MARKHAM, Ontario (June 19th, 2013) – The Le Mans 24 Hours is all about questions. A double or triple stint for your driver at 4 am? Which racing line to claim through the iconic kinks from Mulsanne to Indianapolis? To top up the gearbox with only four hours to go?
For 20 of the 56 entries in this weekend’s 81st edition of the world’s most famous endurance race there is one question that has a straightforward answer. When it comes to dampers, there is no hesitation choosing Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damping technology. Not only is it the most popular damping system on the grid, but DSSV also has the most compelling case for synchronising performance and repeatability.
Le Mans offers not only top class competition but also represents the pinnacle of engineering skill on a global scale. The battles on the track are matched by those in the pits and engineering offices of the paddock. For every sinew a driver stretches at Tertre Rouge or Maison Blanche, an engineer has pushed his or her intellectual knowledge just as far, all in the pursuit of improved mechanical grip and technical perfection.
The 20 users of Multimatic DSSV damping systems at Le Mans this weekend are eight Ferrari GTE entries, two Porsche GTs, three Zytek LMP2s, two HPD LMP2s and five Lolas. Each of these respected and proud brands will be benefitting from enhanced mechanical grip on the famed 8.469 mile La Sarthe track courtesy of DSSV. This proven damping technology from Multimatic has revolutionised the damper market over the last decade and has become the technology of choice for professional race teams the world over.
“As a mathematically pure damper, DSSV gives response to customers before it is even built,” says Damian O’Flynn, Vehicle Systems Manager at Multimatic Technical Centre Europe. “Once the damper configuration and package is determined we can use our in-house mathematical modelling software to determine force/velocity characteristics. This software is supplied with the dampers free of charge allowing for integration of the modelled damper into end users simulation systems.”
The way DSSV manages hydraulic flow makes it very insensitive to high temperatures. Having all the desirables a professional team wants from a high performance damper, DSSV has evidenced its durability and is perfect for an endurance test like Le Mans, staying true to Multimatic’s ‘Strength Through Technology’ vision.
The Multimatic DSSV system can also incorporate additional features and on some entries at Le Mans these are improving aero stability under braking and acceleration. G-sensors fitted to the rear dampers incorporate additional hydraulic flow devices that give the driver more stability under braking and acceleration. Hydraulic pitch control at the front of the car also improves grip levels through the vast variety of corners on the Le Mans circuit.
An added element for Multimatic at Le Mans this year will be its increased support of the Lola entries. Last December a deal was announced that confirmed Multimatic as the official engineering company for the well-known British constructor. Five Lola’s will contest the 81st edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, two of which are entered in LMP1. The Rebellion Racing LMP Lola-Toyota entries have benefited from Multimatic engineered aerodynamic and vehicle systems updates so far this season and will be aiming for a second consecutive LMP privateer success at Le Mans.
Competing in LMP2 will be a Lola each for HVM Status, Gulf Racing and DKR Engineering. A Multimatic Engineering team will be at the track supporting its customers throughout the week at Le Mans, working towards building upon the six class wins at Le Mans in the past five years.
Overseeing the Multimatic motorsport business from Le Mans onwards will be George Howard-Chappell. A well-known engineer throughout the paddocks of the world, George joins Multimatic as Motorsports Business Director after over a decade masterminding Aston Martin Racing’s motorsport programmes. Prior to that, Howard-Chappell worked at Lotus in both Formula One and GT racing, where he specialised in chassis development.
About Multimatic:
Multimatic is a privately held global corporation supplying components, systems and services to the automotive industry. The company is headquartered in Markham,Ontario,Canada, and has operating divisions in North America, Europe and Asia with manufacturing partners in South America and Australia. Multimatic’s core competencies lie in the manufacture of stampings, welded assemblies, mechanisms, and suspension components, as well as the design and development of automotive body / chassis systems.
For more information, please contact:
George Howard-Chappell
Motorsports Business Director
ghoward-chappell@multimatic.com
Mobile: +44 (7887) 631857
Stephen Charsley
Manager – Motorsport Business Development
scharsley@multimatic.com
Mobile: +1 (704) 657-8143
Jonathan Vinden
Director of Communications
Multimatic Inc.
65 Valleywood Drive
Markham, Ontario
Canada
L3R 5L9
Tel. +1 905 470 0025
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