Photo : PASCAL SAIVET - VSA

On the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected thirty historic cars grouped into three per decade, all up for public vote by race fans. To participate, click HERE and choose one per decade. The vote is open until the 15th of January 2013. Each of the thirty cars will have a short introduction. Today it is the Nissan DeltaWing, seen at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012.

In 2010 the DeltaWing was initially intended for IndyCar but when that did not work out, its designer Ben Bowlby transformed the car into a sports prototype (renamed Project 56) to make it a candidate for the 56th pit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012, newly created by the Automobile Club de L'Ouest to accommodate an innovative car running outside classification. For this new challenge, the DeltaWing project brought together some heavy hitting partners: in addition Ben Bowlby and Chip Ganassi (team owner and initiator of the project car), there is also Don Panoz (founder of the American Le Mans Series) and Dan Gurney (winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967), joined by Michelin and Nissan. The Nissan DeltaWing was finally chosen by the ACO, based on its concept of "downsizing" power reduction, but also reducing weight and aerodynamic drag. At the 24 Hours Test Day 2012, it recorded lap times in the midfield of LM P2 prototypes. During the race, it retired early on Saturday evening after an accident, but its performance was already proven, as well as the merits of its design. Where will we see the Nissan DeltaWing racing again? Time will tell ...

Year : 80th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (16th & 17th June 2012)
Number of cars entered : One
Technical Information :
1.6 litre turbo 4 cylinder
Drivers :
Marino Franchitti-Michael Krumm-Satoshi Motoyama (n°0)
Results :
Retired.