Would be nice to see the Nissan Deltawing back

Clearly the best race in the known universe.

If we look at the purpose for which the delta wing was designed and allowed to enter lemans, it was to prove it's efficiency.

It was supposed to have the speed of an LMP1 vehicle, yet have half the horsepower (300hp) and half the engine (4 cylinder), yet make up it's speed through aerodynamic efficiency.

But as we saw, in lemans trim it's marginally faster than a GTE car in race conditions.

In ALMS trim (bigger restrictor) it's at best a midpack LMP2 car.

I just don't think it broke any new grounds.

I just hope the hydrogen powered car won't start with a bang...

Anyway, it should be interesting. I'd like to see a liquid air powered proto in the future.

Gotta love rhe DW knockers... always makes interesting reading

The Deltawing was NEVER intended to go at LMP1 pace. The ACO mandated it go no faster than LMP2 pace which it managed to acheive quite easily. Other factors at Le Mans did slow it down.

At Petite it ran in exact same trim as at LM (No bigger restricter or any other freedoms) and managed a VERY good result, especially as it was. forced too start last and not given wave arounds etc that were given to the other classified cars (Lmp2 & GTE).

YES the Delta Wing was supposed to have LMP1 pace. From the interviews Duncan Dayton and Marino Franchitti had said so themselves. Go on highcroft's website and click on delta wing. And under the project 56 tab watch the video there.

That was the intended goal. But it was supposed to have LMP2 level technology, meaning a road car derived engine. And half the performance specs of P1 cars.

What else did you think it was supposed to achieve? A 4 cylinder turbocharched engine is hardly a marvel a lemans.

LMP2 mazdas used to have 2 liter turbo 4 bangers and used to go much faster.

The best racing spectacle in the world bar one...the Dakar Rally, the last real adventure. Having been a few times I suggest that everybody with speed in their veins goes at least once!

The motto of the delta wing is "half the weight, half the horsepower, half the downforce, and all of the performance". That's all in reference to LMP1 cars.

PatW: Is Dakar really a real adventure? For amateur racers maybe, but what about professional racers with big budgets, support etc...? The true spirit of Dakar is gone.

The original INTENT of the DW may have been aimed at LMP1 BUT the ACO set the parameters to which the DW would be allowed to race. Things like having to uncover the rear tyres instead of leaving them covered and adding the, frankly, huge mirrors were all directed by the ACO to increase the drag of the DW and slow it down. The mirrors alone added something in the area of 8% extra drag.

The ACO also set a target lap time (as it does for ALL Le Mans classes) of 3:45. The DW achieved a 3:42 in qualifying and a 3:45.7 in the race itself.