07/06/2018 -
Le Mans 24h weekend is getting very closed and beside Toyota, BR/Dallara and ByKolles there is another interesting LMP1 car to be reviewed, namely Ginetta G60-LT-P1.
Presented in January during Autosport International at Birmingham, model G60 named as tribute to 60th anniversary of UK brand located at Leeds, is an interesting interpretation of the LMP1 technical rules. It is powered with Mecachrome V6, 3.4 litres with nearly 650 HP and will be primary actor competing on LMP1 privateer title.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 is adopting a rather conventional cooling ducts system for brakes.
Front ducts are designed with recessed scoop located just over the splitter on fender inside surface. Very closed to max pressure coefficient area. Similar solution for rear brakes scoop integrated on rear fender nose on internal surface. It appear to be conventional design nevertheless respecting the drag optimization for a given airflow required to keep safe operating condition of brake system during a challenging race of 24 hours.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 front and rear cooling duct for brake
Nose bottom side, closed to front wheel axle, is a very sensitive area to limit the high pressure zone that tend to develop beside the front keel. Barge boards and vanes are used to guide the flow so to blow it where is desired rather than leave it free to develop in an uncontrolled manner directed under the floor.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Front view of under noose and turning vanes
Front keel, turning vanes under nose, wheel drum fairing are also components clearly developed on Ginetta G60. Those elements are design to direct the flow coming from splitter trailing edge, diverging it alongside improving underflow pattern and feeding rear diffuser with cleaner airflow.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Area between front keel and inside wheel drum
Simple but efficient design of raised underfloor just at the back of front wheel. This solution permit to use low pressure wake in the area behind front wheel acting on floor plane at rear cone of fender. This trick leads to increased downforce with good efficiency using low energy flow created by the wheel.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Raised floor at fender rear cone entrance
Total absence of front lowers generally collocated on panel between fender inside surface and front nose. This is a clear indication of low downforce configuration used at Le Mans. It is a distinctive solution on Ginetta Lmp1. Side plate is conventional with flat surface and curvy trailing edge.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 – Absence of lowers on top panel at tunnel entry
Wing elements over the diffuser upper surface. Airfoils are twisted with higher attach angle on car centreline. This create an upwash at diffuser exit with higher efficiency than trimming nolder located at bodywork trailing edge.
Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Wing element over rear diffuser channel
