The
Japanese race car manufacturer Dome has been quite busy recently,
completely
modifying Team Goh's '99 BMW V12 LM. Major changes include a
reworked
front end incorporating brand new cooling architecture as well as a
redesigned
engine induction system. The car now has a more conventional air
box.
The changes up front work to generate more top side
downforce. The
area either side of the cockpit has been freed up with the moving of
the
induction system. The result is slightly less frontal area in
that
area. But the net frontal area may be a slight increase due
to the
addition of the airbox.
According to Dome the new bodywork reduces drag by 5% and increases downforce 10%. The results have been confirmed in testing at Fuji, telemetry indicating a downforce increase between 10 and 15%. Top speed has increased substantially as well. At the Fuji event in '99, top speed was 308 km/h (191 mph). This has increased to 322 km/h (200 mph).
BMW
V12 LM, 1999 Le Mans 24
Sculpting
leading out of the front wheel well exit has been altered to improve
air
evacuation out the wheel well and front underbody diffuser. This
modification
frees up plan area and creates a true horizontal side splitter (yellow
hash marks). The front and rear wheel arches have been slightly
resculptured
and, in addition, the rear wing now sports the ACO mandated endplate.
BMW
V12 LM, 1999 Le Mans 24