'IndyCar 2012: Enter, The Delta-Wing'

[Panther_99FS]

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/indycar-inside-the-delta-wing-project/

 

[wombat666]

This has been ridiculed by the usual bunch of spotty faced armchair 'experts' on a number of forums, Ed.
Unfortunately they wouldn't know that the 'Worm' design has been running in motor cycle outfit racing for well over 20 years with outstanding success!
Rolf Biland came up with a long wheelbase hub centre steering design with the engine behind the rider in the 80s which (despite only 3 wheels) is not unlike this concept.
Biland's design is more of a three quarter delta, it is very stable and much faster than the older outfits as the rider is seated inside the all enclosing body and the COG is way lower than even a BMW powered 'Kneeler' could ever be.
I think it remains to be seen how effective the 'Delta' will be until a full scale prototype is built and run, but it is an interesting concept.
It does tend to go against the IRL open wheel grain however.

 

[Ferry_vO]

Rolf Biland... That name brings back memories of the old sidecar motor racing championship!
I assume you mean this vehicle, Wombat?: http://www.tamiyabase.com/1to1scale/real_58017.htm

BTW Someone should make that rFactor mod available!

 

[Ferry_vO]

Here are the other concepts; first three from Dallara:

And three from Swift:

The Swift has a part dubbed the 'mushroom buster' on the back which channels the air behind the car so overtaking will be easier; this was first implemented on their 2010 Formula Nippon car:

 

[wombat666]

The TAMIYA R/C model is one of the originals, I was thinking more along the lines of the current LCR chassis ferry.

 

[Panther_99FS]

As stated in the other thread, I'm all for the delta.....Wouldn't mind seeing completely wingless cars either :mixedsmi:

 

[Ferry_vO]

The TAMIYA R/C model is one of the originals, I was thinking more along the lines of the current LCR chassis ferry.

Are these things still raced with..? I thought the class disappeared.

 

[wombat666]

Are these things still raced with..? I thought the class disappeared.

Still an official FIM recognised and regulated 'World Championship' Ferry.
http://www.superside.com/
Engines are an amalgamation of Superbike and Superstock regulations, 740cc to 1000cc, four cylinders maximum, and if I understand the FIM rulebook (not that simple!) there appears to be a weight scale depending on cylinder numbers, as in a twin is lighter than a triple while a four must be the heaviest outfit.

Interesting team site here, http://www.birchallracing.com/bike.html, full specifications and technical details.

 

[Ferry_vO]

Thanks for the links, Wombat, didn't know it was still around. I remember it from the late eighties and early nineties, with Dutchmen Streuer and Schnieders competing against Rolf Bilund, Steve Webster and others. I think it was in the same program as the 125/250/500cc bikes wasn't it..?

 

[Cazzie]

Hey Panther, check out the Delta-Car simulation video here, scroll down about half a page.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1129819

Caz

 

[Ferry_vO]

The official website: http://deltawingracing.com/

The most interesting part is the very low drag, wingless design which should allow for close racing and a lot of overtaking. 235 mph with 300 hp is quite impressive btw!

 

[MaddogK]

Yawn, 237.498 mph / 382.216 km/h, one lap, Arie Luyendyk, 1996, in a C.A.R.T. vehicle (qualifying), and 236.103 mph / 379.971 km/h, Eddie Cheever, 1996 (fastest race lap at Indy) WAYYY before this IRL nonsense (Dallara/G-Force).

 

[Ferry_vO]

BTW Someone should make that rFactor mod available!

I contacted the guys over at Delta Wing and:

We have had many requests for this information and we are going to determine if we are going to release it in the near future.