Delta Wing 2012 Discussion ONLY

[cdsvg]

I dont quite understand all the vitriol surrounding this thing - I was a little disappointed when it was announced, simply because it isnt as interesting as what I was expecting for the 56th entry, but why all the hate? It really seems to have hit a button somewhere.

As for Panoz funding this thing, and the idea that we're getting this rather than a well funded ALMS - my understanding was that he was more of a consultant, and wasn't pouring any of his own money into this. It wouldnt make much sense to be funding this at the expense of the ALMS.

The biggest piece of news in all of this, and probably the biggest disappointment, surely has to be the fact that Highcroft are involved - meaning we wont see them with a proper program for next year at least. This hasnt really been discussed a whole lot.

[marcosgt]

There seems a lot of a negativity about the Delta Wing.

I don't know if it'll work, but there are a lot of pretty credible people behind it, so I can't believe it's a ludicrous as people suggest.

As for the suggestion that all 'people' want is another car that looks like other LMPs, I'd disagree.

I'm sure the Delta Wing will earn a lot more general public interest than another open top diesel LMP1 (or a dire Aston project) and I've been following Sportscar racing since the 70s and I think this is a lot more interesting a concept than most I've seen in that time.

I share a bit of doubt in exactly how this will work, but I'll be intrigued to see if they can do it and if it actually gets to race I would bet cold hard cash on it raising the awareness of Le Mans 2012 far higher than a Toyota works entry...

M

[gttouring]

It is worth a try. A proof of concept I guess. I don't know if they needed to make a double cockpit, it is only a public live condition test. The thing was designed around a single seat.
And does one actually exist? Not the foam and fiber glass one from the shows.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by marcosgt

There seems a lot of a negativity about the Delta Wing.

I suspect this could be the reason why http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkTv8DGlrok

[Mike007]

if it works, then great, it will bring more interest. But the thing is, it just looks wrong! If you look at the quick cars, then historically they all look 'right' or fast. And this doesn't really look right. It looks like something I drew in primary school, although without the machine guns and rocket launchers!

[Flyin Ryan]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Hence, AAR apparently being lined up to build it, which also is a marketing ploy as I don't think they were mentioned in the indycar choice, but I didn't follow so don't know.

AAR has been out of Indycar since Gurney after helping do all the legwork in the development of the Toyota engine to make it fast got told by Toyota "we're no longer giving you an engine". That was mid-to-late '90s.

The DeltaWing in Indycar was nothing more than Chip Ganassi's attempt to take control of the series like Roger Penske, Pat Patrick, and Carl Haas did in the late '80s/early '90s to ensure most of the people on the grid were dependent on buying a car from him in order to continue competing.

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by Mike007

if it works, then great, it will bring more interest. But the thing is, it just looks wrong! If you look at the quick cars, then historically they all look 'right' or fast. And this doesn't really look right. It looks like something I drew in primary school, although without the machine guns and rocket launchers!

Exactly what I keep saying; it's a car that an 8 year old would sketch up for fun.

I don't doubt that it can be made to work in some capacity, I just don't care if it does or not. As mentioned, it was designed as a spec racer for a single-seater series. It doesn't belong in sportscar racing. It was not designed to any hint of rules whatsoever; it has no connection to the road in any way.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Originally Posted by marcosgt

There seems a lot of a negativity about the Delta Wing.

I don't know if it'll work, but there are a lot of pretty credible people behind it, so I can't believe it's a ludicrous as people suggest.

As for the suggestion that all 'people' want is another car that looks like other LMPs, I'd disagree.

I'm sure the Delta Wing will earn a lot more general public interest than another open top diesel LMP1 (or a dire Aston project) and I've been following Sportscar racing since the 70s and I think this is a lot more interesting a concept than most I've seen in that time.

I share a bit of doubt in exactly how this will work, but I'll be intrigued to see if they can do it and if it actually gets to race I would bet cold hard cash on it raising the awareness of Le Mans 2012 far higher than a Toyota works entry...

M

Couldn't agree more.

I watch a little of the 24 hours, but it's just a bit too long for me (I know that's the point, but you get me). I'm a big motor racing fan, but the thought of this vehicle entering the Le Mans next year will definitely give me a good reason to watch.

I can't understand all the negativity.

I thought people wanted creativity and stopped watching things like F1 because it became so 'spec' orientated, so chose Le Mans (and LMS) instead..? I'm not too sure I understand all the uproar tbh.

I appreciate that some die-hards here want this car or that car, but this is genuinely quite an extreme design (well, duh), and to see this alongside all the other competitors, will be something!!

Selby

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Flyin Ryan

AAR has been out of Indycar since Gurney after helping do all the legwork in the development of the Toyota engine to make it fast got told by Toyota "we're no longer giving you an engine". That was mid-to-late '90s.

The DeltaWing in Indycar was nothing more than Chip Ganassi's attempt to take control of the series like Roger Penske, Pat Patrick, and Carl Haas did in the late '80s/early '90s to ensure most of the people on the grid were dependent on buying a car from him in order to continue competing.

Right, so the efforts were undertaken to come up with something that would be produced as a fleet and not a single unit, and the reason and the concept potentially for the unusual design was control of another unrelated racing series. So, with the current plan we are talking one car running in its own exclusive class. Sure, on a world stage, but the economics are wildly different then building a fleet for indycar.

Has AAR only been doing the Alligator since having been left behind by Toyota, with whom they had a very successful period in IMSA with the Celicas and the Eagles?

[nobster]

Just seen the computer animation on Mariantic of the car( or whatever they call it ) doing a lap at Le mans.
This is just a joke, it looks horrible just like a race sidecar on steroids, and sounds like a bee!
Maybe they should ask Steve Webster or Rolf Biland to do the driving of this thing, after all they were used to side car racing!

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by nobster

Just seen the computer animation on Mariantic of the car( or whatever they call it ) doing a lap at Le mans.
This is just a joke, it looks horrible just like a race sidecar on steroids, and sounds like a bee!
Maybe they should ask Steve Webster or Rolf Biland to do the driving of this thing, after all they were used to side car racing!

Thanks, just took a look and it confirms what I thought. This thing looks ridiculous.

[Simmi]

Highcroft are inviting questions on the DeltaWing.

Want to know more about the DeltaWing? Post your questions today @highcroftracing and we'll pick 10 & post at http://ow.ly/5pDlO #LM24 #alms

[broadrun96]

How many times do you think they have received 'What were you thinking?' just in the first hour?

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

How many times do you think they have received 'What were you thinking?' just in the first hour?

wasn't me

If they are taking suggestions, I would say make sure the check(s) clear.

[Catingaround]

Haven't been here in a while and thought I would check to see some hate for the Abruzzi making an appearance at Mosport and was delighted to find this thread on the DW. I had to go back and read it from the beginning

Oh thanks to the haters for all the LOLZ

I love this project, Dan Gurney, Don Panoz, Highcroft and Deltawing offering up this wacky thing is great. Looks like the majority of sports car fans don't like something new, might want to look down the hall at Grand-Am, it will probably be more to your liking.

Fear not the strange stuff, it's the spice of life, sometimes it works sometimes not. Like the Chaparral Sucker and Shadow Mk1 the Deltawing will be something different and strange to behold... can't wait.