Indycar News & Rumors.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Nashville is officially confirmed and will take place on August 6-8, next year.

https://racer.com/2020/09/16/indycar...race-for-2021/

[broadrun96]

I have to say, not so interesting really. I guess the late brakers maybe but meh to the base design. But I'll still watch of course.

[rustyfan]

Reminds me of the proposed Miami GP circuit.

I kinda like it. I also think it'll be nice to see a new street circuit.

[S griffin]

We'll see how well it suits the Indycars. Interesting experiment though. I just hope it is does the business

[fieldodreams79]

Looks like streets around a parking lot, not so fun, then zooming across the Cumberland, which I don't think gets approved somehow, but looks fun. Turn around and come back. Kinda bonkers looking, which may not suit actual racing but might be good fun to watch.

[NaBUru38]

I'm all in!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I have to say, not so interesting really. I guess the late brakers maybe but meh to the base design. But I'll still watch of course.

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Looks like streets around a parking lot, not so fun, then zooming across the Cumberland, which I don't think gets approved somehow, but looks fun. Turn around and come back. Kinda bonkers looking, which may not suit actual racing but might be good fun to watch.

That is a bizarre layout, I can't wait to see what it looks like in reality with cars going around. It needs a nickname though, I'm thinking "The Ladle"

[broadrun96]

All I can think of with The Ladle is the Ray Romano old bit. But I like it, think we should send that to RM for the mailbag.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Mclaughlin confirmed for St. Pete.

https://racer.com/2020/09/17/penske-...n-for-st-pete/

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

That is a bizarre layout, I can't wait to see what it looks like in reality with cars going around. It needs a nickname though, I'm thinking "The Ladle"

that's better than skinny dipper!

[Armco Bender]

Mclaughlin confirmed for St. Pete.

Even the sheep are excited...
This should be worth waiting for.

[broadrun96]

Indy confirms 10k for Harvest GP. From Racer:

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will welcome up to 10,000 fans for the October 1-4 Harvest Grand Prix NTT IndyCar Series event.

Two fan zones will be created in the Turn 1 and Turn 4, where groups of 5,000 tickets will be sold for each region in the oval grandstands. According to IMS, attendees will receive a mask and hand sanitizer in an effort to ensure safety protocols are followed.

https://racer.com/2020/09/18/10000-f...ar-harvest-gp/


Also for those who desire an interesting item with history, all the 2020 May Indy 500 gear is 50% off at the IMS store.

[RWill2073]

That Nashville layout doesn't look real. They're going to go over a bridge? Is that even allowed with these cars? What happens if they touch wheels and get airborne?

But I am very interested in seeing this. Kinda looks like reversing direction might make a few corners better for passing.

[broadrun96]

I'm guessing there will be lots of chain link catch fencing along the bridge as installed around ovals.

[fieldodreams79]

I still don't think it gets approved to go over the bridge. Either for safety or b/c Nashville liberals won't allow for whatever reason they come up with.

I also wonder what the actual surface condition is. Built in 2004, it is Korean Veterans Blvd Bridge and here's a great look at it.

https://depositphotos.com/208010724/...boulevard.html

I'd like to reserve a seat on top of the bridge, please. If this happens, I wanna go.

[RWill2073]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I still don't think it gets approved to go over the bridge. Either for safety or b/c Nashville liberals won't allow for whatever reason they come up with.

I also wonder what the actual surface condition is. Built in 2004, it is Korean Veterans Blvd Bridge and here's a great look at it.

https://depositphotos.com/208010724/...boulevard.html

I'd like to reserve a seat on top of the bridge, please. If this happens, I wanna go.

Haha, yeah.... looking at that pic, I dont see that happening. They'd have a lot of safety issues it looks like. Doesn't even look to have much of a barrier at the edge as is, like less than many bridges have.

Could just go with the default: the cars are passing by each other going both directions. How can they possibly socially distance then? Shut it down for covid concerns!

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

Haha, yeah.... looking at that pic, I dont see that happening. They'd have a lot of safety issues it looks like. Doesn't even look to have much of a barrier at the edge as is, like less than many bridges have.

Could just go with the default: the cars are passing by each other going both directions. How can they possibly socially distance then? Shut it down for covid concerns!

I see double central Jersey barrier with catch fencing facing "out" (or in, however you look at it) and a single barrier inside the outer edge of the bridge with the same catch fencing. It seems doable, but certainly pushing the envelope, which generally not in favor of on temp circuits, but how cool would it be see?!!

[broadrun96]

I'm confused as the Indy track guy has been involved in the design with Indy officials and Roger. Who else needs to approve it, Indy doesn't answer to the FIA I don't think.

That said, making it work seems a huge ask for Indy now as it has no government money in it.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm confused as the Indy track guy has been involved in the design with Indy officials and Roger. Who else needs to approve it, Indy doesn't answer to the FIA I don't think.

That said, making it work seems a huge ask for Indy now as it has no government money in it.

Fair point on approval. Maybe the drivers will have a say? But who listens to them? And you know things on paper vs reality are two things....

Still seems like a tall order, but game on imho.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I still don't think it gets approved to go over the bridge. Either for safety or b/c Nashville liberals won't allow for whatever reason they come up with.

I also wonder what the actual surface condition is. Built in 2004, it is Korean Veterans Blvd Bridge and here's a great look at it.

https://depositphotos.com/208010724/...boulevard.html

I'd like to reserve a seat on top of the bridge, please. If this happens, I wanna go.

My wife was just saying yesterday she wants to go to Nashville at some point, this might be that point!

But how wide is that bridge? Cars have to go both ways on it!

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

My wife was just saying yesterday she wants to go to Nashville at some point, this might be that point!

But how wide is that bridge? Cars have to go both ways on it!

Check the link in the previous post; good look at the bridge. Total 4 or 6 lanes; it's doable.

[S griffin]

I'm sure they've made sure the bridge is wide enough. They wouldn't do it unless they thought so. They are not stupid

[NaBUru38]

IndyCar is in good standing with FIA as member of the ACCUS.

[S griffin]

Of course the FIA doesn’t run Indycars, but it does have some regulations for it to adhere. But thankfully the Indycar organisers do things their way

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Of course the FIA doesn’t run Indycars, but it does have some regulations for it to adhere. But thankfully the Indycar organisers do things their way

Yeah, I think Cotman, who sits on the track group at the FIA, does Indy's track work for the series themselves. I don't think they need to have an FIA inspector come out to sign off. He was involved in the design so there's no one above him to deny the bridge idea.

That said, the city needs to sign off on the plan and the road use. There's some rumbles in the Nashville press if the council changes parties there may be some push back against closing a major access point for a couple weeks. But nothing other than hints and possibles.