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Does anyone know of any LeMans prototype shorter than a length of 170 inches?

Started by ronsingapore , Dec 31 2014 05:59

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5 replies to this topic

#1 ronsingapore

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Posted 31 December 2014 - 05:59

Does anyone know of any LeMans prototype built after the 1980s that is shorter than a length of 170 inches? Or generally, any sports racing prototype?

Technically speaking, is it feasible and what would the limitation on vehicle length would have on speed?

Edited by ronsingapore, 31 December 2014 - 06:10.

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#2 gruntguru

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Posted 31 December 2014 - 07:20

Didn't the French invent the metric system?

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#3 Greg Locock

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Posted 31 December 2014 - 21:33

The shorter you make the car the shorter you make the rear venturi so you get less 'free' (L/D~10) downforce. Extra length costs you a bit in skin friction and weight, but not very much in the overall scheme of things.

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#4 desmo

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Posted 01 January 2015 - 01:54

Looks like the Peugeot engined WR proto linked to at 4310 mm just sneaks in under 170 in.

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#5 ronsingapore

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Posted 04 January 2015 - 15:16

The shorter you make the car the shorter you make the rear venturi so you get less 'free' (L/D~10) downforce. Extra length costs you a bit in skin friction and weight, but not very much in the overall scheme of things.

Interesting; I always wondered how LeMans prototypes compared against the Daytona prototypes.

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#6 Fat Boy

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Posted 04 January 2015 - 16:50

Generally speaking, a short overall length will mean a short wheelbase. The base design dimensions (wheelbase, tracks, weight distribution, inertias, etc.) of a car have a massive end-effect. A short car may very well put you in a "tail wagging the dog" situation at a place like Lemans. Once you get painted into a corner like that it can be very difficult to find your way out.