DeltaWing LLC announced the initial results of its first full-size model test in the state-of-the-art Windshear wind tunnel, run on Tuesday in Concord, N.C.

“The test was a huge success and confirmed the trends of our advanced computational fluid dynamics modeling,” said Ben Bowlby, designer and chief technology officer of DeltaWing. “We are very pleased that the results in the wind tunnel support our CFD findings. This is a critical step for the project and allows us to move forward toward a final design with the growing confidence gained from these results. We continue to believe that the car will respond on the racetrack as our simulations have predicted over the past 16 months. We are more convinced than ever that the DeltaWing concept will meet or exceed the parameters that the IZOD IndyCar Series has established for the 2012 chassis.”

The full-size model used Firestone tires that were specifically manufactured for the DeltaWing car and completed the majority of the test at wind and road speeds of 140mph.

“The test could not have gone any better,” said Bowlby. “The Firestone tires were excellent and it is a testament to their advanced design and manufacturing technology that they were able to create these tires in such a compressed time frame. Firestone is a great partner to work with.”

The moving ground plane roadway of the Windshear facility was also put to use in analyzing wet condition spray patterns from the front wheels. The test established that spray off the narrow front wheels is minimal and will not interfere with the driver's vision in rainy conditions. The design of the body around the wheels dramatically reduces spray, improving visibility and safety in the rain, according to the company.

“Given the extensive aerodynamic data that we now have about the DeltaWing car, we believe that a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with approximately 300 to 350 horsepower will meet the performance requirements of the IZOD IndyCar Series for the 2012 chassis, doing so with only half the fuel consumption of today's car,” said Dan Partel, CEO of DeltaWing. "This is the engine design and displacement direction that the entire automobile industry is pursuing, and we think it makes our car's performance very relevant to the general public.”

DeltaWing's proposal is one of five bidding to become the next generation of Indy cars.