Nissan DeltaWing Qualifies 10th for Petit Le Mans Race, Focuses on Unfinished Business

BRASELTON, Georgia – The innovative Nissan DeltaWing has qualified 10th fastest for the 15th running of the annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta tomorrow.  This comes after the car was badly damaged in a crash during a practice run earlier in the week. With the Nissan crew working around-the-clock, the team was able to get back on track and ready to finish what was started at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.

Nissan DeltaWing Driver Gunnar Jeannette recorded a fastest time of 1 minute, 12.850 seconds for the 2.54 mile circuit. The American racer will drive with Spaniard Lucas Ordoñez tomorrow.

“Gunnar did exactly the job we were looking for today. We are exactly where we needed to be – smooth and consistent, taking no extreme risks in any way,” said Ben Bowlby, Nissan DeltaWing designer. “We ran our exact race package today, the engine, tires, bodywork – we have a very good package for tomorrow’s race.”

The Petit Le Mans is an endurance race that lasts 10 hours, or 1,000 miles. Nissan already proved that its DeltaWing could compete with LMP2 cars at a high-speed circuit such as Le Mans; now, the Nissan DeltaWing will compete on a more traditional, twisty road circuit at Road Atlanta.

“We’re solidly in the P2 field which is exactly where we expected to be and I’m very pleased with the car,” said Jeannette.  “It doesn’t have the ultimate pace of a qualifying set-up on it; but I think, for a race car over 10 hours, the car will be very comfortable and give us the perfect tool to complete our goal. The car has been a huge hit with the fans so far this week and both Lucas and I are really looking forward to the race.”

The road to this point has not been without challenges for what some are calling the most unique racing car to take to the track in decades. There was the accident earlier this week, and also the crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the Nissan DeltaWing was forced off the track and wasn’t able to finish the race.

“This race is extremely important for us because it is 10 hours of continuous running which we are greatly in need of to learn more about the car in traffic, changing conditions and testing reliability,” said Bowlby. “It is an incredibly important learning experience and for the team to complete the entire race tomorrow is our absolute priority.”

Tomorrow’s race will be the first North American event for the Nissan DeltaWing, which features half the weight, half the horsepower and half the aerodynamic drag of a typical Le Mans sports car.

GUNNAR JEANNETTE

“We're solidly in the mid-pack of the P2 field which is where we expected to be and I'm very pleased with the car.

"It is nice and safe - it doesn't have the ultimate qualifying lap set-up on it but for a race car over 10 hours it is going to be very comfortable for Lucas and I.

"All the crew really did a magnificent job after the accident. We got the car back out last night and the main goal of qualifying was to bring the car back with all four wheels on it and make sure all the crew could get a good night's rest tonight.

"We really have a great car for the race and I'm really looking forward to it."

LUCAS ORDOÑEZ

“Gunnar had a good confident car for qualifying and we're very happy with that.

"The lap time shows we have really good pace despite the fact we didn't try to really push on the car set-up to try to outpace the P2s.

"We were very happy with the balance of the car and the goal is to have a safe and confident car for the race.

"It is great to make it into the top ten and I am really looking forward to tomorrow's race."

BEN BOWLBY - NISSAN DELTAWING

“Gunnar pinned the laptime that we were looking for - smooth and consistent, took no risks and brought the car back to the pit lane.

"That was our absolute race car - race gear ratios, race engine, race bodywork - everything for tomorrow.

"We're absolutely ready to go and we really don't even have to worry about the warm-up tomorrow.

"This race is extremely important for us because it is 10 hours of continuous running that we really in need of to learn about the car in traffic, in changing conditions, reliability and performance terms.

"For the team to complete 10 hours is our absolute priority."

DON PANOZ - DELTAWING RACING CARS

“The performance of the car today was very pleasing and will provide us with more very valuable data in finalizing the race package for the 2013 rules here in the American Le Mans Series.

"Gunnar and Lucas have both done an excellent job all week and our aim tomorrow will be to get the car to the finish line.

"We're not here to interfere with anybody's race - we're here to showcase what the Nissan DeltaWing is capable of. The car really is a great example of what can be achieved when you concentrate on efficiency."

DARREN COX - NISSAN

“We're putting on a great show and continuing to surprise people.

"Firstly, the job the team did to repair the car this week was just outstanding and the car's pace was exceptionally strong.

"The qualifying pace was surprising again. We're not fully wound up for a qualifying set-up - on Le Mans tires, Le Mans aero - yet we're in the middle of the P2 pack.

"This car has a huge amount of potential. We've got a great team working on it and the two drivers have worked fantastically well together all week.

"There is a great atmosphere around the team and we're looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans.

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