- The IRL IndyCar Series has announced its 2012 engine rules.
- The series will be open to 4- and 6-cylinder engines up to 2.4 liters.
- The formula is designed to entice a variety of engine manufacturers to compete.
INDIANAPOLIS — The new engine formula for the IRL IndyCar Series will be open to a variety of configurations in the hope of attracting a variety of manufacturers as participants.
The formula, which goes into effect in 2012, will accommodate both four- and six-cylinder engines with displacements as large as 2.4 liters — a marked change from the spec 3.5-liter V8 that Honda now supplies to all competitors in the series.
It also represents a different direction for IndyCar in comparison with both NASCAR and Formula 1, where engines — even though they are built by multiple manufacturers — are virtually identical in their basic design architecture.
The new IRL engine will be turbocharged, and the series will continue to use ethanol as its fuel.
Rules will be structured to maintain balanced competition, according to Brian Barnhart, IRL president of competition.
"We will require reference engines as a benchmark in performance while looking at sonic air restrictors, fuel flow restrictions and more as key criteria for competition," Barnhart said.
"We feel this new engine strategy is open, inclusive, powerful and high performance, in keeping with the historical values associated with Indy-car racing," said 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, team owner representative on the committee that is formulating the next set of rules for the series.
"Additionally it poses relevant challenges to which the automotive industry faces today," said Ferran, who won the 2003 Indianapolis 500.
Yet to be decided are rules governing the next-generation chassis.
Inside Line says: Nothing could be better for IndyCar racing than to get global auto manufacturers battling against each other in America's most famous and storied automobile race. — David Green, Correspondent
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csubowtie says:
11:05 AM, 06/04/2010
Anything to add a little variety to these cars. Sounds like a great move.
tkd0706 says:
07:43 AM, 06/04/2010
I'm pretty sure Izod paid lots of money so that people will stop referring to it as IRL Indycar series. It's the Izod IndyCar Series, and I'm pretty sure they really want to get away from the IRL name.