Katherine Legge talks development of DeltaWing and NASCAR aspirations

Daytona Beach, Fla - Following our discussion with Memo Rojas, we sat down (literally, we sat down on a Continental tire) with Katherine Legge.

Katherine and Memo both agree that the car feels much like an open-wheel car with Katherine saying that they've gotten the car to the point where it basically drives like an IndyCar, which she has plenty of experience with.

The final piece to the puzzle

She also hit on the gearbox issues, saying if they can work that out, then they will be a serious threat in TUDOR. "We've developed every aspect of the car in the two years we've been working on it," Legge told Motorsport.com. "We've brought the aero up to spec, the engine is awesome now ... The last piece of the puzzle really is the gearbox."

I absolutely know that speed-wise, we can win but we don't have total reliability with all the new parts yet

Katherine Legge on if the DeltaWing can win the Rolex 24

"The gearbox in the rear is brand new and we only got the chance to do a shakedown on Sunday at Road Atlanta with it, so we're still learning about how to make it as reliable as possible during the race.

An 'emotional' journey

Katherine has been a part of this program from almost the very start and so, it's not just a car to her. "I've been to almost every test so (the DeltaWing) is important to me and I feel like it's close to the heart. Everybody has poured their life and soul into it so it's been an emotional journey as much as anything else. We've worked really hard to actually get it to the point where we can contend for wins with it."

"I absolutely know that speed-wise, we can win but we don't have total reliability with all the new parts yet."

He brings a whole new fresh approach to it. It's really good to have somebody with his wealth of experience

Katherine Legge on Memo Rojas

Now, when it comes to unique and different race cars, most will bring up the DeltaWing, but some will note the fully electric single-seaters of the FIA Formula E championship. Katherine Legge is the only driver on the planet to have raced both.

A NASCAR future?

"Yeah, I think I'm the most diverse driver here (laughs)."

In an impromptu response, I added, "Yeah, basically everything ... So when are you going to do NASCAR?

"Oh I'd love to do NASCAR," Legge declared. Later, I wanted to know if there's any event she is really eying or car she'd like to drive and once again, the first thing she named was NASCAR, but of course, it all comes down to opportunities. "I'm working on an Indy 500 drive at the moment but first and foremost, you have to be focused on the programs that you're already doing, but who knows."

Formula E and Memo's influence

Back to Formula E, Katherine called it 'an exciting new concept.' "They've done a good job of bringing the racing to the people with the downtown street circuits and technologically wise, it's very forward thinking. It's very neat to be a part of."

One major difference the team has in 2015 is a so-called 'outsiders' take behind the wheel, that being Memo. "He brings a whole new fresh approach to it," Legge explained to Motorsport.com "It's really good to have somebody with his wealth of experience with a top team like Ganassi to our program."