 The
wide front tires imparts a much bulkier look to the front end of the
ARX-02a. And they come with some
draw backs; they are slower to reach operating
temperature (such as on a restart), there is an increased possibility
of hydroplaning in the wet, and there are negative interactions with
the front diffuser. Wirth Research ultimately felt these draw
back
were more than made up for by the gains. And indeed WR claims
to have overcome any and all drawbacks. |
 The
37/71-R18 Michelins. It has been indicated that (for now at
least) the tire compound for the front is the same as the rear.
|
 Front
dive planes were always a feature on the LMP2 Acura; never were they
raced without some configuration of dive planes. The
ARX-02a's
are similar in concept, but they seem much more hard wired into the
the design and less a way of balancing the car. I'll suggest
there are potentially other methods of altering the car's front
aero balance? What leads me to that conclusion is that they
are much
thicker than the previous diveplanes as seen on the LMP2 cars which
suggests a need to stay on the car. That is, it would be
detrimental to the car's performance if they were "pinged" off mid-race
because of car to car contact. The diveplanes are
tapered on the
outboard edge to improve aero performance.
|
 The
Acura's bare nose with diveplanes missing reveals further proof of the
permanence of the diveplanes. We understand that the diveplane
unit is glue bonded onto the fender, thus making them permanent |
 The
entire louver "cap" over the front wheel can be unbolted and replaced. |
 At Sebring 2009 a partial blanked/louvered panel was used. |
