Nissan DeltaWing Completes High-Profile Sebring Test

Photo Credit: Nissan

Ahead of the recently wrapped 2012 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the converted World War Two airport strip turned race track played host to a test for what is the subject for the revolutionary 'Project 56'. A prototype sports car racer, the DeltaWing turned its first public laps around the Sebring International Raceway on March 15th as part of the vehicle's training for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Attracting a sizable crowd, the ultra-lightweight, highly distinctive prototype set for several laps under the momentum of a Nissan powerplant.

In a recently published YouTube clip posted by Nissan, the phrase "incubator for innovation" is an appropriate description for the DeltaWing 'Project 56' sports car racing development. As the race car lapped the Sebring road course, the Nissan DeltaWing's roughly one-half reduction in horsepower over traditional race vehicles coupled with the one-half drop in weight should potentially equate to lap times close to current prototype class cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship. While the Sebring test was mostly exploratory without any official track times, the Nissan DeltaWing showed stability and drivability many critics of the race car were not expecting to see on track. Along with reduced fuel economy, Nissan DeltaWing engineers express that the lighter race vehicle will apply less mechanical stress to components such as tires and brakes. This fact for the Nissan DeltaWing should present some drastically different servicing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Photo Credit: Nissan

Nissan interest in the DeltaWing 'Project 56' initiative stems beyond the race track. The Japanese auto company believes the principles being exercised through the Nissan DeltaWing race car research and development can benefit future production cars for the street. General Manager of Nissan Europe Darren Cox explains, "It's a fantastic project for Nissan." adding "All of the stuff we learn from this project we are going to be able to cross into road car development,".

Included below is the YouTube video log Nissan posted on the DeltaWing chassis being put through its paces at Sebring International Raceway.

Nissan to Supply Power for DeltaWing Project's 2012 Le Mans Effort

Photo Credit: Nissan

Born as a candidate for the 2012 INDYCAR Series new car, the DeltaWing name and shape came to form in 2010. Of the five potential chassis suppliers vying for the right to represent the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR grid, the super sleek DeltaWing concept car was immediately regarded as most radical race car design.

A vehicle projected to weigh just 1,030 pounds, designers behind the DeltaWing concept estimated the vehicle would only require 300 horsepower to move at speeds up to 235 miles per hour. Besides the performance attributes, the DeltaWing's was effective in drawing motorsport fans to judge the exteme creation. Receiving strong positive and negative critiques from motorsport and non-motorsport observers, the DeltaWing made a distinct impact on the important IZOD INDYCAR Series season rules of 2012.

Photo Credit: Nissan

Ultimately, the INDYCAR sanctioning body elected to go with the more conservative Dallara plans under some modified framework where body kits would alter the race car's outer appearance. While the DeltaWing was praised for its innovation, it was suspected that the vehicle proposal was just too experimental for the open wheel racing series. Following the decision, it would have been likely that the DeltaWing design would be been retired as another concept car that was never meant for the light of day. However, shortly after INDYCAR rejected the DeltaWing race car, a new calling offered to bring the concept to the race track. Instead of competing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the DeltaWing chassis is being primed for the full-day motorsport affair known as the 24-Hour of Le Mans.

Photo Credit: Nissan

Preparing for its race track debut in the 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans event, the DeltaWing's radical shape quickly received support for its road racing effort through 2011 into this year. Today, another major partner joined the experimental DeltaWing effort supplying the race car's engine power. Japanese automaker Nissan has signed onto the program as the engine provider for the innovative DeltaWing project. A 1.6 liter powerplant incorporating direct injection and a turbocharger, the Nissan engine being mated with the DeltaWing chassis features technology similar to the production Nissan Juke crossover vehicle. Nissan estimates 300 horsepower will be produced from the 1.6 liter racing engine. Combined with the DeltaWing's lightweight, the Nissan engine should avail the possibility of top speeds around 200 miles per hour on the Circuit de la Sarthe.

Photo Credit: Nissan

The race car chassis was brought to form by Dan Gurney's All-American Racer company. On a personal note, when I was composing an article for Canadian motorsport publication PRN Magazine on the activities of the INDYCAR chassis selection in 2010, I attempted to contact Dan Gurney knowing he would be a qualified voice to the process. Having been respectfully declined of the opportunity to gain insight from the legendary auto racing driver and engineer by Gurney's assistant, it is quite obvious now he took a liking to the DeltaWing project.

Under the support of experienced American Le Mans Series race team Highcroft Racing, the DeltaWing is now circulating test tracks in preparation for its sports car debut in June. Part of the DeltaWing testing will involve laps at the Sebring International Raceway in Thursday March 15th.  The Nissan powered DeltaWing concept will be invited to occupy Garage 56 reserved for experimental entrants of the Le Mans 24-hour race. While the Highcroft Racing-fielded Nissan DeltaWing will not be officially classified in a race category, the unique race vehicle is destined to receive front-running attention over the full day of on-track action.

Photo Credit: Nissan

Photo Credit: Nissan

Photo Credit: Nissan