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Lotus 56: Difference between revisions

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{{Formula One Infobox |
{{Racing Car Infobox |
|Image = '''place image here in 300 pixels'''
|Image = [[Image:Lotus 56small.jpeg]]
|Marque/Constructor =  
|Category = [[Indianapolis 500]]
|Marque/Constructor = [[Lotus]]
|Chassis =  
|Chassis =  
|Front Suspension =  
|Front Suspension =  
|Rear Suspension =  
|Rear Suspension =  
|Engine =  
|Engine = Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine
|Power = N/A hp @ N/A rpm<br>N/A lb-ft. of [[torque]] @ N/A rpm
|Power = 500 hp (370 kW) @ N/A rpm<br>1150.44 lb-ft. (1560 Nm) of [[torque]] @ N/A rpm
|Transmission =  
|Transmission = 4WD
|Fuel =  
|Fuel =  
|Tyres =  
|Tyres =  
|Notable Entrants =  
|Notable Entrants = [[Team Lotus]]
|Notable Drivers =  
|Notable Drivers = [[Graham Hill]]<br>[[Joe Leonard]]<br>[[Art Pollard]]
|Debut = ''pending'' (if not yet introduced)
|Debut = 1968 [[Indianapolis 500]]
|Races Competed =  
|Races Competed =  
|Race Victories =  
|Race Victories =  
Line 19: Line 20:
|Pole Positions =  
|Pole Positions =  
|Fastest Laps =  
|Fastest Laps =  
|Designer = '''Designer (lead designer if it was a team effort)'''
|Designer = [[Maurice Philippe]]
}}
}}
'''Introduction'''
The '''Lotus 56''' was designed by [[Maurice Philippe]] as [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] 1968 entry in the [[Indianapolis 500]], replacing the successful [[Lotus 38]].
 
Based on [[Parnelli Jones]]' STP Granatelli turbine car ("Silent Sam") that almost won in 1967, [[Colin Chapman]]'s team again produced an even more innovative design. The 56 was shaped like a wedge on wheels, in the same vein as the later [[Lotus 72]], which was also designed by Philippe (who had replaced [[Len Terry]], the designer of previous Lotus Indy 500 cars)<ref>Setright, L.J.K., "Lotus: The Golden Mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. ''World of Automobiles'' (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1233.</ref> and Chapman. The engine of the 56 was also noteworthy, as it was a Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine of over 500 hp (370 kW) and 1560&nbsp;Nm (1150.44&nbsp;lb/ft) . To get the best out of the power produced, the 56 was fitted with [[four wheel drive]], something also used on the [[Lotus 63]] without success.
 
[[Jim Clark]] was enthused about the car in testing, but he was tragically killed in an F2 [[Lotus 48]] in April 1968 before he could qualify the car at Indy - an occasion in which [[Mike Spence]] died in the 56, adding more tragedy to [[Team Lotus]].
 
Nevertheless, [[Graham Hill]], [[Joe Leonard]], and [[Art Pollard]] were entered for the race, with Leonard claiming pole position. In the race Leonard was leading with ease with just a handful of laps to go when the engine failed. Lotus' innovation incurred the wrath of the governing body of American motorsport, and [[United States Automobile Club|USAC]] deemed turbine cars and four wheel drive illegal shortly after, much to Chapman's frustration.
 
The 56 would not be a total loss in any event. It inspired the [[Formula Ford]] [[Lotus 61|61]] and, in combination with [[wing]]s (pioneered by the [[Lotus 49|49]]), would transform Formula One.<ref name="Setright, p.1234">Setright, p.1234.</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Lotus 56.jpeg
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{-}}
{{-}}


==Complete Formula One Results==
==Complete Racing Results==
([[:Template:F1 driver results legend 2|key]]) (results in bold indicate '''pole position''')
([[:Template:F1 driver results legend 2|key]]) (results in bold indicate '''pole position''')
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
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==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Lotus 56B]]


{{Lotus}}
==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Lotus 56}}
Please include any external sites that were used in collaborating this data, including manufacturer sites, in this section.
'''''News and References'''''


{{F1-stub}}
'''''Enthusiast Sites and Discussion Forums'''''
[[Category:Formula One cars|Formula One cars]]
[[Category:2007 Formula One season cars]]

Latest revision as of 19:16, 16 July 2010

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Lotus 56
Race Car
Category Indianapolis 500
Constructor Lotus
Chassis
Suspension (front)
Suspension (rear)
Engine Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine
Power 500 hp (370 kW) @ N/A rpm
1150.44 lb-ft. (1560 Nm) of torque @ N/A rpm
Transmission 4WD
Fuel
Tyres
Notable entrants Team Lotus
Notable drivers Graham Hill
Joe Leonard
Art Pollard
Debut 1968 Indianapolis 500
Races competed
Race victories
Constructors' Championships
Drivers' Championships
Pole positions
Fastest laps
Designer Maurice Philippe

The Lotus 56 was designed by Maurice Philippe as Lotus 1968 entry in the Indianapolis 500, replacing the successful Lotus 38.

Based on Parnelli Jones' STP Granatelli turbine car ("Silent Sam") that almost won in 1967, Colin Chapman's team again produced an even more innovative design. The 56 was shaped like a wedge on wheels, in the same vein as the later Lotus 72, which was also designed by Philippe (who had replaced Len Terry, the designer of previous Lotus Indy 500 cars)<ref>Setright, L.J.K., "Lotus: The Golden Mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1233.</ref> and Chapman. The engine of the 56 was also noteworthy, as it was a Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engine of over 500 hp (370 kW) and 1560 Nm (1150.44 lb/ft) . To get the best out of the power produced, the 56 was fitted with four wheel drive, something also used on the Lotus 63 without success.

Jim Clark was enthused about the car in testing, but he was tragically killed in an F2 Lotus 48 in April 1968 before he could qualify the car at Indy - an occasion in which Mike Spence died in the 56, adding more tragedy to Team Lotus.

Nevertheless, Graham Hill, Joe Leonard, and Art Pollard were entered for the race, with Leonard claiming pole position. In the race Leonard was leading with ease with just a handful of laps to go when the engine failed. Lotus' innovation incurred the wrath of the governing body of American motorsport, and USAC deemed turbine cars and four wheel drive illegal shortly after, much to Chapman's frustration.

The 56 would not be a total loss in any event. It inspired the Formula Ford 61 and, in combination with wings (pioneered by the 49), would transform Formula One.<ref name="Setright, p.1234">Setright, p.1234.</ref>

Gallery


Complete Racing Results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
YYYY (Constructor) (Engine) (Tyre code)

Notes and references

See Also


1972a.jpg
LOTUS

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Please include any external sites that were used in collaborating this data, including manufacturer sites, in this section.

News and References

Enthusiast Sites and Discussion Forums