i think its some sort of supercharger - forced induction set up

The rules say:

"ARTICLE 53: Carburetor
Free vertical shooting, a mouth up to 40mm. Throat diameter, with tolerance of 0'07 mm in diameter or less. Throat is defined from the axis of the throttle butterfly to the base. The coupling of the carburetor to the manifold is open, you can not use any electrical or mechanical device to force entry or exit of air flow. Free acceleration command.

Article 54: Air Filter
Free. It allows the use of dynamic takes on the hood and / or carburetor air must come naturally. Not be used any mechanical or electrical component that forces the entry of the airflow to the carburetor.

ARTICLE 51: Intake and Exhaust
Free. Not be used any electronic or mechanical device to force entry or exit of air flow. In the intake manifold, plus the inflow from the carburetor may be used for automobiles gicleur air intake gauge. The leak may do the perimeter of the car more than 50% of the diameter. The exhaust outlet should not be directed towards the ground."

Which doesn't really explain it...

this is what I thought it was when I saw it.

mmm ok, it's still forced induction just not electric or mechanical it'll have more power the faster you go

I was wondering about those inlet manifolds a couple of days ago. That weird 'log' shape, and the very long inlet pipes don't make any sense, unless there's something else going on that we don't know about.

another 2/3cv with a similar set up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzeazVnj ... re=related

Psychological warfare.

Yes, that's what I thought. From my most basic understanding, long inlet tracts mean more torque? that doesn't account for the odd shape, I'd have thought the ideal would be a long, straight-ish pipe from the carb into each head, but that chamber between the two inlet pipes makes me wonder what's going on...

Russell,
guess it's their version of a plenum chamber...

Regarding that 'ram air' business, the probable gain would be in the order of 0.5% at 75mph.
On aircraft it works much better, with about 15% gain at 350mph.
To have any chance of working, the intake should be a diffuser, with the intake widening as it approaches the carburettor.

ken