The Delta Wing Car, The Early Reviews Are In

Big Bend, WI (February 10, 2010) – The Delta Wing project has been reveled and the early feedback from the public says it’s a loser. The car which indeed looks like the Spirit of America that Craig Breedlove drove to the land speed record in 1964 is startling. At first glance, it’s an intriguing design. The problem is the sim. Delta Wing Racing released a simulation of two of the cars dicing at Mid-Ohio. www.youtube.com/user/DeltaWingRacing Wow, I got a uncomfortable feeling watching that. Several friends with a passing interest in racing said “What is that?” And that wasn’t in a good tone. One fella e-mailed me, “I don’t see the problems this car solves. It looks like something sketched as “the car of the future” 50 years ago.” Other feedback I recieved in e-mails was, “lawn jarts,” and “Delta Wing = New Coke.” Not flattering reviews.

The Delta Wing car possibly may look good at a large wide-open oval such as Michigan, Indy or Fontana. Mid-Ohio? I have my doubts. A street course? Don’t even try it. The bottom line is the 1967 Turbine or the six-wheeled Pat Clancy car looked good at Indy. But 33 turbines or 33 six-wheeled cars perhaps would be a bit strong for my tastes. Even my some of my favorite unique cars of the past such as the sleek Lotus 56-turbine or the experimental oddities of Mickey Thompson’s Specials of the 1960’s were great in small amounts. The Smokey Yunick sidecar? Another great design, but 33 of them? 33 Delta Wing cars are not the answer. Six Delta Wing cars, six or ten Swifts, 15 Dallaras, etc. Are the answer. The one recurring opinion I’m hearing is the phrase made famous at fairground races in the 1930’s and 1940’s via Chris Economaki, “Let ’em all run!”

Steve Zautke

Steve Zautke, a Milwaukee, WI native, was raised in the sport of auto racing. His father, Bill, was a movie photographer that shot racing footage at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 1960’s and 1970’s Steve’s first professional job in racing was as an Emergency Medical Technician at tracks such as Angell Park and Hales Corners Speedway (1988-1991). Steve has also worked for the Milwaukee Mile as videographer, in media relations and historian (1993-2011). Steve also has worked as a reporter for Racing Information Systems (RIS) and has written features for ‘Vintage Oval Racing’ and ‘Victory Lane’ magazines. Most recently, Steve has written a book on Road America for Arcadia Publishing. ( http://www.amazon.com/Road-America-Nascar-Library-Collection/dp/1467111457 ) Steve co-hosts “Sparky’s Final Inspection” a motorsports-based radio show with hosts, Steve “Sparky” Fifer and “NASCAR Girl” Summer Santana on Sports Radio 1250AM in Milwaukee and is also available on the internet at www.Sportradio1250.com. A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Induction Committee, Steve follows all types of racing from the dirt tracks to Formula One.

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