The 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans is fast approaching and one car that has been stamped for participation is slowly taking shape. In 2011, we featured the Delta Wing Concept Race Car months ahead of its involvement in Le Mans in June 2012. Now it looks like the Delta Wing is primed and ready for competition – even if it will take the 56th and last place on the grid as an experimental race car.
Leading the way in the development of the Delta Wing is Nissan, which is one of the leading partners of the entire project. For their involvement, the Japanese automaker will be supplying the engine for the racer in the form of a race-spec 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline–Turbocharged) that will develop close to 300 horsepower.
Since the Nissan Delta Wing is just an experimental car, it won’t be classified as part of the grid. Nevertheless, the goal for the entire team isn’t so much to win as it is to display what could be a potential technology for the future of motorsport racing and providing enough research and development for the team.
“As motor racing rulebooks have become tighter over time, racing cars look more and more similar and the technology used has had less and less relevance to road car development,” said Nissan chief, Andy Palmer.
“Nissan DeltaWing aims to change that and we were an obvious choice to become part of the project,” he added.
Piloting the Nissan Delta Wing at the 24 Hours od Le Mans will be reigning FIA GT1 World Champion, Michael Krum, and British racer, Marino Franchitti.
gallery: 2012 DeltaWing Concept Sportscar
