INDYCAR unveils exciting images of 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series car design.
Announced in Indianapolis on Wednesday 29th March the exciting latest pics of the design of the car to be used in Verizon IndyCar Series competition in 2018 is coming more into focus.
INDYCAR, sanctioning body for the premier North American open-wheel racing series, released new images today of the universal aerodynamic bodywork kit that will be used by all competitors in 2018. Following along with this year's INDYCAR theme of "NEXT," the computer-generated images are the next evolution of the car's development process and provide more detail than concept sketches released in January.
"While this remains a work in progress, we are encouraged with where the development of the 2018 car stands," said Jay Frye, INDYCAR president of competition and operations. "The look of the car is bold, the performance data from simulations is meeting targeted goals and safety enhancements built into the design will be substantial."
Frye said INDYCAR is on target to begin testing the car by mid-summer. Verizon IndyCar Series teams will still choose between Chevrolet and Honda engines for competition next season, but all cars will be outfitted with the universal kit that covers the Dallara IR-12 chassis that has been used since the 2012 season. As with the current aero kits provided by Chevrolet and Honda through the end of this season, the universal car will come in two configurations: one for superspeedway ovals and the other for street courses, road courses and short ovals.
The supplier of the universal kit has yet to be announced, but its look is sleek and reminiscent of past Indy car favorites. Tino Belli, INDYCAR director of aerodynamic development, said the kit has been successfully reverse-designed to start with its desired appearance and build in functionality from there.
"We've been working on the aerodynamics to suit the look, rather than the other way around," Belli said.
A key component of the new car is for it to generate most of its downforce from underneath instead of on top. This will improve racing and passing opportunities by decreasing the turbulent air that the Indy car leaves in its wake.
"We're working on creating more of the downforce from the underwing," Belli said. "The hole in the floor (of the undertray on this year's car) will be sealed for the road courses and short ovals, but will still be open for the superspeedways."
Belli added that simulations show the new car meets INDYCAR's aerodynamic targets and additional safety enhancements include side impact structures in the sidepods and repositioned radiators to assist in reducing the severity of side impacts by crushing on impact.
Other noticeable features in the new car images include a lower engine cover that provides "a more traditional Indy car look," according to Belli. Turbocharger inlets are moving to the inside of the radiator inlet ducts.
The rear wing and front wing main plane are smaller in the new car look and the centerline wicker from the nose of the car to the cockpit is tapered. The rear wing in the road course/short oval configuration is lower and wider. The fins on the leading edge of the sidepods of the current car will be removed or minimized on the 2018 car.
Though there is still work to be done, Belli feels that INDYCAR has achieved "97 percent" of its goals when it set out to create the new car's look and efficiency.
Things certainly seem to be progressing and in a great way as well. Its sure to be a very exciting 12 months as we await the new design.
Expected Entires for the 101st Indy 500.
Pre race at Indy May 2016.
The field for May's 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 just got a little bigger.
On Tuesday this week, Dale Coyne Racing announced that is bringing back Pippa Mann for the fifth straight year.
Mann's addition brings the unofficial car count for the 500 to 28 and there will be more to follow.
Remember, some teams are expected to add more cars -- and other teams could join the fray -- but here's where things stand as of Tuesday, March 28.
Team Penske will have a massive FIVE entrants: Juan Montoya, Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Simon Pagenaud.
Chip Ganassi Racing will have its series four entrants: Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball.
Andretti Autosport will have four entrants: Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Takuma Sato and Alexander Rossi. I wonder if that may become five with drivers such as Townsend Bell to join in as he has the past few years.
Ed Carpenter Racing will have two entrants: Ed Carpenter and J.R. Hildebrand.
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports will have three entrants: James Hinchcliffe, Mikhail Aleshin and Jay Howard (sponsored by Tony Stewart Foundation).
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will have two entrants: Graham Rahal and Oriol Servia.
Dale Coyne Racing will have three entrants: Sebastian Bourdais, Ed Jones and Pippa Mann.
A.J. Foyt Racing with have two entrants:Carlos Munoz and Conor Daly. Could this increase to the three they have run in the past few years by adding Alex Tagliani in recent times?
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will have one entrant: Sage Karam.
Juncos Racing will have one entrant (confirmed, but could still be two in the ex KV cars) with a driver to be named .
Stefan Wilson will also compete in the Indy500, but he has yet to declare a team.
Its shaping up and the 101st will be equal to any other 500 -- why because simply this its the Indy 500!
IndyCar Media Release ex Indy Car Media Services and Indy 500 Entry as currently know and Photo ex the 100th indy 500 and the David Turner Collection
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