The experimental Nissan DeltaWing sportscar kicked off its European testing program in England at Snetterton in Norfolk yesterday with Scotsman Marino Franchitti and German Michael Krumm getting the opportunity to sample the car in wet conditions. Steady rain throughout the morning enabled the team to undertake wet weather development with tire partner Michelin with the 1.6 liter Nissan DIG-T turbo-powered car. Franchitti conducted most of the morning running in conditions that ranged from wet to full monsoon weather – gathering valuable data as to how the car performs. Having only previously conducted some brief wet track running on an artificially damp track at Sebring with the help of a water truck – today’s on-track action was an important step in the development of the wet tires for the car.
The Nissan DeltaWing features half the weight, half the horsepower and half the aerodymamic drag of a traditional Le Mans sportscar – with front tires that are only four inches wide. Michael Krumm climbed aboard the car for much of the afternoon running – enjoying drier conditions as the team worked on suspension adjustments, braking and gearbox improvements. The Nissan DeltaWing will debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Nissan’s involvement in the program was announced in March with the manufacturer not only providing the engine, but additional technical resources for the car’s debut.
Designed by Ben Bowlby, the DeltaWing partnership brings together some of the biggest names in North American motorsport including project managing partner and American Le Mans Series founder, Don Panoz; racing legend and Nissan DeltaWing constructor, Dan Gurney’s All American Racers organization along with Le Mans entrant and back-to-back ALMS prototype champions, Duncan Dayton’s Highcroft Racing.
The Nissan DeltaWing will continue its testing program next week with a two-day test scheduled in the UK.
MARINO FRANCHITTI
“Mother nature really did us a favor today because it was great to get another run in the wet. I basically got monsoon conditions and Michael got to try the car on a drying track. It was a very good test for the car and the tires. The day allowed us to try the wet tires in a real world situation – we didn’t have to wet the track at all, it was a proper wet, rainy day. The day has really given us some important data and provided Michelin with some clear direction for future development. The engine was great, the gearbox was great – it was a proper testing day when we were really able to get down to business doing damper work, brake work – all in all it was a very positive test and we’re now very much looking forward to the next run.”
MICHAEL KRUMM
“The guys have done a great job with the car since the Sebring tests. Even though the conditions were quite damp today and we really didn’t get a proper run in the dry, I am really pleased with how the car felt. We’ve made some changes to the car including the steering which is now a lot better. Everyone was wondering before the car ran whether it would turn – in fact it probably turned too well and we have made some improvements in that area. It is great to kick off the European testing because Le Mans is looming fast. Sebring was obviously a lot warmer and sunnier, but the conditions we had today could be exactly like you face at Le Mans some times. Getting that wet weather running under our belt – working with Michelin on the tires – we now know what to expect.”