Indycar News & Rumors.

[Nikki Katz]

Originally Posted by Alex K

Any news from Carlin shop? Did not turn up at post season test in Lights, no official news on ics programme. anyone?

They're re-entering F2. I think that IndyCar's looking a bit less likely now, but you never know.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Higher degradation tyres for 2018.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133485

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Alex K

Any news from Carlin shop? Did not turn up at post season test in Lights, no official news on ics programme. anyone?

https://www.racer.com/more/viewpoint...nda-racing-hpd

Q: I would have thought that [Carlin/Chilton] would have had a solid package together by now. You think it will happen?

Robin Miller: Absolutely. I gave up emailing Max back in October and I'm not really sure why the secrecy or delay, but from everything I've been told it's a go with Max, Charlie and Trevor Carlin – which is great.

But there also could be a hang-up because the engine situation isn't settled yet. I think Chilton and Kimball want Honda but not sure they can be accommodated since Honda already is supplying 12 for 2018. Just a guess.

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar considering points change for the 500.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133535

[bjohnsonsmith]

Munoz will drive for Andretti Autosport, in next year's 500.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133597

[D.R.T.]

Mammoth effort from Andretti.

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar plan to test its shield cockpit protection system at February's open test at Phoenix.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133638

[bjohnsonsmith]

Honda against hybrid IndyCar engines. Though Honda Performance Development are responsible for Honda's IndyCar programme and are a separate entity from Honda's F1 programme, I wonder if this has something to Honda's unhappy experience with McLaren?

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133645

[Alex K]

I would have thought it's something to do with the costs of already stretched team budgets and inability of securing much needed extra sponsorship.

[TheMightyM]

The latest on the future of the Belle Isle race from the Detroit Metro Times: “Why environmentalist are calling for a study of Belle Isle Grand Prix.” The first two paragraphs:

Like all large parks, Belle Isle is a place for many things, and different bits of programming and infrastructure express competing visions for what the park is and what it should be. The ongoing debate over the presence of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix auto race on the island is a prime example of such conflicts, pitting racing enthusiasts against those who believe a park should provide a reprieve from the noisy world of the city.

For hundreds of thousands of migrating and nesting birds, the island park is something more vital still — a lynchpin in their struggle for survival. The island sanctuary is an important habitat in the midst of miles of concrete and attracts a number of birds, including shorebirds, waterfowl, owls, woodpeckers and songbirds. These birds either visit during their migrations — the Detroit River is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and the Atlantic flyways — or raise their young here during the summer, taking advantage of the island's varied ecologies.

[S griffin]

Shame, it’s a good setting to host a race, maybe too good by the sounds of it

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Alex K

I would have thought it's something to do with the costs of already stretched team budgets and inability of securing much needed extra sponsorship.

The some of the cost of developing anything new, is always going to passed on to the teams and I'm sure a hybrid engine, especially with the problems Honda had in F1 with the hybrid engine, is something teams would rather not have to pay for.

Having said that, is a hybrid engine something IndyCar needs to pursue? If it's about setting a greener agenda in motorsport, then IndyCar has been much greener than F1 in pursuing that. IndyCar uses Ethanol 85, which is made from 85% ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline, while F1 still uses gasoline.

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar still looking for a third engine manufacturer, as well as having the season start in February.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133676

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

The some of the cost of developing anything new, is always going to passed on to the teams and I'm sure a hybrid engine, especially with the problems Honda had in F1 with the hybrid engine, is something teams would rather not have to pay for.

Having said that, is a hybrid engine something IndyCar needs to pursue? If it's about setting a greener agenda in motorsport, then IndyCar has been much greener than F1 in pursuing that. IndyCar uses Ethanol 85, which is made from 85% ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline, while F1 still uses gasoline.

But what kind of ethanol is it? Corn ethanol is NOT that green, is about even with gasoline overall as a production product. The sole benefit is it is actually renewable. Indycar used to use Brazilian ethanol which is almost 100% waste product produced fuel. Sugar cane scrap is turned in to fuel, an otherwise waste product they have to dispose of and found a good use for their trash. The old ALMS fuel was an early switchgrass fuel, needs much less in the way of resources to produce and is a natural product of the upper plains. Not sure what the current IMSA fuel source is but think they and the ACO use a similar source with different ratios, or used to use a similar product but things change with sponsor changes.

But a hybrid system in Indycar? Prob not in the near future, although I could see a Cosworth/Zytek(Gibson)/etc common system at a later date possibly if interest inside the series grew. But not sure how a hybrid would actually be worth much in oval racing. And making a hybrid for just street and road courses seems a good way to send smaller teams packing.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

But what kind of ethanol is it? Corn ethanol is NOT that green, is about even with gasoline overall as a production product. The sole benefit is it is actually renewable. Indycar used to use Brazilian ethanol which is almost 100% waste product produced fuel. Sugar cane scrap is turned in to fuel, an otherwise waste product they have to dispose of and found a good use for their trash. The old ALMS fuel was an early switchgrass fuel, needs much less in the way of resources to produce and is a natural product of the upper plains. Not sure what the current IMSA fuel source is but think they and the ACO use a similar source with different ratios, or used to use a similar product but things change with sponsor changes.

But a hybrid system in Indycar? Prob not in the near future, although I could see a Cosworth/Zytek(Gibson)/etc common system at a later date possibly if interest inside the series grew. But not sure how a hybrid would actually be worth much in oval racing. And making a hybrid for just street and road courses seems a good way to send smaller teams packing.

IndyCar used sugarcane ethanol supplied by Apex-Brasil, in partnership with UNICA (the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association), from 2009 renewing their contract in 2014. The opening round of the 2010 season at São Paulo, used E100. In 2011 Sunoco became the official fuel supplier to IndyCar and were to continue working with APEX-Brasil and UNICA to provide ethanol for the series. I haven't found anything to say that still isn't the case, though the Iowa Corn 300 is the only race to use corn ethanol produced from locally grown corn.

Ethanol is supposed to produce less CO2 emissions, though it has been put forward there is no economic or environmental benefits to corn ethanol fuels and that the sole motivation for E85 was to subsidize the US corn industry.

Regarding the ACO and IMSA, the ACO use either petrol or 4 stroke diesel. IMSA have a contract with VP Racing Fuels, who supply the series with VP’s Motorsport 100™, or MS100, which is unleaded gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol. E20 blend is an alternative fuel that is for IMSA’s GT Le Mans class.

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar and Dallara to discuss replacement for IR12 after Indy 500.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133730

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

IndyCar and Dallara to discuss replacement for IR12 after Indy 500.

http://classic.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/133730

What? Indycar is planning ahead with years to hash things out, that doesn't sound right to me

[S griffin]

Maybe they can bring back multi chassis, but they probably won’t

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Maybe they can bring back multi chassis, but they probably won’t

Oh there's no chance of that happening I'd think. Dallara has way too much at stake to not pressure Indycar to stick with their car and the cash flow that comes with it being the sole car.

[Alex K]

But, IndyCar could attempt a tender for new chassis whenever. Whoever wins gets a contract. Dallara, Swift, Tatuus, Onroak, ORECA, Dome, an F1 team, etc. you never know, Dallara's offer may have not been the cheapest/best.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Maybe they can bring back multi chassis, but they probably won’t

I would like to see another chassis manufacturer but I doubt it. If another chassis manufacturer were to come along, what proportion of the field would they need to supply to be profitable and recover R&D costs?

However, if it does come down to one manufacturer, I would like to see some variation, depending on which engine a team is using but nothing quite as radical as the aero-kits, that were used recently. Something more on the lines of Lola's bid, back in 2010.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Alex K

But, IndyCar could attempt a tender for new chassis whenever. Whoever wins gets a contract. Dallara, Swift, Tatuus, Onroak, ORECA, Dome, an F1 team, etc. you never know, Dallara's offer may have not been the cheapest/best.

If they do open it up to other chassis manufacturers, I hope they don't do what the Iconic committee did back in 2010 and just give it to Dallara. There were some better concepts than theirs. Particularaly Lola's with their universal tub, which could be used for both IndyCar and Indy Lights.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

If they do open it up to other chassis manufacturers, I hope they don't do what the Iconic committee did back in 2010 and just give it to Dallara. There were some better concepts than theirs. Particularaly Lola's with their universal tub, which could be used for both IndyCar and Indy Lights.

That is definitely a better future plan for Indy, a combo chassis that is something teams can use for over 5 years. I know it's not F1 and chassis of the year but Indycar can't afford to follow that path.

And a combo chassis could actually allow a real bump day with Lights teams pushing each other to make 'the big show' or make a race in a sponsor specific market.

[bjohnsonsmith]

IndyCar officially launched the 2018 car with the Universal Aero Kit, at the North American International Auto Show. A series-wide open test is scheduled for Feb. 9-10 at Phoenix. Teams can test until shortly before the 2018 season opener, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 11.

http://www.indycar.com/News/2018/01/...-unveil-follow

[JHamilton]

Is this where we talk about Hinch and Leena Gade teaming up or did I miss that elsewhere? Because I think that could be epic.