INDYCAR details aero kit plans, competition strategy and timeline

[Source: INDYCAR press release; subheadings added to highlight points addressed]

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INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, June 2, 2013) – In its continued effort to open the door to increased technical innovation in its cars and further its longstanding effort to improve safety in open-wheel racing, INDYCAR outlined today its long-term IZOD IndyCar Series competition strategy. The timeline begins immediately and runs through the 2021 season.

Efforts to reduce lift in impacts. Immediate initiatives include INDYCAR and Dallara looking to reduce the surface area of the underbody of the current chassis to reduce the potential for lift in preparation for the addition of various aerodynamic configurations in 2015. The project is underway and will conclude this fall.

Aero kits. Aero configuration kits will be introduced and utilized for all races on the 2015 schedule and include specifications for superspeedway and road/street/short oval configurations.

Areas open for development by INDYCAR-approved aero configuration kit manufacturers could include sidepods, engine cover and front and rear wing end plates. Mainplane inclusion in aero configuration kits is dependent on underwing development and will be determined at a later date. INDYCAR expects to announce manufacturer participation in July.

“This is the first step in making the incremental changes to our cars toward further enhancing speed, innovation and safety,” said Derrick Walker, president of competition and operations, INDYCAR. “As we continue to look at all methods of advancing safety and competition, our initial task it to prepare our current chassis for the further increases of speed we hope to see with the addition of new aero configurations in 2015.”

Competition strategy and timeline. Initiatives outlined as part of the IZOD IndyCar Series long-term strategy include:

· 2013 – INDYCAR and Dallara look to reduce the surface area of the underbody of the current chassis to reduce the potential for lift in preparation for the addition of various aerodynamic configurations in 2015.

· 2014 – Engine upgrades as part of the current homologation process; downforce adjustments to enhance racing, overtaking as well as safety at various racetrack configurations, as needed.

· 2015 – Aero configuration components introduced for the full IZOD IndyCar Series season in conjunction with potential enhancements to the underbody.

· 2016 – Opportunity for tire development, if needed, with Firestone, as well as engine power enhancements as required.

· 2017 – Possible aero configuration kits and engine upgrades. Potential for areas on car to be opened for team development.

· 2018 – Competition enhancements made based on performance of 2017 package.

· 2019 – Potential introduction of new body style and engine formula.

· 2020 – Competition enhancements made based on performance of 2019 package.

· 2021 – Possible aero configuration upgrade.

“Our long-term competition strategy is designed to build on the foundation of our current package with progressive and methodical enhancements in conjunction with our manufacturers, teams and drivers,” added Walker. “Always with an eye towards safety, our timeline will build on our already exciting product and create opportunities for us to move the performance barrier forward through enhancements designed to balance the longevity of our current car-engine platform as we build toward the next generation IndyCar package.”