The Panoz DP01 was developed to be safer, and less aero-dependent while racing closely with other cars than previously existing Champ Cars. The Panoz had numerous changes from the previous Lola car, including more downforce from the underbody. Approximately 60% of the car's 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) of downforce at 200 mph (320 km/h) came from the bottom of the car. It weighed about 1,550 lbs., and featured a 950-horsepowerCosworth XFE 2.65-liter turbocharged V8. The DP01 could go from 0-60 mph in 2.2 seconds, 0-100 mph in 4.2 seconds, and had an approximate top speed of 240 mph.[2] This was done by directing the air in a way so as to create additional downforce on the car, thereby effectively sucking it to the racetrack. This put less dependency on the front and rear wings in the event of a failure at high speed.
Another major change from the previous car was the raised nose, which was moved farther above the front wing and directing more air to the underbody aerodynamics. The raised nose also created a safer environment for the driver in the event of a head-on collision with a wall or another car.[3]
The driver sat more upright than in the Lola chassis, to reduce the chances of back injuries, and to better accommodate the use of the HANS device.
At a weight of 1460 pounds, the DP-01 was 105 pounds lighter than the outgoing Lola and approximately 9 inches shorter.
Champ Car intended to lower the purchasing cost of the chassis and spare parts to ease the financial pressure on the teams, who had to purchase a brand new car and were not able to reuse their existing chassis. Whereas the outgoing Lola chassis cost approximately US $450k, the DP-01 cost US $295k. Spare parts were also priced at about 30 percent cheaper, with a gearbox costing US $45k rather than US $110k and the price of a complete nose assembly was set at US $16k rather than US $33k.[4]
Unveiling
The DP01 was officially unveiled to the public at the Champ Car Grand Prix of Road America on September 24, 2006. Brazilian Roberto Moreno piloted the DP01 at the unveiling, putting down a few demonstration laps shortly before the feature Champ Car race that day.
Panoz DP01, original livery
Panoz DP01 with Cosworth XFE engine
Roberto Moreno, driver of the unveiling laps
Debut
The first Champ Car open test of the DP01 took place January 23 to January 25, 2007, at Sebring International Raceway. The second open test occurred on February 12 and 13 at MSR Houston. The third and last open test before the season took place March 9 and 10 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Panoz DP01's race debut was at the Vegas Grand Prix on April 8, 2007. Team Australia's Will Power won the inaugural pole and the first race with the DP01.
Final Champ Car DP01 race
In February 2008, the sale of Champ Car to the Indy Racing League (IRL) was consummated. Since the IRL used its own spec formula based around a chassis made by Italian manufacturer Dallara, the DP01 was retired from championship racing after approximately one year of racing service. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach held in April 2008 served as a "Champ Car finale", and the DP01s were used by all participants.
The Panoz DP01 is no longer being manufactured. However, Elan Motorsports Technologies did use the car as somewhat of a model for the Panoz DP09 chassis for the Superleague Formula series that houses a naturally aspirated Menard 4.2 V12 engine.
DP01s owned by most Champ Car teams were sold to privateers in the United States and elsewhere. Two examples of the cars in use during 2010 were in the BOSS GP Series, where the chassis was campaigned by Henk de Boer and by Peter Milavec.[5][6][7]
Atlantic Championship former president Ben Johnston also owned multiple DP01s, which he intended to be raced in a new multi-class open-wheel racing series called GreenPrixUSA.[8] However, the series was delayed due to track and possible engine issues.[9] As of 2016, Johnston was forced to liquidate his racing assets due to divorce.
