2012 IndyCar Chassis Concepts

[DanicaFan]

The Indy Racing League is planning on having a new chassis design by 2012. They have been talking to Dallara, Delta Wing, Lola, and Swift. They are looking at a chassis that is more cost efficient, more sponsor logo area, lighter, racier, and made in the USA, particularly Indiana.

Here are 3 concept chassis pictures. I personally like Concept 1 or 2. 1 being my favorite.

[diamonddave]

those are all dallara concepts...so sadly one of those will be chosen if barnhart is still in 'charge'

#1 looks like an early dallara with the airbox removed and doral fin added - F1 wanna be

#2 kinda reminds you of a DP-01

#3 this is beyond ugly

[IndyAndy]

These are Dallara's submissions for the 2012 chassis spec.

#1 is virtually the same as the present car.

IMO, #2 is the most pleasing to the eye, but #3 is the most 'radical' - at least for Dallara - so it probably has the best chance of being the one that the IRL will consider.

[Touchette]

I'm a fan of #2 and I keep going back and forth on whether #3 is ugly or not...

[MSulka]

http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid= 127583

More of these are coming.... Plus we've got photos from other angles.

[MSulka]

[cptkablamo]

Fail x3

Lets see what Swift & Lola does...

[skidmark]

Originally Posted by IndyAndy

These are Dallara's submissions for the 2012 chassis spec.

Pretty much confirmed here: http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing...ohn&id=4890502

Here's a thought, why doesn't the IRL put the concepts up for a vote ... you want off-season interest well sonny we've got you covered.

[DanicaFan]

Yeah, concept car #3 is downright hideous.

[Insighter]

Not a fan of any of those unfortunately..

[MSulka]

The orange one has the best opportunities for sponsors. BIG sidepod space angled towards the camera. Very nice. Though I like the Red concept.

Lola & swift are coming early next week. Delta on Wed (?) at Chicago Auto show.

[Maelochs]

The one thing #3 has going for it is safety, because the rear wheels are protected, so no launching in collisions. That is something I have heard some talk about.

Really, the only thing that matters is the wake. If the cars have huge dirty-air wakes so other cars can't follow, or if cars are so front-wing dependent that they can't follow in dirty air, then we will see the same racing we had last year: line up a shot from 1/8 mile back, make a run, get close, lose front traction, fall back, try again two laps later.

None of the "concepts" mean anything to me. Where is the engineering? I can draw pretty pictures, too. If all there was to having a great racing series was sketches, I'd have a dozen different successful series running right now.

What engineering advances have been made? How is the lower weight with equal safety to be achieved? How is downforce being produced? What makes the cars different, besides the skin?

Frankly, I don't much care what the pictures look like. Those will all be modified after CFD, and again after wind-tunnel testing, and again after track testing. This is all an exercise to undercut Delta Wing's debut, which is also, as far as I can tell, just a concept car, not even a runner (though at least functionally different.)

Basically, we are all dealing with automotive rumors.

Sorry, I am frustrated with IRL's progress. I realize they are doing it as fast as they can, and normally I can force myself to be patient, but now and then I boil over.

Thankfully they have a forward-thinking, media-savvy businessman CEO at least. Now if they would just promote Barnhardt to "Director of the Most Important Whatever," give him a big office, and shut off his phones.

[DanicaFan]

Delta Wing is set to reveal their chassis concept for IndyCar tomorrow.

Here is a preview but the car is covered up.

[IndyAndy]

Originally Posted by DanicaFan

Delta Wing is set to reveal their chassis concept for IndyCar tomorrow.

Here is a preview but the car is covered up.

If you go HERE you can see what one blogger claims are pictures of it.

If this is it, then I am less than happy. Look at how wide & LOOONG this thing is! How would you fit those 3 wide at Indy? How could 2 of those ever race side-by-side on a street course?

[cptkablamo]

I'd be more thinking, how could that RUN at a street course?

But if that is it, it is certainly different...now, just gotta wait for those official photos...

[Insighter]

Yikes. I hope that isn't the car.

[IndyAndy]

Originally Posted by Insighter

Yikes. I hope that isn't the car.

Well then, I'm afraid that I've got some bad news for you...

speedtv.com

[DanicaFan]

Here is Lola's design. It isnt bad either.

[Road America Fan]

Originally Posted by DanicaFan

Here is Lola's design. It isnt bad either.

+1 for the Lola.

[IndyAndy]

If I am understanding what I've read on-line correctly, Lola's submission differs from the others in that they also have plans for a new Indy Lights car, with several of the body parts being interchangeable with their IndyCar.

Should make for reduced costs for both series, as well as (hopefully) a reduced learning curve for drivers comming up from Lights.

[Road America Fan]

I just noticed something else on the Lola. They are going back to the CART style rollbar and lower profile cowling. I like that, it looks cleaner and more streamlined than the current car.

What I do not see is an air intake as they currently have on the IRL car. Is there a possibility they are going back to turbocharged engine and pop off valve? I hope.

[IndyAndy]

The IndyCar Series will be going back to a turbo-charged engine for 2012: I don't know if the pop-off valve is part of the plan or not.

[skidmark]

Originally Posted by IndyAndy

If I am understanding what I've read on-line correctly, Lola's submission differs from the others in that they also have plans for a new Indy Lights car, with several of the body parts being interchangeable with their IndyCar.

Should make for reduced costs for both series, as well as (hopefully) a reduced learning curve for drivers comming up from Lights.

From what I gather reading on the Lola is that the main components of the chassis will be usable in either series. Just change the sidepods, swap the engine out and presto instant graduation.

The idea from Lola's pitch is that it will make it easier for Lights teams to move up to the big series (and sell more parts since they basically get two series covered off by one design).

I think you're right in the sense that a driver moving up will only have to get used to the speed and HP of the bigger series to make the adjustment. Driver and crews should have a very good handle on the chassis characteristics when they decide to step it up.

I can also see this working out as no more scrambling for 33 cars for the 500 since they'll have about 40 runners who normally travel with the circus anyways. With the one offs and part timers that should make for some interesting qualifying rounds.

Mind you under that scenario Bump Day would mean getting bumped down to the Lights field. (Not entirely a bad thing ... )

[lookie]

If you look at lolas proposal the only commonality between the irl and the the lights chassis will be the tub. Therefore it is not a "cheap" upgrade but cheaper than buying a whole new car

[IndyAndy]

Just stumbled across this: The guy raises a very good point re: this 2012 spec chassis issue as a whole.

Indiana Business Journal

[cptkablamo]

Of course it won't...it will breathe as much life into the Series as the spec Panoz did to Champ Car. It will get people's attention for a little while, until they realise that the Dallara was not the real issue of why they didn't watch the Series...and sponsor and the remaining fan realise that the Series is still no better than a feeder Series in Europe.

What is needed is competition and I don't buy that everyone will gravitate to just one car. You can legislate against it...and you can legislate against costs to ensure they don't skyrocket. Then we might have the foundations to build a successful series upon.

[IndyAndy]

New life for the Delta Wing concept?

popoffvalve.com

It's certianly better than the original, at least. I can't wait to see his other variations.

[MSulka]

Just remember.. the Deltawing is a CONCEPT... not a car, not a manufacturer.

Thanks IndyAndy.... Its clear that someone out there gets it.

The concept is centered around 'openness' & cost & weight. 50% lighter, 50% less cost, and 50% less horsepower to achieve the same speeds. Plus build it in Indianapolis.

Basically, any team can change the 'concept', but any change they make must be made 'open'. Teams could have 20 different noses, 40 wings, 10 sidepods... to choose from after the first season for example. The opportunities for tweaking are then endless.

Any manufacturer can play in this field. Lola, Swift, Dallara.

The trick is for IndyCar to decide on a basic template all cars must fit.

[cptkablamo]

and right there is they beauty of an open source concept...

I think it takes the Grand Am concept to the next level - and logically should be more sustainable, provide a lot of different looking cars and could allow the inspired ideas back - but within a cost controlled and competition controlled environment...

[IndyAndy]

And now there is another player making their bid for the 2012 chassis contract?:

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...next-week.html

Impressive roster of guys who should know how to design a race car. Can't wait to see what they've come up with.