Lotus 56B Pratt & Whitney
STP-Paxton Turbocar
STP-Paxton Turbocar
The Lotus 56 was a racing car, designed by Maurice Philippe as Team Lotus' 1968 entry in the Indianapolis 500, replacing the successful Lotus 38. The engine was source out of the Montreal Pratt and Whitney shop.
There's not much crazier than a turbine powered race car with the driver and engine sitting next to each other, but this car is exactly that. Carroll Shelby called it "hogwash," but Parnelli Jones nearly won the 1967 Indy 500 with it, only to retire with gearbox issues.
There's not much crazier than a turbine powered race car with the driver and engine sitting next to each other, but this car is exactly that. Carroll Shelby called it "hogwash," but Parnelli Jones nearly won the 1967 Indy 500 with it, only to retire with gearbox issues.
Lotus 72CLotus 69 Special
Active: 1971
Team: Team Lotus
Designer: Maurice Phillippe, Colin Chapman
Drivers: Emerson Fittipaldi, Reine Wisell, Dave Walker
When introduced into F1 in 1971, the Lotus 56 had been presented by Maurice Philippe in 1968 to compete in the Indianapolis 500. With its innovative turbine drive, instead of a normal reciprocating piston engine, F1 designer Colin Chapman saw the potential of such a car and let the project run slowly for two years. However in 1970, Chapman got in contact with Pratt & Whitney Canada which could provide a turbine to meet the regulations of Formula One. The result is the Lotus 56B that was determined to run in the 1971 Formula One season.
Team: Team Lotus
Designer: Maurice Phillippe, Colin Chapman
Drivers: Emerson Fittipaldi, Reine Wisell, Dave Walker
When introduced into F1 in 1971, the Lotus 56 had been presented by Maurice Philippe in 1968 to compete in the Indianapolis 500. With its innovative turbine drive, instead of a normal reciprocating piston engine, F1 designer Colin Chapman saw the potential of such a car and let the project run slowly for two years. However in 1970, Chapman got in contact with Pratt & Whitney Canada which could provide a turbine to meet the regulations of Formula One. The result is the Lotus 56B that was determined to run in the 1971 Formula One season.
The new turbine driven car had several important differences compared to traditional power. Most importantly, the turbine had about 600hp compared to 425hp of the traditional engines at these days. Furthermore, the drive train was simpler as the car did not need a gearbox or clutch to get all the power to the wheels. A turbine engine is also smaller and lighter than a regular piston engine, meaning less moving parts (more on gas turbines can be found at how stuff works).
Rather than radiator openings in the sidepods, the car featured a chimney behind the driver's head to evacuate the hot gases from the turbine engine. As the turbine engine was very thirsty, the extra space in the sidepods was all used up by large fuel tanks that could hold up to 280 liters of kerosene.
Additionally, the lack of engine brake meant the drivers had to rely solely on the regular brakes. The car was therefore equipped with larger and heavier inboard brakes while the drivers had to get used to left foot braking, a little known technique at the time.
Rather than radiator openings in the sidepods, the car featured a chimney behind the driver's head to evacuate the hot gases from the turbine engine. As the turbine engine was very thirsty, the extra space in the sidepods was all used up by large fuel tanks that could hold up to 280 liters of kerosene.
Additionally, the lack of engine brake meant the drivers had to rely solely on the regular brakes. The car was therefore equipped with larger and heavier inboard brakes while the drivers had to get used to left foot braking, a little known technique at the time.
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