INDYCAR upholds turbocharger decision

[Source: INDYCAR press release]

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, April 26, 2012) – Today, following a hearing on the issues, a three-person panel denied a protest filed April 18 and upheld INDYCAR’s decision to approve use of a 0.74 A/R compressor cover for the single turbocharger.

The hearing of the protest was conducted by a panel consisting of Hans Peter Kollmeier, Jack Snyder and Jim Voyles.

Per Rule 13.3.2 of the IZOD IndyCar Series rulebook, the decision may be appealed by 5 p.m. (EDT) of the second business day following the release of the decision.

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[Source: Honda Performance Development press release]

STATEMENT FROM STEVE ERIKSEN, VICE PRESIDENT, HONDA PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT, FOLLOWING THURSDAY’S RULING BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL CONVENED BY INDYCAR REGARDING A PROTEST FILED BY GENERAL MOTORS:

We are gratified that an independent panel has upheld INDYCAR’s ruling of April 18, 2012, which approved use of the 0.74 A/R compressor cover for single-turbocharged engines competing in this year’s IZOD IndyCar Series. INDYCAR committed well in advance of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season to structure engine regulations that would ensure parity in turbocharger performance for both single and twin turbo configurations, and this commitment played a significant role in our decision to adopt a single turbocharger configuration for the new HI12RT Honda Indy V-6.

The new compressor cover helps to offset the performance disadvantage of the current IndyCar single turbo hardware as measured by INDYCAR’s turbo supplier. This correction was designed and provided by the turbo supplier under the direction of IndyCar and was approved prior to the 2012 season.

We look forward to deploying the new compressor cover to optimize performance of the Honda Indy V-6, as we continue to do battle with our worthy adversaries from Lotus and General Motors.

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[Source: Chevrolet press release]

Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports:

“Chevrolet filed a protest as permitted by the IndyCar rules to an April 18th decision by IndyCar to allow a modification to the turbocharger used by another engine manufacturer. Chevrolet believed the modification was contrary to the applicable series rules, and asked IndyCar to thoroughly review the issue so that the rules were applied fairly. We respect the diligence of the panel appointed to hear the protest and examine the situation. While we are disappointed with today’s decision, we are prepared to continue to compete at the highest level in the IZOD IndyCar Series.”