1. DELTAWING FOR
2012 LE MANS
24 HOUR
MEDIA KIT
ENGLISH
ome of the biggest names in American motorsport have
joined forces for the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans to showcase a unique concept
demonstrating extreme performance with half the weight and horsepower of a traditional
racing car. The Project 56 group brings together the design talents of DeltaWing Racing
Cars LLC; the manufacturing capabilities of All American Racers - the company owned
by 1967 Le Mans winner and American racing legend Dan Gurney; and back-to-back
American Le Mans Series championship winning racing team, Highcroft Racing. American
Le Mans Series founder Dr. Don Panoz has also joined the project as a key advisor.
The group has received an competitive performance with only The DeltaWing selection was
invitation from Le Mans 24 Hour race half the horsepower of the outright revealed today at the ACO’s annual
organizers, the Automobile Club de contenders. It does this through press conference coinciding with this
“We’re talking
l’Ouest to contest the 2012 race as an halving the amount of aerodynamic weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans event.
about a completely
additional 56th entry. drag of traditional racing cars as well Construction of the new machine
different idea – a The 56th place on the grid as a similar reduction in weight. will begin next month at Gurney’s
car that goes the is reserved for a technologically The Project 56 group is in California facility.
same speed with innovative car to participate “outside discussion with engine partners to The Highcroft Racing team will
half the weight, half the classifications” – a vehicle provide a 1.6-liter turbocharged begin track testing of the new car
the drag, half the showcasing new applications and power plant for the project – later this year.
unique technologies previously unseen producing approximately 300 The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the
power, and half the
in the world’s greatest endurance race. horsepower. world’s oldest and most famous
fuel consumption. While racing cars have The car will be unlike any endurance race. First held in 1923,
It’s more efficient, traditionally strived for increased previously seen at the 24 Hours of Le the event has attracted the world’s
more relevant, and performance through gains in Mans. The car features a slender nose finest automotive manufacturers and
more cost effective horsepower and aerodynamic with extremely narrow front track – drivers.
for the teams to downforce, the DeltaWing concept minimizing the horsepower required Highcroft contested the race for
concentrates on exploiting to push the car to speeds of 200mph the first time in 2010 while Gurney
run.”
efficiency gains found outside around the 8.5 mile circuit. won the race in 1967 aboard a
contemporary regulations to Eliminating the use of traditional Ford GT40 with AJ Foyt – famously
BEN BOWLBY reduce fuel consumption without wings, downforce for the DeltaWing spraying champagne on the podium
• DELTAWING reducing performance. The new is generated solely beneath the car by for the first time to kick start a now
DESIGNER and experimental car is targeting the contoured underbody. world-renowned tradition.

2. DELTAWING
SPECIFICATIONS
TECH TALK
Weight: 475kg
Horsepower: 300 BHP
Wheelbase: 2.9 m
Aero drag: Cd 0.24
Front track: 0.6m
Rear track: 1.7m
Length: 4.65m
Width: 2.00m
Height: 1.03m
Brakes: Carbon pads
& discs
Fuel capacity: 40 liters
Chassis: lightweight
composite
Front tire: 4.0/23.0 R15
Rear tire: 12.5/24.5 R15
Weight distribution:
Front: 27.5%
Rear: 72.5%
KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES
• Engine and transmission are “non-stressed
members” in the chassis structural design which
allows the installation of a wide variety of
lightweight powertrains.
“The DeltaWing
• The car will likely feature a 4 cylinder 1600cc liquid
concept has
intercooled turbocharged engine that will produce
enormous potential
approximately 300 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and
and we are thrilled weigh 70kg.
and delighted to • Unique amongst today’s racing cars, more than
have the opportunity • Transmission is a 5 speed plus reverse longitudinal 50% of the vehicle’s braking force is generated
design with electrical sequential paddle shift behind the center of gravity giving a dynamically
to showcase its
actuation. stable response.
possibilities at
the most famous • The differential features an efficient variable torque • Locking propensity of the un-laden front wheel at
endurance race in steer/differential speed-controlled planetary final corner entry is greatly reduced due to virtually no
the world. The drive reduction layout with the entire transmission lateral load transfer with the narrow front track/
efficiencies that this weighing only 33kg. wide rear track layout, steered wheel “scrub drag”
moment is virtually zero greatly increasing tire
car demonstrates is
• Vehicle weight distribution is necessarily more utilization and reducing mid turn understeer.
really what the 24 rearward than traditionally seen with 72.5% of the
Hours of Le Mans is mass between the wide track larger rear tires. • Advanced computer modeling of structures,
all about.” impact energy management, aerodynamics, vehicle
• 76% of the aerodynamic downforce acts on the dynamics and tires has been used to develop the
rear of the car which has a lift to drag ratio of >5.0. DeltaWing design.
DUNCAN DAYTON
• OWNER, • Rear wheel drive coupled with the rearward weight • Driver position, restraint layout and energy
HIGHCROFT and aerodynamic distributions greatly enhances absorbing structures designed to meet the latest
RACING inline acceleration capability. occupant survival criteria.

3. “To achieve the dramatically
reduced carbon footprint we have
the regulations is invited to participate
to showcase an even greater diversity BEN
looked at ways to reduce weight and
drag, as well as the total number of
of automotive engineering concepts.
“The 56th entry is really a golden
BOWLBY
DeltaWing Racing Cars
components required to build the car. opportunity for us because it gives us
• Former chief designer at Lola
“The car has a three-point layout the chance to make a step change and
Cars
with the narrow front and wide rear “race” a car that doesn’t comply with
• During his time at Lola, he
track – as opposed to the rectangular the existing rule book.
designed Champ Cars, European
layout of contemporary racing cars. “We really have to applaud the
and Nippon F3000, SR1, SR2,
“We need much less chassis ACO for having the foresight to create
LMP 675 sports cars and BTCC
torsional stiffness for handling this opportunity for an entry like ours.
“We can use light, tough touring cars
performance so we don’t need to use We believe this is a true automotive
and energy absorbing • Joined Chip Ganassi Racing as
such stiff and brittle materials in the innovation which could be the catalyst
materials instead” Technical Director in 2003
chassis. We can use light, tough and for changing the way people look
• Commenced the DeltaWing
energy absorbing materials instead. the fact the ACO decided to create the at not only racing car design, but
concept in January 2009
“What is particularly impressive is 56th entry where a car that is outside automotive design as a whole.”
“To take a car like this with a
totally innovative design to Le Mans
platform for them to market and prove
their capabilities. DUNCAN
and run before a worldwide television
audience of more than 600 million
“In my opinion, it has the potential
to be one of the most significant
DAYTON
Highcroft Racing
people is an incredible story. developments in motor racing in 50
• Back-to-back ALMS Champions,
“This will be the first legitimate test years. It is so new and exciting, and
2009 & 2010
with 55 other cars on the track – it will such an interesting departure from the
• Former factory team for Honda
be a huge challenge but one that we traditional race car development path –
Performance Development
are looking forward to. it is highly relevant to the future.
• Has built a proven sports car
“The project represents a unique “Given that the world is
development team with world-
opportunity for all automotive industry concentrating on efficiency and green
class experience
sectors; the OEMs and suppliers, technologies in an attempt to achieve
“This represents a • Highly-respected historic
whether it be engines, drivetrains, sustainability, this project in my opinion
unique opportunity for competitor – a record 10-time
lubricant and fuel companies, tire will help promote the direction that is
all automotive industry winner at the bi-annual Monaco
manufactures – it is such an innovative being adopted throughout the entire
sectors” historic event
concept that it provides an incredible automotive industry.”
“The combination of proven
items that make up the character and
“I didn’t hesitate for a moment –
my response was absolutely yes. DAN
capabilities of the DeltaWing car make
it an extremely exciting project.
“I have a lot of curiosity and when
I first discussed this car with Ben
GURNEY
All American Racers
“It weighs half as much current Bowlby I listened closely and tried to
• 1967 Le Mans winner
cars, it burns half as much fuel, uses shoot holes in what he was saying but I
• Four F1 victories, including 1967
much less tire and goes the same quickly found I wasn’t able to. I believe
Belgian GP in his own Eagle
speed because of the exceptional the targets and predictions are valid.
Gurney-Weslake V-12, designed
aerodynamics and low drag. “It has been a long time since I
& built by AAR, plus three non-
“Almost every aspect of the car have been to Le Mans – in fact, the last
Championship events
is really basic engineering but the time I was there for the race I won with
• His team won 78 races,
combination of the total package AJ Foyt in the Ford GT40.
(including the Indy 500, Sebring
should be astoundingly good. “Once again the French are
“The combination of the twice, Daytona 24) and eight
“After looking at the project and leading the global charge for efficient
total package should be Championships, all with Eagles
the technical aspects of the car I was automobiles as they have done so often
astoundingly good” designed and built at AAR
asked would we like to build it. in the past.”
“I am extremely proud of the
progress that the ACO and the ALMS
it is one of the most important technical
innovations and philosophies displayed DON
have made in showcasing sportscar
racing as the global leader in green
in the sport for many years.
“I am also thrilled that the
PANOZ
ALMS Founder
racing. The ACO has proven itself to be bodywork of the DeltaWing car will
• Founded the American Le Mans
a leader in encouraging manufacturers utilize R.E.A.M.S. - Recycle Energy
Series in 1999
to investigate new technologies to tackle Absorbing Matrix System – the same
• The Panoz marque has
the world’s greatest endurance race. system debuted on the Panoz Abruzzi
won multiple races and
“Their decision to encourage earlier this year at Sebring.
championships in the LMP1
this forward thinking through the “This is a multi-layer composite
class and took the GT class win
creation of “Garage 56” has been system that is lighter than carbon fiber,
at the 2006 24 Hours of Le
the inspiration and catalyst to bring equally strong and can be recycled.
Mans.
together some of the biggest names in “This entire project is incredibly “I am delighted to play • Founder Elan Motorsport
US motorsport. exciting and I am sure the fans will be
a role in bringing this Technologies - 3-time Indy 500
“I am delighted to play a role in eagerly awaiting the chance to see the
project to life” winner
bringing this project to life as I believe car in action at Le Mans in 2012.”

4. “In 2010 the ACO Sporting Committee decided to create the garage #56 to promote new technologies. When
the ACO Management met the representative of the Delta Wing project everybody thought immediately that it would
be a high quality project for Le Mans Experimental entry in 2012.
“The interest of this project is based on the optimization of all factors that have an impact of global energy
consumption and efficiency of the car : weight, power, drag.
“The ACO want to give the opportunity to evaluate each technology, and this project shows that ahead of
hybrid, bio fuel or electric technology - we can explore other ways to improve efficiency.”
VINCENT BEAUMESNIL
Directeur Sports - Automobile Club L‘Ouest
« En 2010, le Comité sportif de l’ACO a décidé de créer le “garage n°56” pour promouvoir les nouvelles
technologies. Lorsque le management de l’ACO a rencontré les représentants du projet Delta Wing à Petit Le Mans,
tout le monde a pensé que ce serait un très bon projet pour une invitation Le Mans Experimental en 2012.
L’intérêt de ce projet est basé sur l’optimisation de tous les facteurs impactant la consommation d’énergie au
sens gloabal et l’efficacité de la voiture : poids, puissance, traînée aéro.
L’ACO veut donner l’opportunité d’évaluer chaque technologie, et ce projet démontre qu’au-delà de l’hybride, du
bio-carburant ou de la technologie électrique, on peut explorer d’autres voies pour améliorer l’efficacité. »

5. SCAN TO
VIEW VIDEO
Featuring Duncan Dayton, Dan
Gurney and Ben Bowlby