Michelin and Project 56’s DeltaWing: the Future of Le Mans Racing?

by John Coyle
MBWorld

A couple of years back, I covered a few rounds of the American Le Mans Series, and while I was a fan before that experience, I’m an even bigger fan now. So I was really interested in this video Michelin put together about the DeltaWing LMP1 prototype. The car has half the power of a current Le Mans racer, but since it’s half the weight, it should still be able to lay down some pretty quick laps, and stop for tires and fuel far less frequently.

The styling is far from traditional–check out how close together the front wheels are!–but if you want to take things to the next level, you have to think outside the box. When I first saw this baby, the first thing I thought about were the Colonial Vipers from Battlestar Galactica. Now, I don’t know about you, but in my opinion, if you design a fast race car, and it happens to look like a wicked-cool spaceship, you’re doing something right.

We’ll get to see it on the track at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans. But for now, check out the video to find out more about the DeltaWing, and to learn why vehicles like it are critical factors in the development of safer, more efficient street cars.