Following the announcement by Dome of the development of their new prototype, the Dome S103, Hiroshi Yuchi, Senior Manager of R&D race department at Dome Co.Ltd and designer of the S103, has kindly answered a few questions :

From an aerodynamic point of view, what are the main differences between the Dome 103 and the Dome S102.5?

“S103 is generally on the same direction of S102.5. However, due to the regulation change, S103 aims to increase the cornering speed rather than the top speed. Due to the engine power redution caused by the new regulation, the lap time should gain in the cornering, though S102.5 has quite low drag. The main concept is to gain the lat time before the car hits to the wall of air.”

 Do you think that the S103 will be a step forward by comparison to the Dome S102.5?

“I already see the reasonable step from S102.5 after I spent 10 days in the wind tunnel until last week. I cannot tell so much detail at this moment. But, the result from the wind tunnel already encourages me to go forward with this concept.”

 The wind tunnel testing has just begun, but have you already some results about the downforce and the drag?

“I cannot talk about the drag and downforce at this moment, as all competitors are working very hard for the development and are keen to know what the others are doing. Anyway, the result is very good so far.”

Do you think that the 2014 regulations are more fair for the privateers and the small manufacturers  like Dome as regards to the big manufacturers as Audi, Toyota or Porsche?

“I do not think it becomes fair, as it is still powertrain competition, and really less chassis competition. Therefore, without having a nice powertrain like factories, it is still very difficult to compete.”

 Who has designed the Dome S103?

“I designed this car.”

May the car receive various powerplants?

“The choice of the engine for the S103 can be various. The design work is undergoing to accept as much as all possible engines depending on the customer request.”

 Do you know already who will be the test driver (s) of the S103?

“Hiroshi Fushida is talking with the potential customers. I mostly spend the time in the development of the car.”

When is the first testing on rhe track scheduled?

“The shakedown of the car is scheduled for the end of the year.”

Have you already contacts with some teams (LMP1 or LMP2)?

“Yes, we had so many teams which have already contacted us.”

Could the Dome factory enter one car next year at Le Mans or in the Asian Le Mans Series for instance?

” A factory team will not happens We are going to sell S103 to the teams, as there is reasonable inquiry for our S103.”

We do thank Hiroshi Yuchi for his kindness.

Claude Foubert