[DeTomaso] Some tech analysis of Classic LeMans 08
JDeRyke at aol.com
JDeRyke at aol.com
Thu May 28 02:50:33 EDT 2009
I just read Patrick Hals technical account of his success in the Classic
LeMans road race in 2008 (in Profiles '08 #4). Three techy-things struck me-
first, the factory Group 4 'Candy' had been having all sorts of cooling
problems. The final fix turned out to be to pull the factory racing radiator and
substitute an aluminum Fluidyne from his street Pantera! During the 4-hour
long race, Patrick was turning 7000 rpms lap after lap with no further
cooling issues. This should convince waverers of the worth of this part in their
much less stressed street Panteras.
Second, Patrick had some handling issues, which were resolved by installing
a set of Pat Michaels' front A-arms, and immediately dropped 20 seconds per
lap! With 7-minute lap times, this is enormous! Pat Michael's custom a-arms
build in a much larger amount of caster than is possible with stock parts.
I have been harping for years on the addition of at least SOME extra caster
in your street Panteras, especially if you run very wide front wheels and
tires. You don't need to run 190 mph on twisty roads to feel the benefits!
Third, Patrick cut a rear tire and in desperation, installed a pair of 15"
x15" x 26" tall gumballs on his 15 x 14" wide factory Campys. Full-racing
tires do not follow street size nomenclature, but if they did, these giant
meats would be somewhere around 375-40x 15, and worked well when mounted on
wheels almost as wide as the tread. This is key: a tire sidewall must be
supported adequately for decent handling, and that means the sidewall should be
almost straight up and down, not squeezed in on a too-narrow wheel. Tire Point
2: the huge tires fit under factory GR-4 rear flairs and cleared rear
suspension parts, under full-race conditions. In fact, they appear in the photos
to have quite a bit of clearance to the flairs.
There were 5 Panteras in the race, and M. Hals finished 1st Pantera, 23rd
of 70 starters, in about the oldest car in Gr-6 ('72). Gr-6 was composed of
50 or so purpose-built prototype racers and 5 GT Panteras, with a few much
newer machines. This is a magnificent feat and POCA is proud to be associated
with him. Bravo, Patrick- J Deryke
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