2002 Cadillac Le Mans

As Cadillac celebrates its 100th birthday in 2002, one of the first presents to be unwrapped is the all-new Cadillac Northstar Le Mans Prototype (LMP). With an aerodynamic new body design, an updated engine package and a performance-driven team, the second-generation Cadillac LMP 02 represents a bold break from the past for young Team Cadillac. Designed under the direction of GM Racing by Nigel Stroud, the Cadillac LMP's carbon fiber monocoque chassis and suspension components were fabricated in Brackley, England, and assembled at the team's headquarters near Atlanta. An extensive testing program is planned leading up the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15-16, 2002. The Cadillac LMP 02 will also compete in selected American Le Mans Series events in North America.

The design team utilized the full range of sophisticated tools that are now available to race car constructors: computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), and three-dimensional solid modeling. Wind tunnel and seven-post tests then validated the Cadillac's performance under carefully controlled conditions.

The Cadillac LMP 02's high nose directs airflow under the car while respecting the LMP rules that require a flat bottom between the front and rear wheels. This flat surface can, however, generate significant downforce through ground effect - the interaction between the moving vehicle and the fixed track surface. By shortening the wheelbase, undesirable changes in the vehicle's attitude are minimized, allowing the flat bottom to maintain a positive rake angle and produce consistent aero loads. Wind tunnel tests have demonstrated substantial improvements in both lift and drag over the first-generation LMP 01.

The double wishbone suspension employs F1-style cast stainless steel uprights that mount six-piston monoblock brake calipers and carbon fiber discs. The power steering is electronically assisted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2010

Cadillac LMP 02 Technical Insights: Chassis Design And Development

SEBRING, Fla. - As Cadillac celebrates its 100th birthday in 2002, one of the first presents to be unwrapped is the all-new Cadillac Northstar Le Mans Prototype (LMP). With an aerodynamic new body design, an updated engine package and a performance-driven team, the second-generation Cadillac LMP 02 represents a bold break from the past for young Team Cadillac.

CADILLAC LAÚNCHES NEW NORTHSTAR LMP IN CENTENNIAL YEAR
'Very seldom in racing can you talk about a program in its third year and say that you have an all-new race car, but that is exactly the case with the Cadillac LMP 02,' said Herb Fishel, executive director of GM Racing. 'The Cadillac LMP 02 marks a new beginning for Team Cadillac with a state-of-the-art race car




INTERNATIONAL TEAM CREATED CADILLAC LMP 02
Designed under the direction of GM Racing by Nigel Stroud, the Cadillac LMP's carbon fiber monocoque chassis and suspension components were fabricated in Brackley, England, and assembled at the team's headquarters near Atlanta. An extensive testing program is planned leading up the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15-16, 2002. The Cadillac LMP 02 will also compete in selected American Le Mans Series events in North America.

'The new Cadillac LMP 02 is the culmination of a deliberate step-by-step process,' said Jeff Kettman, GM Racing Cadillac LMP program manager. 'In the first year of the program, we learned about the level of competition we faced. In the second year, we focused on collecting data and accumulating experience while racing a highly modified LMP 01 chassis. Now in the third year of this program, we are introducing the new Cadillac Northstar LMP 02 - a car that incorporates the lessons we have learned and embodies the knowledge we have gained.'



The design team utilized the full range of sophisticated tools that are now available to race car constructors: computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element analysis (FEA), and three-dimensional solid modeling. Wind tunnel and seven-post tests then validated the Cadillac's performance under carefully controlled conditions.

NEW CHASSIS DESIGNED ENTIRELY ON COMPÚTER
The cornerstone of the Cadillac LMP 02 program is a new carbon fiber chassis - designed not on a clean sheet of paper, but on a glowing computer screen.

'While the series rules define many of the car's dimensions, we were able to make significant changes to the chassis within these parameters,' said Nigel Stroud. 'For example, the move to a shorter wheelbase improves the Cadillac LMP's aerodynamic performance by making the chassis less sensitive to pitch. This results in an overall improvement in stability over the previous car.'

SHORTER WHEELBASE PRODÚCES IMPROVED STABILITY
The Cadillac LMP 02's high nose directs airflow under the car while respecting the LMP rules that require a flat bottom between the front and rear wheels. This flat surface can, however, generate significant downforce through ground effect - the interaction between the moving vehicle and the fixed track surface. By shortening the wheelbase, undesirable changes in the vehicle's attitude are minimized, allowing the flat bottom to maintain a positive rake angle and produce consistent aero loads. Wind tunnel tests have demonstrated substantial improvements in both lift and drag over the first-generation LMP 01.

The Cadillac LMP design team explored a variety of imaginative body and chassis layouts before finally selecting a shape that is familiar to road racing fans.

'We looked at several concepts that really pushed the limits, but none satisfied all of the requirements for downforce, cooling and packaging simultaneously,' Stroud §äid.

NEW CONSTRÚCTION METHOD ÚSED IN CADILLAC LMP MONOCOQÚE
'Advances were made in the construction of the monocoque by using a different method of bonding the two halves together,' he continued. 'The side-mounted radiators employ water-to-oil heat exchangers to cool the gearbox, which eliminates the aerodynamic penalty of a separate air-to-oil cooler for the transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) This system also stabilizes the gearbox oil temperature, especially at the beginning of a race when the lubricant is preheated by the engine coolant.'

Safety considerations also figured prominently in the design of the Cadillac LMP 02. A Formula 1-style cockpit surrounds the driver while head restraints molded from shock-absorbing foam cradle the helmet's back and sides. An innovative pedal box assembly provides an extra measure of protection for the driver's lower extremities.

INNOVATIVE PEDAL BOX ENHANCES DRIVER SAFETY
'The monocoque is the primary survival cell,' Stroud explained. 'Inside of that is a secondary cell to protect the driver's feet. This 'box within a box' also offers the advantage of a fully adjustable pedal assembly to accommodate different drivers.'

The double wishbone suspension employs F1-style cast stainless steel uprights that mount six-piston monoblock brake calipers and carbon fiber discs. The power steering is electronically assisted.

'We have made a large number of small changes in the car that we believe will add up to a substantial overall improvement in Team Cadillac's on-track performance,' Stroud predicted. 'It comes down to getting the details right in order to produce a great car at the end.'

It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With the introduction of the Cadillac LMP 02, Team Cadillac has taken many steps in its quest to reach a higher level of success - and there are many more steps ahead on the long road to Le Mans.

Source - Cadillac

Sold for $209,000 at 2011 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island.
Ford 2002, Cadillac built its own chassis for prototype racing. Nigel Stroud designed the LMP02 and gave it an angular design de-void of the dummy grille and with a large air intake in the front and smaller ones at the sides. To aid in high-speed stability, it was given improved ground effects and a shortened chassis that was 12-inches shorter than Cadillac's prior LMP cars.

Three cars were built for Team Cadillac, and one of them would become the most successful Northstar racer. That vehicle was chassis number LMP-02-002, which finished ever race in 2002.

The design was a significant departure from the previous model and was completely designed by computer. Extensive wind-tunnel testing was performed to ensure an accurate and aerodynamic design. The body was comprised of carbon fiber and the two halves of the monocoque were bonded with a new technique. The side-mounted radiators use water-to-oil heat exchangers to cool the gearbox, which eliminates air-to-oil cooler drag and stabilizes the gearbox oil temperature. A Formula 1-style cockpit surrounds the driver with head restraints molded from shock-absorbing foam and an adjustable pedal box assembly, which also provides extra protection for the driver's feet and legs.

The fuel-injected, twin turbocharged DOHC V8 engine produced 600 horsepower. It has a six-speed X-Trac sequential gearbox and four-wheel hydraulic carbon disc brakes.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $300,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $209,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011