Strakka-Dome S103 Explained

Weight:900kg
Engine Name:Nissan VK45DE 90º 4.5L V8 Naturally Aspirated
Gearbox Name:Xtrac 6-Speed
Designer:Hiroshi Yuchi
Races:3
Poles:0
Wins:0
Tyres:Michelin
Constructor:Dome Co. LTD
Chassis:Carbon fibre monocoque
Category:Le Mans Prototype (LMP2)
Team:Strakka Racing
Debut:2015 6 Hours of Silverstone
Drivers:Nick Leventis
Jonny Kane
Danny Watts
Drivers Champ:0
Teams Champ:0
Predecessor:Dome S102
Front Suspension:Double wishbone, Pushrod, 2 Corner with Dome Dampers
Rear Suspension:As Front
Technical Ref:[1]

The Strakka-Dome S103 is a Le Mans Prototype LMP2, built to the ACO/FIA Le Mans Prototype LMP2 Regulations. The car was originally eligible for use in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series as well as the IMSA sanctioned WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. Following the 2017 rule changes for the class,[2] the car is no longer eligible for use in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the European Le Mans Series. However, it is still eligible for use in the LMP2-Am Asian Le Mans Series.[3] [4]

Development

Initial Development (Dome S103)

In May 2013 Dome Co. Ltd announced the development of the Dome S103, with the first concept sketches of the car being released online.[5] The car was announced as meeting both the 2014 LMP1 and LMP2 Technical regulations, and was developed in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), along with a 50% scale wind tunnel model at the Furyusha Wind Tunnel in Japan.[6] [7]

On 27 November 2013 Dome and Strakka Racing agreed to a long-term partnership, agreeing to jointly develop, market, and race the Dome S103, in the LMP2 "low-cost" guise, with the car becoming known as the Strakka-Dome S103.[8] The car was also announced to be powered by the Nissan VK45 4.5L V8 engine.[9]

On 24 March 2013 Strakka Racing gave the car its first shakedown, at the Turweston Aerodrome, with Jonny Kane and Danny Watts at the wheel. This was before the original intended debut of the car at the 2014 6 Hours of Silverstone, the first round of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.[10]

However, on 15 April 2014 it was announced by team principal Nick Levantis that the car would miss the first 2 rounds of the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship, due to teething problems and a lack of running of the car.[11] The car was originally to debut at Le Mans,[12] but this was subsequently cancelled,[13] due to extensive revisions to the rear geometry of the car, and long lead times for the parts to arrive,[14] alongside a desire to complete a further test programme.[15] Ultimately, the car would not race in 2014, after a planned debut at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo failed, due to a homologation issue with the headrest of the car, in spite of the car running well at a preparation test for its intended debut, covering 3500 km at the Hungaroring.[16] [17]

Prior to the cars debut at the 2015 6 Hours of Silverstone, the car had testing at the Motorland Aragon, completing over 4000 km of running.[18] The car was then launched at the FIA WEC Prologue at the Circuit Paul Ricard, on 26 March 2015.[19]

Strakka S103B LMP1

Following the decision to switch to the Gibson 01S chassis, following the LMP2 regulation change for 2017, a separate effort began to convert the Dome S103 to the Strakka S103B, which would run in the LMP1 class.

A tightly budgeted two-year LMP1 programme was launched in the wake of the regulation change, with design and engine supply discussions progressing prior to the program's cancellation. Owing to the escalating costs of logistics in the World Endurance Championship, and fuel flow regulations in LMP1 requiring expensive fuel metering systems, the programme was cancelled.[20]

Competition History

2014

Due to the numerous testing and homologation issues faced by the car, the car was unable to race.

2015

On its debut at the 2015 6 Hours of Silverstone, the car finished P4 on the road.[21] It was subsequently elevated to a P3 finish,[22] after the #30 Tequila Patron ESM car which originally finished P3 failed post-race scrutineering.[23] The car qualified P7 at the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps,[24] and finished in P5.[25] The car was subsequently shelved in favour of the Gibson 01S, with the team electing to use the car as a developmental mule for its proposed 2017 LMP1 project.[26] [27] The LMP1 project would be subsequently shelved by the team, and the car would never be returned to competition.[28]

NoTeamCar
SIL

SPA

LMS

NÜR

COA

FUJ

SHA

BHR
Totalpoints
42 Strakka RacingStrakka-Dome S10335Ret636th
Gibson 015S77665

References

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Strakka-DOME S103 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150317173154/http://www.strakkaracing.com/wp/world-endurance-championship/car/ . dead . 17 March 2015 . . 25 August 2019.
  2. Web site: WEC - New Year, New Regulations for LMP2. 2017-01-16. Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. en. 2018-12-12.
  3. Web site: FIA WEC: 2017 LMP2 Regulations, Key Points – dailysportscar.com. www.dailysportscar.com. 2018-12-12.
  4. Web site: ACO reveals 2017 LMP2 regulation details. www.motorsport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  5. Web site: Dome S103 design revealed. Sam. 2013-05-28. Racecar Engineering. en-US. 2018-12-12.
  6. DOME starts developing DOME S103 . www.dome.co.jp . 19 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140426044009/http://www.dome.co.jp/news/news/upimg/news%20release_domes103_may2013_en.pdf . Apr 26, 2014 . en . 24 May 2013.
  7. Web site: WEC news: Dome's LMP1 prototype set to get green light for 2014. Watkins. Gary. 2013-05-28. AUTOSPORT.com. 2018-12-12.
  8. Web site: Strakka Racing forms long-term partnership with DOME. www.motorsport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  9. Web site: Strakka confirms Dome partnership. 2013-11-27. Crash. en. 2018-12-12.
  10. Web site: Successful roll out for new Strakka DOME S103 LMP2 car. www.motorsport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  11. Web site: Strakka to delay LMP2 DOME debut. 2014-04-15. Crash. en. 2018-12-12.
  12. Web site: The Strakka DOME S103 continues its development.. lemans.org. en. 2018-12-12.
  13. Web site: Strakka Dome LMP2 withdraws from 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours. Watkins. Gary. Autosport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  14. Web site: Strakka Confirm Interlagos Debut For Dome S103 LMP2 – dailysportscar.com. www.dailysportscar.com. 2018-12-12.
  15. Web site: Strakka Dome Continues Test Program – Sportscar365. Dagys. John. sportscar365.com. en-US. 2018-12-12.
  16. Web site: Strakka-Dome S103 Delayed Until 2015 – Sportscar365. Dagys. John. sportscar365.com. en-US. 2018-12-12.
  17. Web site: Strakka DOME S103 LMP2 car debut delayed until 2015. News Powered by Cision. en. 2018-12-12.
  18. Web site: Strakka Racing's DOME completes first test of 2015. News Powered by Cision. en. 2018-12-12.
  19. Web site: Strakka Dome S103 Launched – dailysportscar.com. www.dailysportscar.com. 2018-12-12.
  20. Web site: Sportscars That Never Raced: 5, 2016 Strakka S103B LMP1 – dailysportscar.com. 2020-08-24. www.dailysportscar.com.
  21. Web site: Strakka Racing claims fourth in DOME S103 race debut. www.motorsport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  22. Web site: Strakka Racing claims fourth in DOME S103 race debut. www.motorsport.com. en. 2018-12-12.
  23. Web site:
    1. 30 Tequila Patron ESM HPD Excluded From Podium Finish – dailysportscar.com
    . www.dailysportscar.com. 2018-12-12.
  24. Web site: Final Classification . fiawec.alkamelsystems.com . 21 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506203334/http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/05_2015/02_SPA%20FRANCORCHAMPS/81_FIA%20WEC/201505011840_Qualifying/90_Classification_Qualifying.PDF . May 6, 2023 . en . 1 May 2015 . live.
  25. Web site: Final Classification . fiawec.alkamelsystems.com . 20 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506203335/http://fiawec.alkamelsystems.com/Results/05_2015/02_SPA%20FRANCORCHAMPS/81_FIA%20WEC/201505021430_Race/Hour%206/05_Classification_Race_Hour%206.PDF . May 6, 2023 . en . 2 May 2005 . live.
  26. Web site: Strakka Racing going forward with Gibson. lemans.org. en. 2018-12-12.
  27. Web site: Strakka launches 2017 LMP1 project for World Endurance Championship. Ladbrook. Rob. Autosport.com. en. 2019-08-11.
  28. Web site: Proposed New Strakka & Greaves LMP1 Privateer Programmes Hit The Buffers – dailysportscar.com. www.dailysportscar.com. 2019-08-11.