INDIANAPOLIS — Safety, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness — the usual suspects in racecar concepts these days — are the hallmarks of the formula released Thursday by the Indy Racing League as it works on development of its next-generation racing car.
Other elements in the formula include a requirement for the car to be built in America, to have a "modern look" and to emphasize technology that is relevant to the consumer auto industry.
Brian Barnhart, president of competition and racing operations, said the league has been working for two years with designers at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
"For the last year we have engaged in ongoing conversations with four chassis makers on two different design tracks," Barnhart said. "Now we are receiving concepts and will make a decision soon."
This will be the third generation of the IRL machine. The series utilized the existing IndyCar chassis and turbocharged V8 engine in its first season in 1996, and then introduced its first redesign, based on chassis built by Dallara of Italy and G Force of Tonawanda, New York.
Dallara is currently the only chassis supplier.
Thursday's press release did not elaborate on the specification of a "modern look," other than to call for more space for sponsor logos and "cars that are easily identifiable."
Inside Line says: NASCAR's experience with its "Car of Tomorrow" has demonstrated that updating the equipment can be a dicey proposition. Artists' renderings have been as radical as many of the concept cars at auto shows. We'll have to wait and see what results. — David Green, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
kurt_ says:
03:54 PM, 02/05/2010
Facts?
Art Center is better than CCS.
cz75 says:
12:01 PM, 02/05/2010
Yeah, with no facts, this article is worthless.
subytrojan says:
08:58 AM, 02/05/2010
Some facts please?