DeltaWing Displayed as Coupe at Sebring; Will Race This Year

DeltaWingNissan DeltaWingJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
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Race Cars, the company that is now running the DeltaWing racing program, has just announced, and released the first image of, the rumored DeltaWing coupe. The car is on display at the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend, and the team says that it could be competing on track as soon as the American Le Mans Series race at Laguna Seca in May. 

The most obvious feature of the upgraded car is the hardtop roof with a wide visor and large windows on either side. There is a large fin that starts at the rear of the roof and goes to the rear of the car. The team says that the roof meets 2014 LMP1 standards for driver visibility. Power comes from a heavily modified, turbocharged MazdaMazdaJapan, 1920 > present80 models
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four-cylinder engine from Elan Motorsports Technologies. 

The new design has the driver sitting in the middle of the chassis instead of to the right, as the car is oriented now. This was done partially for safety and partially to fit the driver's helmet.

The top should improve safety considerably as well. The DeltaWing's design has shown that it is possible to tip the car, and the top will prevent anything from striking the driver's head. 

“As the season goes forward, and we incorporate the new tub and new chassis with the new 2014 rules, and new engine, we think as with any new program that it will continue to improve in performance. As we get close to the latter part of the season, we’ll be capable of getting onto the podium,” said Dr. Don Panoz, managing partner of DeltaWing Racing Cars.