Nissan DeltaWing

[Steve Webb]

Nissan is entering something a little bit different into Le Mans this year, its not eligible for points and is entered as an experimental car.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QBh6rLjhSQ"]DeltaWing Unveil Laps - YouTube[/ame]

Its obviously got aerodynamic benefits, but are there other benefits, and what are the pitfalls of this sort of design?

[wrinx]

I bet cornering's interesting....at least they don't fall over like a plastic pig

wrinx

[Steve Webb]

I bet the front suspension has got to be 'interesting' to say the least to fit it all in there. Still the benefits must be worth it otherwise they wouldn't be trying.

[Evodelta]

Interesting, why is it not eligible?

[Steve Webb]

I'm not sure, but I assume there are regulations governing the minimum and maximum track of a car. Obviously the Nissan falls kinda outside of them!

[Steve Webb]

Found this on a news site about the car:

"Yet despite the "Prototype" classification, today's LMP (LeMans Prototype) cars follow strict regulations in terms of size, shape and engine load-out."

So I'm guessing the Deltawing is the wrong size, shape and falls outside of all the engine classifications as it only runs with a 1.6L engine.