2012 IndyCar Series Chassis Designs Unveiled...........

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By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.com
Friday, February 5, 2010


~~~Officials of the Indy Racing League have been in ongoing discussions with Dallara Automobili, DeltaWing, Lola and Swift about designing, manufacturing and supplying the IZOD IndyCar Series chassis scheduled to hit the racetrack for the 2012 season.

Dallara, which has supplied the third generation of IZOD IndyCar Series chassis since 2003, DeltaWing and longtime Indy car chassis manufacturers Lola and Swift have provided design concepts based on the league's eight objectives. The DeltaWing project will be unveiled to the media Feb. 10 at the Chicago Auto Show.

Dallara's initial conceptual designs are above along with this statement from the company:
--Discussions with league officials have resulted in a much lighter, more efficient car with less drag and more downforce. The design requires less horsepower to achieve the desired level of performance than its predecessor with greater fuel efficiency.
--Safety has been improved with increased resistance to frontal lift and improved yaw stability. Improved raceability also has been addressed in the design with less sensitive aerodynamics in traffic for better overtaking and the reduced incidence of wheel-to-wheel contact.
--The cost of the complete package to compete on a variety of racetracks (superspeedway, speedway, short oval, road course and temporary circuits) has been reduced to 55 percent of the current car cost. Teams will carry much smaller quantities of spares because it requires less parts specific to individual types of tracks, which is another cost-saving measure.
--The car will be manufactured and assembled in the United States, potentially in the new technology center Dallara is planning to open as part of the Speedway, Ind., redevelopment program, in an effort increase local industry in the area to support the program. Dallara produces the current IndyCar Series chassis, which has been in use since 2003.

"The new Dallara IndyCar will be built in Indianapolis, and it will set new standards in terms of safety, fuel efficiency, raceability, technology performance and cost containment," Gian Paolo Dallara said. "We will achieve all of these objectives. Dallara as a company, a trusted, credible, stable and loyal partner for the Indy Racing League for the past 12 years, commits to support, service and develop this new car by locating a dedicated facility in Indianapolis."

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By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.com
Monday, February 8, 2010


~~~~Officials of the Indy Racing League have been in ongoing discussions with Dallara Automobili, DeltaWing, Lola and Swift Engineering about designing, manufacturing and supplying the IZOD IndyCar Series chassis scheduled to hit the racetrack for the 2012 season.

Swift Engineering, Lola, Dallara and DeltaWing have provided design concepts based on the league's objectives. Dallara released images of its concepts Feb. 5 and Swift Engineering's are above. The DeltaWing project will be unveiled to the media Feb. 10 at the Chicago Auto Show.

San Clemente, Calif.-based Swift Engineering provided this news release:

American race car company Swift Engineering, Inc. is proud to announce key motorsport partnerships with industry-leading companies to further its bid to design and build the next generation race car chassis for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series.

"Given Swift is the leading U.S. race car design and manufacturing company and our 27‐year history was founded in motorsport, it is only natural that we aspire to partner with the nations' premier open‐wheel formula, the IZOD IndyCar Series," Jan Wesley Refsdal, Swift's president, said.

Key business alliances have been cemented between Swift and Cray Inc. (The Supercomputer Company), Indianapolis‐based Mark One Composites, Inc. and Cruden America, world leaders in motion racing simulators.

"Individually, each one of these partnerships is critical to Swift's continuing commitment to motorsport; however, collectively and in conjunction with one another they will help us set new industry standards in innovative design, manufacturing and support," Refsdal stated.

Swift's strategic industry partnerships were carefully selected and cultivated through a focused effort to realize the challenge the IZOD IndyCar Series has set for its next generation car.

Cray supercomputers will be used at Swift's facility to further enhance its capabilities in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), an important tool in the design and development of aerodynamic concepts. In conjunction with Swift's existing on‐site wind tunnel designs will be tested in accurate virtual models allowing for valuable driver feedback and performance data collection on Cruden's state‐of‐the‐art 3Ctr 6‐DOF motion racing simulator which is soon to be operational at Swift.

"Speed‐to‐market is critical in any business, but probably more so in racing as the green flag doesn't wait for anyone," Refsdal said. "Rapid development is just as much about the speed and quality of the design process as it is manufacturing. We are evolving our four‐year exclusive certified composite repair relationship with Mark One Composites, Inc. to provide further manufacturing and inventory support directly to teams from its Indianapolis‐based facility."

Swift is currently developing a detailed value proposition with finalized performance data and conceptual designs for IndyCar's consideration.

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By Dave Lewandowski - Indycar.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2010


~~~~ What's next? That's the phrase driving the masses, whether it's the iPad or clean technology. New is stale and even advertising new and improved has become passé. The DeltaWing Racing Cars concept for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series chassis, introduced to the media at the Chicago Auto Show, is definitely next. In fact, its name was generated from the Greek for change.

Incorporated into a sleek silver package are front wheels much closer together (24 inches) than the present car, a wider rear track (70 inches) and single fin that replaces the inverted aerofoil. Juxtaposed to concepts released in the past week by Dallara Automobil and Swift Engineering, and Lola's written plan, there's no mistaking that DeltaWing is the more radical of the two design paths identified last summer by Indy Racing League president of competition and racing operations Brian Barnhart.

"Today marks a fundamental shift in how race fans and the general public will view all racing cars in the future; this is a game changer" DeltaWing Racing Cars CEO Dan Partel said. "This radical prototype takes open-wheel racing to a new level from both an engineering standpoint and the overall spectator experience."

DeltaWing chief technology officer Ben Bowlby, chief engineer for Chip Ganassi Racing and a former Lola chief designer, said by targeting reduced aerodynamic drag and lighter weight, the DeltaWing design would offer high performance on the racetrack with only half the engine power of its recent predecessors (increasing the fuel efficiency).

Bowlby said he expects to "sell a complete car, including engine, for approximately $600,000." It would be built in Indianapolis, though Bowlby said DeltaWing Racing Cars would not be a chassis manufacturer. It would create a platform that would encourage multiple manufacturers and suppliers to contribute within the rules framework established by the DeltaWing concept.

"Just as we hope to see multiple engine suppliers with different configurations and displacements, we also hope to create a framework that will allow us to see a varied and ever-changing grid of racing machines in a sustainable, cost-controlled and high-value manner," he said.

Partel said he expects a prototype to be available for on-track testing in August.

"Today's unveiling gives us four exciting and competing concepts for the IZOD IndyCar Series," said Barnhart, who was joined at the unveiling by Indy Racing League CEO Randy Bernard, league commercial division president Terry Angstadt, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation CEO Jeffrey Belskus and league vice president of marketing John Lewis. "Each raises different challenges and each offers new direction."

Since 2007, Indy Racing League officials have entertained presentations - including fully funded projects by students at the Art Center of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit - geared toward the next generation of chassis for the IZOD IndyCar Series. For months, the sanctioning body has been in discussions with DeltaWing, Dallara, Lola and Swift Engineering about designing, manufacturing and supplying the new chassis to replace the Dallara introduced in 2003.

"Each raises different challenges, and each offers new direction," Barnhart said. "As always, the safety of our drivers, crews and spectators is the No. 1 priority. Other factors the league has laid out are cost and economic viability, raceable, American made, less mass/more efficient, relevant technology, modern look and green. Each of the four will be evaluated using these criteria. We are excited by the challenge before us and now begins the process to work through each of the four contenders to decide on the program that best serves the long-term interest of the sport."

Graham Rahal, among several IZOD IndyCar Series drives and team owners attending the launch, looked at the DeltaWing from multiple angles and attempted to mentally picture himself behind the wheel at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"The design is revolutionary," said Rahal, 21. "We have never seen an open-wheel racing car that looks like this. Is it going to be newsworthy? Yes. Is it going to catch eyeballs? Yes. Plus, there's good space for sponsors on it. From a driver's point of view, from all the simulations I've heard about, the performance of the car is not going to be a concern at all."

Said Dreyer & Reinbold Racing co-owner and former IZOD IndyCar Series driver Robbie Buhl: "From the team owner side of things, as we look to the future we have to get things in line with what the cost is to compete here. And if we can do that, it's going to open us up to a lot more people being a part of this business, and that opens up to a greater fan base, too."

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Lola's 2012 design solutions offer ChampCar-esque visual cues as seen here, and one that looks similar to the current naturally-aspirated IndyCar with a larger engine cover


In Lola's twin-use scenario, the blue areas (tub and nose) would be universal between the IndyCar and Indy Lights series


~~~Lola Cars unveiled the final 2012 IndyCar chassis today, completing an array of cars proposed by Dallara, Swift, and Delta Wing. Bearing strong visual cues to the modern generation of cars fielded in ChampCar and the IndyCar Series, Lola's proposal is unique in that the carbon fiber IndyCar tub and nose could also be used in Indy Lights, provided the series adopts the design.

While costs for the IndyCar/Lights package were not provided, Lola did follow the theme of expressing a desire to have the proposed 2012 car build in America. The Italian Dallara firm made the same overtures in their 2012 reveal on February 5th. Swift, based in California, and Delta Wing, based in Indianapolis, would produce their cars domestically, provided their designs are ratified.

Lola's release touched on a number of items that the legendary British constructor feels will make their design a leading candidate for 2012:
(1)Delivering advanced technology and capturing the legendary IndyCar spirit with practical affordability, Lola USA today announce additional detail and present the first images of the proposed Lola B12/00 and B12/01 IndyCars for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series...........
(2)The ‘total solution’ package will deliver two attractive and aero performance balanced racecars that will deliver a return to close and gladiatorial racing. Safety, efficiency, styling and affordability have been at the forefront of the Lola special projects team that have been working on this project throughout 2009 to date................
(3)At the heart of Lola’s proposal is the dual body style concept developed extensively by Lola engineers. This work has already received very positive comments from the IndyCar fan fraternity. This concept will give exciting visual variety to the IZOD IndyCar grid and stimulate teams, drivers and fans alike.

The two styles highlighted in the image will be performance matched but use the same common chassis. Parity in aero performance will be maintained across the ride height range to ensure that no advantage is gained by either kit. Both styles of cars can be raced without technical advantage and with different engines. Common parts throughout will enable teams to switch upper surface styles should they choose to do so.

The Lola chassis for IndyCar will achieve cohesion by being eligible for the Firestone Indy Lights Championship. This will in essence mean that Indy Lights teams will be able to graduate more cost effectively to the IZOD Indycar Series and teams will find it more commercially attractive to enter cars in each series and to entice new entries in to competition.

In addition, the ease of changing the car specifications from one series to the other will ensure high quality and full entries for the Indy 500. Central to Lola’s extensive aerodynamic research has been the necessity to guarantee close and exciting racing. Wheel to wheel duels on the variety of circuits that the IZOD Indycar Series races on will become the norm rather than the exception.

Focusing on the rear under-body of the Lola Indycar, designers have found a cost effective and simple breakthrough to ensure that there is a minimum wake for following car. This means that drafting and slipstreaming will be in the drivers own hands rather than that of the aerodynamics itself.

As well as releasing more technical detail Lola today also confirm that they will be selecting a new assembly facility in the USA. Discussions with US business partners for component supply are at an advanced level. Lola are mindful of supporting as many existing US jobs as can be achieved through this opportunity.

Lola have been working with and commissioned high-tech universities to work on environmentally sustainable materials and other green technologies. Maximum effort will also be utilised by Lola engineers to ensure that minimum energy is lost by the racecars when on track.

"For Lola it is imperative that fans enjoy the cars and a great racing spectacle at trackside and on TV,” said Lola Executive Chairman, Martin Birrane. “Lola have endeavored to capture the great spirit and heritage of IndyCar racing in its thorough commercial and engineering studies. With its vast experience in producing powerful single seaters Lola are proud to be considered as a partner in writing the next chapter for the IndyCar nation.”