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KlüstérFøk
champcarguru
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
Posts: 1024
Location: out there... in a frozen tundra... pissing against the wind...
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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject: Changes Are Coming By 2012 !!! |
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| Motorsport.com wrote: |
Changes afoot in united series
By Tony DiZinno
The blending of Champ Car assets into the unified IndyCar Series has focused mainly on the driver and team additions. However, not to be overlooked are what all the teams and fans have to look forward to, a bevy of new technical and series regulations that should only enhance the competition.
Road and street courses now play as their most integral role since joining the schedule in 2005, with a total of eight in nineteen races (one, Surfer's Paradise, Australia, is likely a non-championship event in October). To coincide with the increase in right turns as well as left, IndyCar has introduced paddle shifts for all circuits and a variable steering rack for the road/street tracks. Those making the transition from Champ Car will be immediately familiar with the paddle shifts as they were present on their Panoz DP01 chassis last season.
These systems were initially tested at an October session at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama by Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves and Darren Manning. The sequential shift system has been standard for IndyCars since the creation of the Indy Racing League back in 1996 but now it bites the dust for the paddle shifts.
"I think it makes the car easier to drive; it's not as difficult physically," Dixon said during the test. "In the race, you won't have people making as many mistakes (as using the sequential shift gearbox off the driver's right thigh). I prefer the sequential box that we had, but for safety and technology it's definitely the way to go. I think there's still room for improvement by smoothing out the shifts."
The structural integrity of the Dallara chassis has been debated in some instances, notably its occasional propensity for lifting off. Last year's series champion Dario Franchitti demonstrated that on consecutive weekends last year. However to increase safety measures, Dallara is adjusting its car to insure the driver cockpit is the most secure and safe it can be.
Side intrusion panels in the cockpit have been added to the cars over the winter, according to FIA specifications. The ten-pound panels are composed of Zylon, a high-tensile material used for the cars' suspensions over the last ten seasons. The Zylon reinforces the cockpit and overall strength of the chassis.
"We thought it would be a very good application for our Indy Pro Series cars and IndyCar Series cars because we believed it would significantly improve the structural integrity of the chassis," Indy Racing League senior technical director Les Mactaggart noted. "Currently, the chassis is very strong because we have another regulation that we build the chassis to. This is really icing on the cake."
For those unable to make the races in person, the ABC/ESPN television package is revamping its arsenal to provide the best possible coverage. Start with an unchanged reporting crew, Marty Reid and Scott Goodyear again in the booth, as well as Jack Arute, Vince Welch and Brienne Pedigo in pit lane. More importantly, all races will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN HD, with the latest innovation a rotating 360-degree on-board HD camera that is the first of its kind.
The cameras, roughly the size of a lip balm case, will be present on about six cars per race with up to 10 for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 in May. Last year's '500 was the first IRL IndyCar race to be broadcast in HD. The cameras are not cheap though, as this will cost series production company IMS Productions upwards of $10 million for the endeavor.
Speaking of Indianapolis, its traditional qualifying format of four cumulative timed laps will no longer be unique just to the Speedway. The IRL has adopted the Indy-style qualifying mode for ovals this season, replacing the usual form of two timed laps with the fastest proving the driver's qualifying time. Series veterans are mostly upbeat about the switch, however it remains to be seen if the pressure of assembling four great laps will cause any of the less-experienced oval drivers great distress.
"I think it is good and will be very intriguing for the fans," Dan Wheldon said of the change. "It will definitely spice up the action a little bit, and it will put more pressure on the teams." Perhaps a more realistic viewpoint was offered by Penske's Ryan Briscoe, the Aussie in his second go-round of full-time IndyCar racing. "It will make us work harder and we will have to make several set-up changes during practice," Briscoe said. "Also, it will give us more to think about in qualifying and keep us very busy on the shorter ovals."
The last change of note relates to the Firestone Indy Lights Series, the resurrected name for the former Indy Pro Series since its inception in 2002. Indy Lights was the formula just below Champ Car from 1986 to 2001, and its notable alumni include current IndyCar drivers Dixon, Castroneves, Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Oriol Servia and Townsend Bell. The Indy Lights series still maintains the Dallara-Infiniti package and a 16-race schedule; ironically series director Roger Bailey was the man behind the original Indy Lights class as well. |
And not to mention that next year we will see some more road/street races added while some ovals will get dropped. And many Lemmings will turn away to follow NASCAB then.
Also worth noting is the fact of cost = currently it runs about $5.5mil per car - and with added races next year it will be about $7mil !!!
So the dilemma will be whether some new sponsors will jump in when they'll see slight increase in TV ratings or not. Otherwise some lesser teams will fold and we'll be back to struggling having a 20+ car field.  
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seabass
champcarmanic
Joined: 07 Dec 2005
Posts: 696
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:33 am Post subject: |
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| You couldn't be more factually wrong on the cost situation. The only reason the IRL costs more than CC did is because of the ovals and crash damaged oval cars are almost a given. If you change the schedule to being predominately road courses, in my opinion you have lowered the cost substantially. Don't have to worry about losing a tub or a motor normally at the road racing events. |
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thunderroad
champcarmanic
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 918
Location: snowboarding in Manitoba
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:27 am Post subject: |
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| Plus I guess the crappy teams can count on TEAM bux. |
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zerO
champcarslut
Joined: 24 Jul 2004
Posts: 6576
Location: Where The Buffalo Roam & Close to the edge down by the ocean...
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| seabass wrote: | | You couldn't be more factually wrong on the cost situation. The only reason the IRL costs more than CC did is because of the ovals and crash damaged oval cars are almost a given. If you change the schedule to being predominately road courses, in my opinion you have lowered the cost substantially. Don't have to worry about losing a tub or a motor normally at the road racing events. |
The calculated cost per season includes: two tubs and spare parts, engines, facilities rent, team labor, transportation costs, and assorted fees... no crash scenarios are included -> what happens now is that with an increased schedule the cost automatically raises - that is pretty logical to me... ofcourse, when you have Scheckter, or Briscoe, or Foyt#4 on your team then you are fucked for at least another mil in spare parts on top of that... 
zerO
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thunderroad
champcarmanic
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 918
Location: snowboarding in Manitoba
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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Not to mention the costs for the track owners are going up.. More cars = more frequent SAFER barrier repairs... and the new retarded qualifying rules for ovals..  |
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KlüstérFøk
champcarguru
Joined: 21 Jan 2007
Posts: 1024
Location: out there... in a frozen tundra... pissing against the wind...
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:25 am Post subject: |
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| Motorsport.com wrote: |
IRL executives pleased with reunification progress
By Joe Jennings
Indy Racing League executives Tony George, Brian Barnhart and Terry Angstadt met with the media Saturday to discuss progress to date with the unification of the Indy Racing League and Champ Car.
The three leaders stated they are pleased with the results to date and heaped praise on those who have contributed to the massive effort taken place since the reunification was agreed upon.
"It has been going pretty well," George, the IRL's chief executive officer, said. "Everyone has worked hard to manage the traffic and the logistics involved in trying to get the equipment to the Champ Car teams coming on board. The Champ Car teams have had a really big challenge to get where they are. While it has been tough on everyone, it will be a much better situation for the Indianapolis 500 in May."
The IRL founder said he can't wait for the season to begin.
In particular, the trio praised the cooperation and the contributions of the IndyCar teams that have provided cars, spare parts and technical support to the Champ Car teams. Eight Champ Car teams came to Homestead this week and seven were on the track for the first round of IndyCar practice. Graham Rahal's team withdrew after an early-week practice crash damaged the Newman-Haas entry.
"It has been a daunting challenge," Barnhart stated. "It has been a challenge in a lot of ways, and it will be a challenge to our drivers to learn the tendencies of the Champ Car drivers. One-third of the field is new and the regulars will have to learn more about them in race conditions. At today's drivers' meeting I preached to everyone to give extra room when passing cars." But he is concerned with what may happen in race conditions.
Going forward, car limitations for races may well come into play. The Indianapolis 500 is limited to 33 starters, and the larger ovals and the road courses are limited to 28 cars while the tracks in Milwaukee, Richmond and Iowa are limited to 26 cars, so it is possibility that cars will fail to qualify for a given event.
Dallara, the chassis manufacturer, has been one of the key contributors and they have been working overtime to prepare for the new entries. "Dallara is working flat out," Barnhart said. "After Indianapolis, Dallara can build four cars a month, which will allow them to slowly catch-up on their work."
Regarding the 2008 schedule, the executives indicated that two additional races, Edmonton and Australia, may be added as the season progresses.
Looking into the future, George said, "We want it to be a diverse series, much like CART had a while back, but we want to make certain oval tracks are a key part of it."
In the upcoming years, they said 18 to 22 races are possible and for conjecture, it could be a mix of six ovals, six road courses and six street courses. But they emphasized substantive work and negotiations are necessary before schedules are addressed. Also, international races will be considered for Mexico or elsewhere.
"The 2009 season presents the opportunity for us to really look at where the series' best opportunities for growth are," George added.
Regarding the newly adopted driver weight compensation rules, Barnhart said he is not overly comfortable with the rules as adopted. Each driver was weighed before the season started, and no one will be re-weighed as the season progresses. As presented, categories and sub-categories of adjustments (car weight additions) have been established for lighter weight drivers, another category for drivers of average weight and a final category for heavier drivers (car weight subtractions). |
And whether the series sponsor is found or not the name will change to "Indy Car World Series" !!! 
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SeventhGear
champcarguru
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 1500
Location: Bermuda Triangle
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| Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:20 am Post subject: |
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Qualifying altered => http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~4~id~161519.htm
So now we have F1 like qual format - standing starts coming soon.
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Anybody who listens to Gentilozzi about anything needs to get their heads examined !! - Robin Miller
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thunderroad
champcarmanic
Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 918
Location: snowboarding in Manitoba
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| Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| You could hold 24 hours of qualifying and it still wouldn't improve on the fact you are racing crap cars on road courses.. snooooozefest. |
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zerO
champcarslut
Joined: 24 Jul 2004
Posts: 6576
Location: Where The Buffalo Roam & Close to the edge down by the ocean...
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| Ligier_AL wrote: | | Quote: | The IRL could introduce a redesigned car for the 2010 season. CEO Tony George says the chances are "greater than 50-50" the new model could run a turbocharged engine after several years of the series using normally aspirated motors. George says turbocharged engines could attract manufacturers to the IRL, which has only Honda as an engine supplier.
"Now with conservancy and being more efficient environmentally, (turbocharging) has some benefits ... and it might be a more relevant platform" for manufacturers, he says. |
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/irl/2008-04-27-kansas-irl_N.htm
Maybe King George's sense is finally turning around with the help of Kevin Kalkhoven. |
TG never had any sense to begin with and I doubt he's capable of acquiring some... otoh, don't give a flying fuck... 
zerO
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Xplex Remix 96
champcarfan
Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Posts: 58
Location: Eastern Long Island
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| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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I hope that by 2010 . the irl goes turbo and cosworth comes back in to the picture and also hope for the irl to sign these tracks Laguna Seca , Burke Lakefront Airport , Exhibition Place , Portland International Raceway , and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and some others . they already signed contracts with . Long Beach , Edmonton , Surfers Paradise . for ovals i hope the bring back Michigan International Speedway , California Speedway. they should also run the road courses/Street courses like Champ Car did and run it as a timed event and the ovals with as a laps event
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