting that wet weather running under our belt - working with Michelin on the tires - we now know what to expect.” Click here for pics from the test.
Yet another oddity caused by the shape of this thing, as seen running with lights on: More pics here.
Here's #2: "In the latest edition of the Nissan DeltaWing video series, this episode looks back on the day the engine first arrived at All American Racers. The Nissan DeltaWing is powered by a 1.6 liter Nissan DIG-T turbocharged engine which produces 300 horsepower - half of what the leading LMP1 cars usually compete with at Le Mans." [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew1RKXOuSxY]Nissan DeltaWing - The Engine - YouTube[/ame]
I had to bite my lips and make sure I read every page of this thread to see if anyone had figured out what makes this improbable DeltaWing works so well before I posted...but having read all the speculations and skepticism here and on other forums, I don't think the "outsiders" have figured out the trick either nor has the secret been officially revealed...so even though I know what makes this prototype handle so well (probably better than conventional racers in many respects), I think I should keep my mouth shut. How do I know? I just came back from a business trip to Panoz...although our business talk was unrelated, Dan showed us the facility/crew that built this project and the inners of this prototype... :wink::wink: This is NOT a scam I promise you...having been in the car design business for almost 30 years, I also laughed at the juvenile arrow car we all drew as kids...knowing what I know now, I'm blown away by the genius of what makes this one different...why didn't I think of this first? All I will say is that this is "thinking waaaaaaay outside of the box"....so stupid simple that no one thought of it...kudos to the first person to figure out the secret...there are going to be a lot of people who will be eatin their words down the road...and kudos to Nissan if they can overcome all the regulations...amongst many are trivial things like the headlamp location...rules say they must be such distance apart and forward facing but does not stipulate that it can't be in the rear of the vehicle...those are the kind of details that could kill the racer by other teams who feel threatened...AND THEY SHOULD! lol...I hope this brilliant idea doesn't go the way of Chapparrel and Tyrrell because of sore loosers...I will happen to be in France during that week for other things and wasn't planning on trippin out of my way to LeMans but I think plans might change now...just to see this 1.6 kick some V8 ass! You guys should be familiar with that sentiment eh? :biggrin5:
Thanks. That clears up... nothing? No hints, just tease? Maybe lift up the skirt a little bit, let us see the garter?
Love to just say it but I don't think it would be prudent of me to reveal what was shared while downing Jamesons lol...but trust me, when he told me "that", I said "no way"...and if I did just say it, you'd all say..."oh, no ****! that makes sense now"...it's nothing new, just not normally applied to racing...come on...you know it...what would make a three wheeler corner like a fother mucker?
If true (and I think it just might be) you just might be right that the regs will eventually kill it. I was always amazed that this particular bit of tech never caught on. I had the chance to drive the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 back in the day which had the 4-wheel steering and it was absolutely brilliant. Way off topic, but that car was an amazing piece of machinery for its day. 320 hp, 315 ft/lbs of torque at 2000 rpm, all wheel drive, four wheel steering and a fact that few knew: active aero pieces on the underside. Wonder if there are any survivors out there and what the after-market may have done for them.
I read something very interesting today, and I think it's very credible as I know the source...... Wanna know why they think this car will turn with no problem, and in fact why the last time out they said they had to dial it back cause it was turning too well? Don't look at the front wheels, look at the back..... Yep.
The front don't steer at all...ever try backing up really fast and steer at the same time? You can make a pickup change directions like a Mini...:lol: