New Luchini LMP2, including new Cv0 LMP2 (merged threads)

[veeten]

Just saw the pics of the Lucchini LMP2 on DSC.

Had it out on testing runs, and it looks great. And according to the article there, it will have it's "comming-out" party at Silverstone.

[rdjones]

It does look the business doesn't it. Lets hope it goes aswell as it looks.

[JAG]

The raised ride height doesn't seem as pronounced on this car and it has a pretty long tail.

Looks very good.

[MulsanneMike]

The Lucchini is pretty cool...

[therealdeal]

can someone give me a photo here please? id like to see it!

[billnchristy]

same here.

[SALEEN S7R]

Hmm, could this car be a potential threat to the Courage C65's? I sure hope so, the Courages need some competition.

[JAG]

Originally posted by MulsanneMike
The Lucchini is pretty cool...

Why has Luchinni been able to make a pretty nice looking car compared to other new reg cars. Is it because it is a clean sheet design.

What are your initial impressions of the car. Looks like a hybrid of the Dome and MG to me and a big step up from their SR2 car.

Apparently Pilbeam will also have a totally new carbon chassis LMP2 ready for next season.

I particulaly like the fact that the LMP2 cars look big and purposeful, as opposed to the dinky little SR2 based cars.

[MulsanneMike]

My primary interest was in how they interpreted the new regulations regarding the management of air in the area of the side pod. Previously front diffuser air was often vented out the side via very intricate pontoon fenders, etc. LMP1/2 rules now really clamp down on how much the bodywork can be offset from the side of the car and therefore you can't have separate fenders. Looking at the top of the car, the bodywork can only be offset 150 mm from the side of the car in towards the center of the car between the wheelbase (actually from points between 415 mm from the front and rear wheel centerlines). Previously this area was completely free with no regulation governing the area.

So gone will be the obvious pontoon fenders (what an interesting design feature it has been), but I think air management similar to that can be achieved within the new rules. Only question is, with tunnels on the car, how much air do you really want to exhaust out the front/side of the car via a nose diffuser?

Regarding the Lucchini, I only saw the images briefly this afternoon at work (and can't get back into DSC now, site seems to be off line) so I really can't comment effectively. I agree, it looks more purposeful than the SR2 cars of the past and hopefully it will go as well as it looks. That the car is apparently ready and will be at Silverstone says a lot for that company. Where's Lola's LMP??

Though no one is talking about the other LMP2 car on DSC, the CvO or whatever it is called. That's really cool looking as well. Anyone know anything about that group??

[GT1]

I thought as far as SRPII went, the Lucchini was underated and I would think their P2 car would be very nice.

[Try Hard]

One thing i noticed about it was the position of the airbox intake, inside the "passanger" headrest. I remember some discusiion about this on here earlier in the year (following Lola showing its lmp with a similar design), and thought that it wasn't actually legal to do that?
Maybe its different for the Converted LMP's and a scratch built one. Mike, any ideas on this?

As I understand from your description mike, looking from above, the bodywork is allowed inwards of a maximum of 150mm, so you would technically be allowed some very narrow slots for exausting air out the side?

I will admit it does look good, the double roll hoops don't look anywhere near as bad as I though they would. It deffiently strikes me as having a bit of C65 and Dome in it though. IT's quite low between the wheelarches too, although maybe thats emphasized by the raised floor.

Regards
Ed

[veeten]

the thing about that is that time had essentially run out as far as development on the SR2, since it has ben around for at least 5 years. It was time for a new approach.

Seeing what Courage had done with the C65, this year alone, seems to have been enough for Lucchini to put forth an effort with the newer LMP rules in place.

I'm asking the same about the Lola as well, Mike. Hopefully, there'll be a test mule on the tracks by PLM-time, and a working racer by Sebring.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally posted by Try Hard
One thing i noticed about it was the position of the airbox intake, inside the "passanger" headrest. I remember some discusiion about this on here earlier in the year (following Lola showing its lmp with a similar design), and thought that it wasn't actually legal to do that?
Maybe its different for the Converted LMP's and a scratch built one. Mike, any ideas on this?

As I understand from your description mike, looking from above, the bodywork is allowed inwards of a maximum of 150mm, so you would technically be allowed some very narrow slots for exausting air out the side?

I will admit it does look good, the double roll hoops don't look anywhere near as bad as I though they would. It deffiently strikes me as having a bit of C65 and Dome in it though. IT's quite low between the wheelarches too, although maybe thats emphasized by the raised floor.

Regards
Ed

I'm a bit puzzled by the location of the engine intake as well. I thought we had come to reasonably conclusion as to why it wasn't legal to put them in the secondary passenger headrest. But I've gone through the rules this morning and can't seem to relocate the justifucation...

Yes, you could manage air out the side of the car from the front diffuser via narrow slits. You could create a shadow board and you are free to do whatever you want behind that as long as it exits out an opening that is only 150 mm wide.

I'm still not thrilled about the double roll over hoop protection as I think the cars really look awkward. That in an of itself would be enough for me to move towards an closed top car. Though I'm still unsure if there would be any advantage to a closed top car aero. wise as you have the disadvantage of creating a large lifting surface (roof).

[JAG]

Lola better pull there fingers out or they are going to be losing even more sales to Courage, also in the US, to the likes of Luchinni and Pilbeam.

I'm sure Luchinni will offer you a very good deal on the car as well.

There has been talk of an LMP1 version of the car.

Apart from the crash test, whats stopping the car running in LMP1?

[JAG]

Originally posted by MulsanneMike

Though no one is talking about the other LMP2 car on DSC, the CvO or whatever it is called. That's really cool looking as well. Anyone know anything about that group??

http://www.cvoracing.com/