From press release
Satoshi Motoyama tried to fix the DeltaWing all by himself after his car was sent into the wall following a contact with the Toyota TS030 n°7 on Saturday evening.
Six hours into the race, Satochi Motoyama, who shared the wheel with Marino Franchiti and Michael Krumm, was pushed of the road by the Toyota prototype of Kazuki Nakajima and suffered a hard impact into the wall on the exit of the Porsche Curves.
Motoyama worked for more than 90 minutes to try to repair the car to get it back to the pits but the damage to both the right rear and front of the car was too severe. While the Nissan DeltaWing crew were able to offer advice, the driver is the only person permitted to work on the car while out on the course.
The retirement was a disappointing end for the unique car that was fighting its way back through the field after an early gearbox actuator issue.
Michael Krumm started the race aboard the machine that features half the weight, horsepower and aerodynamic drag of a typical Le Mans prototype. The German spent nearly three and a half hours behind the wheel before handing over to Motoyama.
Sadly for the first man signed for the program and the driver tasked with developing the Nissan DeltaWing, Marino Franchitti, he did not get the chance to drive the car in the race.
"When we went green I was trying to let the leaders by and not interfere with their race but the Toyota swung across and hit me very hard," Motoyama explained. "Once I was on the grass there was nothing I could do. The Nissan DeltaWing was in the wall very hard but I was very determined to try to get the car back to the pits."
"The crew could give me instructions, but I am the only person who can touch the car," he added. "We tried for a long time to find a way to get the car back to the pits, but the damage was just too much. I have had such a great time driving this car and I’ve loved working with Marino, Michael and the entire team. We have really shown what the future of sportscar racing could look like – ultra efficient. I really hope I can get the opportunity to drive the car again, because we really do have unfinished business. I am certain the car would have run for a long time if not for the contact."
Satoshi Motoyama tried to fix the DeltaWing all by himself after his car was sent into the wall following a contact with the Toyota TS030 n°7 on Saturday evening.
Six hours into the race, Satochi Motoyama, who shared the wheel with Marino Franchiti and Michael Krumm, was pushed of the road by the Toyota prototype of Kazuki Nakajima and suffered a hard impact into the wall on the exit of the Porsche Curves.
Motoyama worked for more than 90 minutes to try to repair the car to get it back to the pits but the damage to both the right rear and front of the car was too severe. While the Nissan DeltaWing crew were able to offer advice, the driver is the only person permitted to work on the car while out on the course.
The retirement was a disappointing end for the unique car that was fighting its way back through the field after an early gearbox actuator issue.
Michael Krumm started the race aboard the machine that features half the weight, horsepower and aerodynamic drag of a typical Le Mans prototype. The German spent nearly three and a half hours behind the wheel before handing over to Motoyama.
Sadly for the first man signed for the program and the driver tasked with developing the Nissan DeltaWing, Marino Franchitti, he did not get the chance to drive the car in the race.
"When we went green I was trying to let the leaders by and not interfere with their race but the Toyota swung across and hit me very hard," Motoyama explained. "Once I was on the grass there was nothing I could do. The Nissan DeltaWing was in the wall very hard but I was very determined to try to get the car back to the pits."
"The crew could give me instructions, but I am the only person who can touch the car," he added. "We tried for a long time to find a way to get the car back to the pits, but the damage was just too much. I have had such a great time driving this car and I’ve loved working with Marino, Michael and the entire team. We have really shown what the future of sportscar racing could look like – ultra efficient. I really hope I can get the opportunity to drive the car again, because we really do have unfinished business. I am certain the car would have run for a long time if not for the contact."