Delta Wing Coupe

racerfink wrote: Don't think that will help it make up the 10 secs. to the Audi... Or even the 5 secs. to the slowest LMP1 Lola.

That won't matter soon, given that LMP1 will be gone. I think I recall that the goal was for the DW to be able to match the LMP2 speeds, which it's probably close to doing.

racerfink wrote: Don't think that will help it make up the 10 secs. to the Audi... Or even the 5 secs. to the slowest LMP1 Lola.

While it's running LMP1 this year, it was originally designed to be more or less competitive with LMP2. At Le Mans last year, it wasn't far off from the LMP2 field in its first outing, so with some work it could easily be a decent platform.

I speculate that IMSA chucked it in the LMP1 field this year, because they were afraid that there wouldn't be any LMP1 cars showing up, and they needed something to fill out the categories.

In the "new series", it is supposed to be in the same class as the current LMP2, and the "updated" Daytona Prototypes. As it sits right now, I would guess that the D-wing splits the two categories at most tracks.

I am going to say I like it too... I would like to see a few of them slicing and dicing it on the track at once... just not all in silver.. we would all be blind from the glare

mad_machine wrote: I am going to say I like it too... I would like to see a few of them slicing and dicing it on the track at once... just not all in silver.. we would all be blind from the glare

At least the other competitors will actually see this version and stop hitting it.

I've been a fan since it was proposed for Indy. I'd just like to see it in action...for an extended period of time.

bgkast wrote: Looks like it's straight out of the star wars prequel.

I was thinking either that or "flight of the navigator"

I read the Bridgestone news flash that announced sponsorship; money flowing lol.

In reply to bgkast:

When I saw that Star Wars movie, there was something about the shape (but not the surface finish) that made me think of a 1930's vision of future speedboat.

As for the Deltawing coupe...

It was designed to go against LMP1 cars. If you recall, it was built to do it with "Half the Horsepower". Since it has 300hp, and LMP1 cars are less than 550hp...

But it was also built to not use as much gas and the fewer pit stops would allow it to win in spite of a slight speed advantage, but that advantage was legislated away last year.

Will they allow them to take advantage of the better gas mileage this year? I don't know.

racerfink wrote: Ace and Gary, your LMP is ready...

i'm sure they'd do it if they could get some sponsorship money out of Lorne Michaels..

what, exactly, is the big deal about this car?

novaderrik wrote: what, exactly, is the big deal about this car?

Half the weight, half the power, half the fuel consumption. It is set up to use the 1.6 Turbo "World Engine" that is being used in WTCC and WRC right now.

Jerry From LA wrote:

mad_machine wrote: I am going to say I like it too... I would like to see a few of them slicing and dicing it on the track at once... just not all in silver.. we would all be blind from the glare

At least the other competitors will actually see this version and stop hitting it.

Unless they hit it because the sun was in their eyes

This will trigger another hour long conversation with Phil the spotter.

Ad campaign should be "Your favorite wheeled sex toy now in chrome!"

In reply to racerfink:

I remember having these as toys when I was a kid, thanks for the flashback.

Maroon92 wrote:

novaderrik wrote: what, exactly, is the big deal about this car?

Half the weight, half the power, half the fuel consumption. It is set up to use the 1.6 Turbo "World Engine" that is being used in WTCC and WRC right now.

Actaully, it is supposed to have a 2.0 T now.

The big deal? It's different, not just a tiny evolution from the standard template. Never mind the drag aspect, it proves you can make a car handle with such an oddball track and weight distribution.

wvumtnbkr wrote:

Maroon92 wrote:

novaderrik wrote: what, exactly, is the big deal about this car?

Half the weight, half the power, half the fuel consumption. It is set up to use the 1.6 Turbo "World Engine" that is being used in WTCC and WRC right now.

Actaully, it is supposed to have a 2.0 T now.

Yeah, I'm not totally up on it, but the engine in it now is an Elan-developed engine, not the Nissan that was in it previously.

moparman76_69 wrote: I was thinking either that or "flight of the navigator"

I don't know, the Flight of the Navigator UFO manages to look pretty futuristic, even today. Reminds me of some sketches I've seen of proposed lifting body space planes. The new Delta Wing Coupe looks more 1930s space opera. I kind of like it, although I think it would look better with a steeper windshield rake.

In reply to bravenrace:

I heard it was a Mazda MZR?

Javelin wrote: In reply to bravenrace: I heard it was a Mazda MZR?

Yeah, it's supposed to be the same spec as the one mounted in Dyson's LMP. I would guess that this is because they were 1. Available 2. Inexpensive.

People in Sebring this week have started calling it "Chromemember"

It qualified 10 secs behind the pole winning Audi, and it's behind three, count 'em THREE, LMPC'S.

racerfink wrote: It qualified 10 secs behind the pole winning Audi, and it's behind three, count 'em THREE, LMPC'S.

And if it has half the pits stops for gas where will it be?