What's the story with the Nissan Delta Wing at Le Mans?, Strange looking machine Options

[DNHunt]

What could be the advantages and disadvantages? Maybe weight and aero advantages. What would be the front suspension issues?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.racintoday.com-598-1339856566.1.jpg)

Dave

[Richard Casto]

I am a fan of the engineering and hard work that went into the concept and in no way was I wishing them any bad luck, but I am absolutely against this being used as an example of how we should be building prototype (or other) race cars in the future.

I think that the broad goal was to be able to use smaller and more fuel efficient engines in the top levels of racing without reducing the size of the spectacle (i.e. speed). If you follow racing at all, there is much talk about "relevancy to production cars" and "green technology" such as hybrids, energy reuse, different fuels, etc. which are all important to auto manufacturers. So the concept with the Deltawing was 1/2 the power, 1/2 the weight, 1/2 the drag but all of the fun. The reduction to three wheels was the big factor on reduction of size (weight and drag). The lower drag allowed a lesser amount of power to generate lap times in the range of heavier and more powerful traditional designs.

But while I think they achieved their goals, I don't think this car is the only or best solution to that problem. Assuming that the problem even exists. The FIA/ACO just released new rules for 2014 and the includes a smaller footprint (including narrower maximum width which decreases frontal area and overall drag) plus I think a lower weight. Additionally they are working on a fuel restriction system with displacement, turbo, etc. being relatively open. In many ways, much like the Group C days of the 1980's. So the 2014 cars will be lighter, smaller and more efficient. Pretty much the same goals of Deltawing, but also being more relevant to road going cars plus keeping tradition alive.

Richard