A cross between a sports car & a motorcycle...

[IndyAndy]

Interesting tidbit from Curt Cavin at the Indianapolis Star today regarding what sounds like the front-runner in the contest to be the next generation of IndyCar chassis.

Indianapolis Star

Christopher Estrada at MVN points out that, if it comes to pass, this could give Ganassi quite an (unfair?) advantage in the short term.

MVN.com

[f1fan-sky]

I'm trying to picture what this new car will look like, but at the moment I'm at a loss. Interesting.

[skidmark]

I came across this article which I thought more than a tad interesting ...

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/a...polis-500.html

You'll have to scroll down to see the concept ... forward swept wings ... I was wondering when someone would try that on a race car.

[MSulka]

Thanks Skid... I found that concept photo the most interesting aspect of the whole article. And it looks cool, so I'd say race it.

Otherwise its 10 different quotes from 10 different people talking about 10 different things. With no solution.

And that's the problem.

There is no consensus on the next step forward and there hasn't been since the 1990s.

I've always said... If you want to slow the cars down, take away some fuel... and open up the rule book.

Only allow 10 gallon fuel tanks, and 50 gallons for 500 miles, and the boys will get quite creative, and the cars won't be running 220.

And the manufacturers might find that quite interesting.

And its easy to stage in.

But then... the cars aren't probably racing side-by-side anymore.

Do you(we) really want that ?

[skidmark]

The concept strikes me as a winged variant of the chassis we saw floating around the net a few months back. I think the front wing is too high to be really effective but the ground effects on this rig mid ship should be awesome.

The sense I gather from what has been put out in the public space is that we'll be looking at smaller turbocharged engines (say I4) and probably smaller cars in order to get the speed back up to the 225 range.

The whole spec chassis thing has me twisting in the wind as it were. I can understand the cost benefits involved with a single source builder, but I'd really like Indycar to allow the teams some tinkering room in terms of the aero. Allow the cars to look different and at least bring back innovation on a smaller scale. The tradition of Indycar was built on the efforts of guys tinkering around in garages attempting to build a better buggy.

You're probably right in that it would spread out the field, but that's going to happen with different engines as well. They are not going to all have the same performance not matter how hard they work the rulebook.

[DBK927]

The article mentions a return to innovation and technology.
That's what we all want, but I just don't see that happening.
This sport will not compete on that type of field like F-1. The only series left with I&T in existence.

[Insighter]

Originally Posted by DBK927

F-1. The only series left with I&T in existence.

Uh, ever heard of LeMans or the ALMS? Significantly more I&T than F-1. F-1 has spec electronics, tires, and frozen engine development.

[Insighter]

Originally Posted by MSulka

Only allow 10 gallon fuel tanks, and 50 gallons for 500 miles, and the boys will get quite creative, and the cars won't be running 220.

And the manufacturers might find that quite interesting.

And its easy to stage in.

But then... the cars aren't probably racing side-by-side anymore.

I think IMSA (or some sportscar series in the US) tried that in the 1980s and yes, the result was boring racing. The concept is good but how do you show the fans something too?

[MSulka]

Originally Posted by Insighter

the fans

This is the difficult part isn't it ? It used to be OK for someone to win a race. Now the win has to be measured by .0XX to be a great race for many.

My how things have changed, and that's IndyCars biggest challenge. That 'fan' expectation.

[cptkablamo]

First thing I thought of when I saw this headline was the Radical 1100 Clubsport...the first car to really successfully marry sportscars and motorcycles...given the sportscar appearance and a reliable and fast motorcycle engine in the back... http://www.motorsportads.com/assets/...8116-70978.jpg

It will be interesting to see what they come in with. I do hope it is radical (ha bad pun) and not an evolution of the current car. It also needs to be cheap - and if it can be cheap then there is no reason why it has to be an evolution.

As for Ganassi having an advantage - as if they aren't going to anyway, but I am sure they will be fair minded and ICS will just have to monitor the situation.

I also hope that if they want 'innovation' and 'green' they just don't limit the fuel they are given. I think we all realised in the 1980s that this won't work.

Fan expectation - will the collective 'fan' ever be satisfied? or is there just too much negative history to make this thing work?

[IndyAndy]

Here is "the latest" on the mystery car:

speedtv.com

Looks like this is the clear front-runner for the 2012 chassis right now.

[DBK927]

Originally Posted by Insighter

Uh, ever heard of LeMans or the ALMS? Significantly more I&T than F-1. F-1 has spec electronics, tires, and frozen engine development.

OK, I can agree with your response.
I guess I long for the days of I&T,plus "run what ya brung" mentality of what Indy use to be like.

[diamonddave]

Ugggh...it's an 'out there' design for sure. I'm not saying I totally hate
but it seems like it has alot of tunnel or ground effects to it

any off you guys remember that Clint Eastwood movie/plane - Firefox

[IndyAndy]

Chip Ganassi says that the public will get to see Bowlby's creation next month - 4th paragraph down:

espn.com

[SecaSage]

After everything I've read tonight, it better be a game changer.