DeltaWing concept secures Le Mans 2012 experimental entry
The radical DeltaWing, rejected by IndyCar, will make its racing debut at the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours in the ACO’s Garage 56 slot for innovative technology.
The DeltaWing concept car, originally developed as a potential IndyCar replacement, will compete at the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours after securing the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s (ACO) invitation for the race’s experimental Garage 56 entry. The car will be run by a consortium including Highcroft Racing, Dan Gurney’s All American Racers, and Don Panoz, with Ben Bowlby as lead designer.
Garage 56 was created by the ACO to showcase technological innovation, allowing a single entry each year outside the usual classification. The DeltaWing was selected for its unconventional approach to efficiency: it aims to match the pace of LMP1 prototypes with roughly half the engine power, thanks to a dramatic reduction in weight and aerodynamic drag.
Radical design and technical partners
The DeltaWing’s distinctive triangular profile sets it apart visually and technically. The car features a narrow, almost tubular nose with tiny front wheels set close together, and a wide rear track. This configuration, according to Bowlby, delivers high-speed stability and agility while slashing drag. The car’s downforce is generated by its underbody, with no reliance on large external wings.
Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing around 300bhp. Project 56’s goal is to demonstrate that such a lightweight, low-drag car can compete at prototype speeds while using far less fuel and fewer materials than conventional designs. Michelin will supply bespoke tyres for the project, tailored to the car’s unique demands.
The development group brings together experience from across American motorsport. Highcroft Racing, fresh from American Le Mans Series success, will operate the entry. Dan Gurney’s All American Racers will handle construction, and Don Panoz contributes technical expertise, including his REAMS energy-absorbing chassis technology.
From IndyCar rejection to Le Mans debut
The DeltaWing concept was initially pitched for the 2012 IndyCar season but lost out to Dallara’s more conventional design. Rather than shelving the project, Bowlby and his partners adapted the car for endurance racing. The ACO’s experimental slot provided the opportunity to prove the concept on the world stage.
The car was unveiled at Road Atlanta during the 2011 Petit Le Mans, with the first running tests scheduled for late 2011. At Le Mans in June 2012, the DeltaWing was entered as car number 0 and driven by Marino Franchitti, Michael Krumm and Satoshi Motoyama. It ran competitive lap times with the LMP2 midfield during test sessions.
While the car’s early exit prevented a full race-distance test, the DeltaWing’s appearance at Le Mans marked a rare moment of radical innovation on the grid. Its performance and approach have since influenced discussions about efficiency and design in endurance racing. For more on the car’s race outcome, seeNissan DeltaWing Exits Le Mans After Collision.
