The award was given this past weekend during the 2012 Autosport Awards, and considered to be the motorsport industry’s “Oscars” held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane, UK.

The first Nissan DeltaWing driver, Marino Franchitti, presented the award to DeltaWing Designer Ben Bowlby during the evening.

“While the car wasn’t eligible to collect any trophies in its two races so far, it is very rewarding that the industry and the media recognize the significance of the project,” Bowlby said. “I can honestly say I’ve never done anything so cool in my life. The Nissan DeltaWing is all about efficiency and we hope this car can play a part in shaping the future of the sport.

The Nissan DeltaWing features the performance of contemporary Le Mans sports cars but consumes only half their fuel and tires, using roughly half of their power, aerodynamic drag and weight.

“There are many people who have played key roles in the development of the car but I have to say a big thanks to Don Panoz’s Garage 56 consortium with DeltaWing Racing Cars, and of course the ACO. Nissan and Michelins’ contributions were imperative. It took a huge leap of faith from them to really make this car possible. Both signed on at a time when we had plenty of doubters saying the car wouldn’t go around corners” continued Bowlby.

Awards are abundant for this new type of race car. The car has already won EVO magazine’s Innovation Award; was voted Automobile magazine’s Racing Car of the Year and received the Popular Science Best of What’s New Award.

Ben Bowlby has also received the Simms Medal from the Royal Automobile Club and the Dino Toso Award for the world’s top racing aerodynamicist, awarded by Race Tech magazine.

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